I’ve never shared this on my blog before and honestly we really don’t discuss it much within my inner family circle…
April 17, 2009, just 2 months after his 60th birthday, my dad was hospitalized for about 2 weeks for pain in his chest – which was total devastation for both my mom and dad since he was the sole bread-winner for the family.
He was having difficulty breathing and lots of pain in his chest (which is the only reason he went to the doc because he’s not the “go to the doctor” type of person – once he left is shoulder out of socket for a whole week before going to the doctor!)
Anyways…. After many many tests and multiple false diagnoses, they found that he had 3 different infections which in turn had caused the build up of fluid in his lungs. (Something like that, I’m not a doctor y’all)
However the infections (one which was cause by the spores in dirt, which shouldn’t be an issue to healthy people) were caused by a lowered immune system. And the lowered immune system was caused by….
…que the dramatic organ music — DUN DUN DUNNN…
CANCER!
Cancer is a scary word for anyone at any age. He was diagnosed with CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) which is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). The lymphocytes are not able to fight infection very well which can result in other infections, anemia, and easy bleeding.
Luckily, if you’re going to have cancer, this is a “good” type to have. Some patients live for decades with no need for treatment for their disease.
Even scarier for me, the strongest risk factors for the development of CLL, is a family history… because it’s GENETIC!! My dad was diagnosis at a fairly young age. Most people aren’t diagnosed until after age 65.
Typically children of a parent with CLL are diagnosed younger than that of the parents generation. 14 years sooner than that of other cases (about age 58).
My dad is now 63, going on 64 next March, and for the moment is in fairly good health. With help from my mom, he has been eating an “immune strengthening” diet, staying away from sick people, and was able to resume working as a carpenter. (Hard work for a 60+ year old man with cancer! Especially with this economy.)
My dad is the strongest person I know and he WON’T go down without a fight!
Here’s to many more long, healthy, HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!!!
*This post is sponsored by American Cancer Society.
Happy Birthday to your Dad! That’s wonderful that he takes care of himself and he is doing so well. I hope he has many, many more birthdays ahead of him!
Happy birthday! Cancer is terrible. My dad would have been 65 this year. Make sure you take advantage of every moment you have with him.
Very sorry to hear that, my dad has had cancer 3 times in 2 years, and dosn’t go to the doctor either, he had half his foot removed 2 years ago, then it came on his face, then he had prostate cancer and a few weeks ago was diagnosed with throat cancer, so I know the C word is evil and more and more people are getting it, my 19 year old god daughter had non hodgkins lymphonia (spelling?) and was misdiagnosed for 2 years and then she had a breast agumentation and wouldn’t heal and when they found it she was in stage 4, a young and vibrant girl having the time of her life! So I hope you have many years with your dad and you probably will as my precious Jenny and my dad are both still with me:) Your dad sure looks good you wouldn’t know he was ill always a good thing:) such a cute picture.
i’m wishing your dad many more birthday cakes & candles!
polly~.
Thank you!
Great post Amy!
Thank you! 🙂
(((((many hugs) and prayers that your dad remains healthy and strong for many years to come. I lost my dad very unexpectedly in October.
So sorry to hear that. 🙁 Thanks for your comment.
I love your positive spin on it, and I’m so glad that his kind of cancer is one where he can live and live and live! Happy Birthday to your wonderful daddy!