Hi Everyone!
Well we went to Madison on Wednesday and we were hoping for good news and we got the best news we could have possibly heard!! We first talked to a nurse and a medical student who were both extremely friendly and knowledgeable. We were extremely impressed with the professionalism and concern we received from everyone in Madison. When the surgeon we were meeting with came in, she was very knowledgeable and friendly. She said we definitely did not want surgery because there was only a 50/50 chance of survival with my dad's condition and stage of cancer. She did however tell us about PDT which is Photo dynamic Therapy. She said that this is what she recommended for the bleeding. This is a procedure where they go down the throat (of course my dad would be put under) and they shoot a laser beam which is susceptible to this medicine that they would first give my dad in the vein. The medicine is only soaked up by tumors or cancer cells which makes the laser beam not able to harm any other area. This procedure can be done as many times as needed and the doctor had no doubt in it working. It is a 3-4 day procedure and we will go to Madison to get it done. We don't have any appointments set up yet but working on it. If that for some reason doesn't work we do have some options with inserting a stent as well, so the PDT isn't our only option either!
The PDT can be done with chemotherapy which is also a positive. My dad is planning on getting back on chemo as soon as possible. And we've had some other good news, the bleeding hasn't been as bad lately! We haven't needed a transfusion since Saturday which is great! We are going to go ahead with this PDT procedure no matter what though because it will hopefully prevent future bleeding and will shrink the tumor back making it easier to swallow and set the cancer back.
We would like to thank our doctors, nurses, and other medical staff at AMC. We were told by the doctors in Madison that we were getting EXCEPTIONAL care at AMC. They talked very highly of the treatment plans Dr. Guenther has set my dad up with and was very, very impressed with the chemo regimens, etc. We were very glad to hear that! We wouldn't want any other oncologist!
Also, a few very cool things, I really believe that my uncle getting chosen to take the statue home from his church, my mom and dad's visit with Father John, their visit to the St. Perigrine Statue, Cory and my trip to Holy Hill, and my grandma and dad's sisters trip to the shrine in Green Bay, has helped us tremendously. Also the prayers from everyone else too!! KEEP THEM COMING, THEY ARE WORKING!! WE THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Also, my Aunt Honey told me a story yesterday that really meant a lot to me. My dad's dad took a very bad fall years ago when he was building a house. All of the doctors said he wasn't going to make it, but my dad's family refused to give up. They visited him, talked to him while he was in his coma, and prayed like crazy. My grandpa beat all of the odds and made it 17 years. He lived to be 87 years old. My Aunt Honey told me that she prayed for a miracle when my grandpa was in the coma. She said how she wasn't afraid to pray for a miracle, and why shouldn't you believe that you can get one. I was really touched by her saying this. My dad's sister's and my Grandma Pete went to a shrine in Green Bay yesterday and prayed for our miracle. We are praying for a miracle for my dad. I prayed for that same miracle last night and I ask everyone else to do the same. Pray for it with confidence, with the understanding that we may get one and we may not, but it is worth asking for.
I am going to stress again that my dad is such a fighter. He is so happy everyday, no matter the circumstances. He is really a model for life and how you should enjoy everyday no matter what. I think so many people could learn so much from his example. I am so proud of him and will stand behind him throughout his fight. He has taught me so much throughout life but has proved it through example in the last 9 months. I have such a respect for him and cannot even express how proud I am of him. Keep going Dad! I Believe in you and Love you so much!
"A daughter needs a dad to teach her that a man's strength is not the force of his hand or his voice, but the kindness of his heart. A daughter needs a dad to set a moral standard for her."
Dad, you have done both of these for me. I love you and am so proud of you. You are my hero, if my heart could talk about the meaning of that one word to me, it would talk forever. It would have the longest, most positive, loving definition ever. I love you so much Dad. Never give up! You will get that miracle, I believe in it!
Love you!!
Your little princess
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