A twist of events

This isn't easy, but I need to talk about this.

My dad has been sick since the end of January with what sounded like an upper respiratory infection. I personally thought it was bronchitis because of how his cough sounded (I know it well since I've had it three times since college). He could hardly hold a normal conversation with people because he was coughing so much. But he went to the doctor and they gave him an antibiotic. Which didn't work...Another one, and it still didn't work. I think they got up to three or four and no response.

By then it was March and no progress had been made. He finally got referred to a pulmonologist and went in for testing. Nothing was found in his lungs and they were functioning normal for his age. They thought he might have acid reflux, so they put him on Prilosec to help with that. While he was at the doctor, they did some blood work and found out he was anemic. His count was around 8 or 9 and is supposed to be at 12. They started him on iron supplements and wanted to see what happened. He started to get really tired cause his iron levels were low and such.

I'm not sure what exactly prompted this, but somehow he went in to the doctor to get a colonoscopy. I think they were just wanting to inspect more since the Prilosec wasn't working and the coughing was still there.

Last Tuesday, my mom, dad and his girlfriend Kay found out that my dad has stage four colon cancer. I found out on Wednesday while my mom was down in Oklahoma moving me to my first apartment. He had to tell me over the phone, but I'm glad she was there.

For those of you who don't really know my family dynamic, my parents divorced when I was about 2. They have remained very close over the years (as far as divorced parents go) and my dad actually contacted my mom for help when going to doctor's appointments. The three of them have attended almost every appointment together and have each other's backs I guess you could say. It's sounds strange to anyone else I'm sure, but it's been my life for a while so I guess I'm used to it.

They are going in with chemo to shrink the cancer before they try to operate. He gets a "site" put in his body near his heart to hook up to the chemo. The chemo should start in a few weeks, and they doctor said he shouldn't lose his hair.

Tuesday he is getting a full body and brain scan done to make sure the cancer isn't anywhere else. They are also taking cells from his liver to make sure it hasn't spread there.

Anyways, the point of this post is to just let my very slim amount of readers know that I need your help. My family is in need of your prayers right now.

My dad has asked specifically for strength while his body endures this. He is changing his diet a lot to help beat the cancer. His doctor's and our family is confident that he will beat the cancer and we aren't letting anyone else tell us any different.

My Aunt Susan was diagnosed with several types of cancer at the same time 20 years ago and was given 7 years to live. She is now 51, healthy and cancer free. We have a lot of hope.

Just please pray when you have the time. Our God can work miracles when we give him all the power.