my dad's cancer

so i know i have a lazy bum when it comes to keeping everyone up to date on this... so here's a go....

my dad had a bone scan on valentine's day (last thursday) to see if his prostate cancer had spread to his bones and the prostate surrounding area. we had a wedding in bozeman to go to (for the saint & the night prophet (congrats!)) on saturday, came home on sunday.

we found out the results of the scan on monday. so far so good. no spread.

dad had surgery on tuesday morning. he had lymph nodes on both sides (surrounding his prostate) removed, the whole entire prostate removed, and some random tissues. they have to go to pathology where they will look at it under a microscope and see if he needs radiation or further surgeries. we will know the results if not by tonight, then by tomorrow (thursday) around noon. but right now, we are looking at NO radiation and a recovery time CUT IN HALF from the projected time.

i spent the whole day yesterday at the hospital... except for about 2 hours where i got him flowers and such from the family. i got to see him after his surgery in the recovery room. he looked pale, clammy, and kind of reminded me of a lost little kid. he was VERY doped up on morphine and kept telling me about his surgery.... referring to his cut as his sabre wound from fighting the pirate johnny depp (in his defense he was watching pirates of the caribbean 3 the night before his surgery). apparently him & johnny were in some sort of duel... i have no idea. blame the morphine.
anyway.

so then he got moved to the med/surg floor (in missoula's community hospital (just fyi if you're curious)) and was continually (as in every 2 hours) pumped full of more morphine. so he was in and out of sleepiness. but by the end of our time there (9pm), we were able to help him to sit on the edge of the bed, etc... that's apparently REALLY good. so he is doing exceptionally well. his nurses are surprised. he likes complaining (according to his head nurse) that he only gets broth and juice right now and how he can't have a smoke. she laughs at him and tells him to imagine his chicken broth as a porterhouse. he grunts and says "tastes like chicken".... all the nurses on his floor like him and think he's "a hoot"....

they expect him home by tomorrow afternoon, barring any kind of change (ie: the pathology report).

we're going back here in a little bit and will be there until probably about 7:30pm.... my phone is on vibrate, so you can still get ahold of me. mom, j, and i are emotionally drained.... there was a point when we were at the hospital and we STILL didn't know anything and it was VERY frusterating. so after yesterday, some tears, and lots of hugs, we are doing much better. dad is up to having visitors, phone calls, and conversation.

keep in touch ya'll!

cheers,
the debutante