Bittersweet Holidays . . .

The following is an excerpt from an email concerning my father that my mother sent out to family and friends today:

"As we got closer to Christmas this year Ken's health took center stage. Before we left for New Mexico he had gone to the Drs. for a sinus infection. During that visit she noticed a small lump on the right side of his neck. Ken had not been aware of it and she suggested that he should keep an eye on it saying that it might go away with the sinus medicine she was prescribing. The week before Christmas, Ken noticed that the lump had increased in size dramatically to the size of a plum. He was able to see a Dr at our local clinic the next day( Dec 20) who immediately referred him to a specialists at Bethesda Naval Hospital where he was seen by the ENT clinic the following day. He came home with the news that it was a cancerous tumor which they would need to biopsy on the day after Christmas to evaluate whether is was a sarcoma, lymphoma or carcinoma. Needless to say we were stunned and scared as we headed into Christmas.

On the 26th Ken and I went together back to Bethesda where they took 4 tissue samples. He had to be off his blood thinner for several days before they could do this procedure hence the delay till after Christmas. We were also able to discuss with the Dr. what we could expect and what he thought it might be. We left there thinking we wouldn't know the pathology results until next week, but on Thursday evening the Dr. called and said they had the results and he wanted to meet with us on Friday ( yesterday 28, Dec) to discuss them with us. Ken had earlier been scheduled for colonoscopy on Friday so we met with the Dr early in the AM before that procedure.

We were told that Ken has a stage 3 Squamous cell carcinoma.(neck and head cancer) The tumor on his neck is a secondary tumor and not the original source of the cancer. They will be doing other biopsies on the 2d of January to hopefully find the tumor of origin. He will be put out for this biopsy as it will be a very extensive search of his mouth, throat and nose. They will take several tissue samples and more than likely remove his tonsils. It's very important that they find the original tumor although that is not always possible. He will then be seen by both medical and radiation oncology, speech pathology and the dental clinic then a tumor board will meet (consisting of all these different departments) to evaluate their findings and to decide on his treatment.

The treatment will most likely be 6 weeks of radiation therapy (5 days a week) followed up with some chemotherapy then a reevaluation to see if it worked. Surgery is also a possibility but not likely. We clearly are going to get to know Bethesda Naval Hospital really well. We've been very impressed with the Drs there and their quick response to this situation. We are not looking forward to the 60 + mile round trip drive to Bethesda on a daily basis but have decided that we feel confident and comfortable with the Doctors there rather than apply to be treated closer to our home."

So, it is with this very sad news that our holidays - though joyous on many accounts - also become bittersweet. My dad is an amazing and strong man. I do not doubt that with his determination and stubborn will that he will fight and beat this cancer. But, I also know it will be a tough fight filled with ups and downs. I take my place, at his side, as his daughter, and biggest cheerleader. You can do this dad! You can beat cancer!

Please, when there's a quiet moment in your day, say a little prayer for my dad. Thanks!