A week ago, my mom called. The routine test my dad had a few weeks ago's results were back. There is cancer. That was all we knew for a whole week. Cancer. No details. I tried to stay away from Google, because really it never helps. You find out the worst things that have happened. People who had easy going experiences never take the time to sit down and write about it.
Today was his first appointment to figure out a strategy. Thankfully, I was off work and could attend with my parents. We heard lots of numbers and options. The doctor was great and took his time explaining everything, not something that happens often at the VA Hospital. The VA has done a lot of great things for us, but quick and caring are usually never two words I use to describe them. Today was different. I actually liked the doctor speaking to us.
My dad has stage 2 prostate cancer, stage T2 nxmx to be specific. His Gleason Grade is 7. 6 is the lowest and 10 is the highest. His PSA is 3.4. This is good. It means that the cancer has not spread.
There were lots of options; surgery, radiation, cryotherapy, hormone therapy, and of course waiting and watching. Since he is a 7, not a 6, they don't like to wait and watch. The other therapies are not really offered at the VA, as they don't really agree with them. He is not a great candidate for surgery, because of his health otherwise. Radiation is our best option.
He will be going through 8 weeks of radiation. Five sessions a week. Forty sessions total.
Our next step is a consultation appointment with the radiation doctor. In the mean time, lots of good thoughts that this will work. We have caught this early and can "beat" it.
I just needed to get this all down in an organized manner.
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