Good morning…
As I visited my parents in Ohio last week, my dad had a PET scan to test whether his active cancer spots were inside or outside of his prostate. So many of you have been supporting our family with prayers, heartfelt prayers. Yesterday was the day my brother went with my parents to learn from the doctor about scan results and my dad’s suggested treatment plan.
In the mid afternoon, my sister and I received my brother’s text:
We had a great appointment today. The doctor recommended that we hold off on treatment. He thinks that dad could go 5-10 years without any problems from the prostate. He recommended that dad get a PSA test every 6 months and not to start any treatment until his number hits 8 or above. Over the past few years his number has increased from about 1.5 to about 3.
If or when he does treatment, the recommendation is targeted radiation. The side effects are mild. The biggest issue is that radiation would be 5 days per week for 9 weeks (45 treatments). The treatments are short (20 minutes) but it’s about a 20 minute drive each way. So dad would need to leave mom for an hour a day Monday-Friday.
The doctor was our age and told me that if dad was his father, he would hold off until PSA is above 8. Dad is VERY relieved.
In the doctor’s mind, the important thing was that the cancer was contained within the prostate. He thinks that dad will have no problems for 5-10 years, which puts him at 93-98 years old. He said that if dad were 10 years younger, he would recommend starting the radiation treatment now. But at 88, he thought that waiting while monitoring PSA was the best approach.
This is great news! As I called my dad later in the day, he recounted his positive experience and shared his hopeful relief.
The sheer number of you reaching out with prayers for my parents has blown me away. I don’t know exactly how prayer works, but I truly believe your prayerful support for our family has made a huge, and lasting impact. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Today it’s off to the orthopedic doctor to check out my mom’s “cracked” hand, which was damaged during her frightening fall on Sunday night. Your constant prayers for my mom over these past several years have also been such a powerful gift. Please keep them coming!
Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! (Philippians 4:4a, MSG).
…Sue…
