The Results

It took about a week to get the results.  They were good.  Even Dr. Ravi was surprised, he originally gave daddy six to eight months, when the dye went trhough the kidneys into the tube, showing that the cancer had not spread and daddy only needed to have the kidney removed and then start the chemo he felt it would add some more time.

By this time one of us or all of us went with momma and daddy for any doctor appointment.  I think it use to bother him.  Maybe he felt we were treating him as a child or not trusting him, but we were not taking any more chances.  We were there whether he liked it or not. 

The surgery was scheduled in October to remove the kidney, first week.  One week after the family picnic and the Filipino dinner.  We were all a little more hopeful.  Maybe daddy would beat this cancer just like he believed he could and in the back of our minds we kept thinking he would be the one to do it.

Knee Surgery

Years ago, maybe twenty years ago, daddy had to have a knee replacement.  He kept trying to put it off but finally decided to go through with it.  Daddy has not been in the hospital ever, I don't think he was even born in a hospital and when we were born they didn't let dad's in the room till after the birth.  No hospital as a patient, just a visitor.  Daddy dresses for his surgery.  Sweat pants.  The importance of sweat pants didn't mean anything at the moment but when he registered and started prep for the surgery, he proceeded to lift the sweat pant on the leg for knee surgery and told them he was ready.  Ha! Ha!  Boy was he upset when he found out he had to totally undress for a "knee" surgery. 

Later, after the surgery the doctor informed him that after the anesthesia wore off he would have some pain so they provided him with a liquid codiene that was suppose to last seven days.  NOT.  The anesthesia wore off and he couldn't drink it fast enough in a day and a half.  Luckily the doctor renewed the prescription and he made this one last till the end of week.

"kidneys"

We our having our meeting with the oncologist.  First they will need to insert some dye and take an MRI of daddy's kidney.  The doctor needs to check to see if the dyes flows through the kidney and out to the vein.  It it does, that's a good thing.  It means there is no blockage and a good chance the cancer hasn't spread to other areas.  The funny thing is that daddy is totally claustrophobic.  We didn't know this till a few years ago when he had to do a MRI for prostate.  They asked him if he would be okay, because momma usually gets sedated and she warned him it could get claustrophobic.  Daddy said no problem.  Well "John" put him on the table, set the  music and told him, "okay Ray, if you get nervous just knock on the wall and we'll pull you out."  Slowly they pull him into the tube, bam!  Daddy starts screaming and kicking.  "Get me the hell out of here John!"  Claustrophobic. 

Another MRI but this time they said his whole body wouldn't go in and it would be a circle MRI.