Usually I like understanding new terms and concepts, but having to understand about PET/CT scans, biopsy, organ remove/replacement, liver regrowth, liver-gallbladder interaction, etc.. was not in my short term plans.
Evidently my father, now in his early 70′s, has developed cancer in his liver, or so the Dr’s think. Well, he didn’t intend to develop it – just kind of showed up. It started out when he developed an abdominal aneurysm. In preparing to have a stint inserted, images showed a spot on the liver. After successfully implanting the stint, the Dr’s turned their attention to treating the “spot”. Before they could really get started, the gallbladder (invented by Dr. Samuel Gall) acted up and had to be removed. Evidently that happens when treating the liver.
At any rate, Dad’s now minus a gallbladder, has had a stint inserted and although we won’t know until Thursday, it’s likely he’ll have to be treated for cancer. That’s just within the past 3 weeks. Talking to him on the phone tonight was the first time ever I recall him sounding frail. He’s always been a robust 6’2″ male, always into new things and being active. Sure, he’s slowed some and taken up more pastoral activities, but hardly frail.
He has the ability to do whatever he sets his mind to do and should all this turn out for the best, I know he’ll get better through sheer will alone, at which point I’m sure he’ll be introducing me to new terms around whatever new project he’s working on.
