Sunday, November 16, 2008

Still Waiting...

Good grief, it's been a long week!

Lots of emotional ups and downs around here. Thanks so much for all the prayers for my dad and for my family. I am very thankful.

I know I was vague about what was going on in my last post. That's because I had very little information at the time. Honestly, I still don't know a lot more than I did last week, but here's what I do know.

Last weekend, my dad was admitted to the hospital because he was extremely jaundiced. The ER doc did some tests and (carelessly, in my opinion) threw out the words "pancreatic cancer". That remains an unconfirmed diagnosis, but just hearing those words threw me into an emotional tailspin. This past Tuesday, the doctor did an outpatient procedure on my dad and put a stent in his bile duct. Something was causing it to constrict, therefore it wasn't able to drain, and that was causing his jaundice. While in there, the doctor was able to rule out some minor issues and to biopsy the inside of his bile duct.

The biopsy of his duct came back benign, but his C/T scan showed some suspicious growth on part of his pancreas, and that is likely what is growing and putting pressure on his bile duct and causing the constriction. Because they didn't biopsy his pancreas, we don't know for sure if that "spot" is malignant or not. That's where the "still waiting" part comes in.

He's scheduled for an endoscopic ultrasound in a few weeks. Not days...weeks. Until they go in there and take a look around and biopsy the pancreas, we don't really have a diagnosis. It may be contained in his pancreas, it may have spread to other places, it may be operable, it may not be. There are still SO many unanswered questions, and waiting is not an easy thing for me. Waiting from 1000+ miles away is even harder.

All of this is so frustrating, and needless to say, I've been in a bit of a funk this week. Knowing that people were praying was a relief and comfort, so again, thank you. I'm trying to remain hopeful.

15 comments:

Gretchen said...

Thanks for updating us, Mer. I can only imagine how difficult the waiting is. Of course I'll be praying. Sending prayers of peace your way. xxxooogretchen

Marc and Charity said...

Thanks for the update, I was wondering how he was doing. Praying for y'all.

Mama Voss said...

Stay strong and pray often.

Midway Records said...

Will pray for you and your family.

Judy said...

Waiting...ugh...still praying...

Unknown said...

Still praying for you guys... I know it must be agonizing being so far away. I pray that God have his way in this situation.

Julie said...

Mer, Thanks for the update. You've been on my heart all week.
I know how you feel, as you know...
with the news of my dad's lung disease. It's just something that knocks you....

I'm glad there have been some good reports in the midst of the waiting. My dad is still having tests too....

You are on my heart!
Julie

Michele said...

Meredith, I am still praying for your dad's healing and for you and your whole family. I am just praying that when the doctors get in there to do a biopsy, that there will be nothing to biopsy, that Jehovah Rapha (God who heals), will have already healed him.

I can't imagine how it must be to be so far away from him! I know that probably intensifies the fear all the more! I'm going to keep praying until you tell me to stop!

Tiffani said...

Keep those spirits up, sweet girl and I am thinking about you and praying for you and your family everyday!!

Meredith said...

Waiting is SO hard! I'm thinking of you and your family, praying for answers and good news.

Stephanie Kay said...

Praying!

Becca~CapturingSimpleJoys said...

Still praying for you and your family. It IS so hard to be away from family when your every waking thought is wanting to be right beside them. Hang in there.

Trish said...

I'm still praying!! For dr's widom and peace for you and your family!

Jenn said...

Your dad, you and your family are still on my heart and in my prayers. I am sorry he has to wait so long until his ultrasound.

Lori Motl said...

Add me to the list of those praying for him and your family. I pray that it is NOT cancer. I pray your family (especially your fathe)is spared that. I could say so much more, but until you know more, I'll leave it at that, except to say I do understand the fear and the powerful imagination you are dealing with. Cling to the fact the He is in control. God will be faithful.