My dad complained of leg pain about five weeks ago. After a week of no improvement he went to the ER. An xray was done and he followed-up with an orthopedic surgeon the next week. He was pronounced a healthy 72 year old, in fact his health history was boring. But if the pain continued he could get an MRI.
So one week later he got that MRI. Back to the orthopedic doctor. Though this visit was much different. He was told he had cancer on his spine and more tests would be needed to determine a full diagnosis.
Then on May 12th my Dad couldn't walk or move without extreme pain. He was admitted and over the next 48 hours he had xrays, CAT scan, bone scan and the diagnosis of lung cancer with other cancer in his spine, hip, and rib. The cancer on his hip had caused his hip to break and he was taken to surgery for a partial hip replacement.
Over the next four days we talked to many doctors. The plan was radiation for 10 days followed by chemo for about eight months. Dad had has first radiation treatment today for his non small cell lung cancer. The doctor told us this cancer will kill him, the question is when? We hope he will go in remission and enjoy his retirement and his grandkids. In this blog I want to record how our family survives this diagnosis.
