The Latest On My Dad

Here is a not-so-good update on my dad; sure wish I had better news to share.

From the last update I posted about my dad he did have the PET scan done on his liver. He was told the sugar solution in the IV would light up any cancer tumors and the spots on his liver didn't light up, so the report read there was no spread to the liver. He was told the cancer was Stage 2B or 3A.

On the 14th he went to the Moffitt Cancer Center for a repeat endoscopic ultrasound and cat scan. From that appt he was told the cancer had 'infiltrated' the portal vein and he most likely wouldn't be a candidate for the Whipple procedure. He had an appt with the surgeon scheduled for the 20th, but after the results of the endoscopic ultrasound that was canceled. My dad thought maybe after doing chemo and having it shrink from the portal vein they might be able to do the surgery after that.

On Thur he had an appt with the chemo dr at Moffitt. That dr asked my dad if anyone had given him the results of the cat scan that was done on the 14th; no one had yet.

He went over the cat scan and compared it to the original cat scan (the one that showed the spots on the liver and prompted the PET scan). This dr said the spots have not only increased in size, but increased in number and based on that this mean the spots in the liver were indeed cancerous...it has spread to the liver and is now classified as Stage 4.

I really don't understand all of these results; how the PET scan report determined the spots on the liver weren't cancerous because they didn't 'light up' but now the 2nd cat scan showed more spots, so it means it has spread.

I'm just in shock from thinking it hadn't spread to other organs and being Stage 2, to having it metastasize and being Stage 4.

I think my dad is starting chemo this week; and he also qualified for a clinical study that is just starting at Moffitt, but has been in use at other facilities.

My dad is trying to have a positive outlook on his prognosis and not accepting the 'timeline' that he was given. I'm trying to follow suit and remain positive as well.

I greatly appreciate any prayers you can offer up on my dad's behalf.