Serious stuff but so funny too!

[vyperdd]

I found out a week ago that my 82 year old dad has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Good news is that they caught it early and it hasn't spread to any other organs or parts of his body. *huge, gigantic sigh of relief*
He's not having surgery or chemo, just a hormone injection every three months which I didn't even know was a treatment for this type of cancer.

I didn't handle the announcement very well, broke down sobbing for about half an hour after I read his text and whilst trying to call him but getting only his voicemail. Was much better after I talked to him that night and found out it wasn't as serious as I'd been dreading. Dad is in really good spirits and very positive that he'll be hanging around for many, many more years.

I'm trying to stay positive as well but just the thought that I might be losing him anytime soon was -- and still is-- simply terrifying. My mum passed away back in '89 just before I turned 21 and I am so not ready-- don't think I'll EVER be ready-- to say goodbye to Dad. He's my rock and support whenever I need someone to talk to or just hug and I love him so much.

I visited him a couple of weeks ago to pick up my lawnmower that he serviced for me. He knew then that he probably had cancer but didn't say anything before he had it confirmed because he knew how I would react, how worried and upset I would be-- and I was! Thanks, Daddy!! Knowing he still wants to protect his 47 year old 'baby girl' makes me feel so loved.

Now for the funny:
The hormone injection has some minor side effects, one of which is hot flushes!!!! Yes, my dad will be going through menopause!!! LOL My step-mum has been going through menopause for a long time now and gets really, really bad hot flushes and Dad, being a guy'n'all, has made lots of (loving but cheeky) fun of her discomfort and now she gets to return the favour and is really looking forward to it!

Comments

[borgmama1of5.livejournal.com]

How scary...and glad for you that the prognosis is good! Will keep your family in my thoughts!

[vyperdd.livejournal.com]

Thanks!!! Much appreciated!!

[supernutjapan.livejournal.com]

So glad they found it early bb!!!
LOL on the hotflashes :D<3

[vyperdd.livejournal.com]

Thanks!!

When he told me about them I just burst out laughing. Was just what I needed to hear right then as I was struggling not to cry when talking to him.

[ratfan.livejournal.com]

Scary news. As far as I'm aware, that kind is one of the easier cancers to treat. Friend of mine had it and emerged fine; he just had to put up with us asking how his prostate was whenever we saw him.

Hope you're okay!

[vyperdd.livejournal.com]

My dad said most of the guys at the retirement village either have it or have recovered from it. Says it's really no big deal and he'll be fine.

I'm doing pretty good after my initial breakdown. Will be spending Xmas with him and he'll be getting lots of hugs and love from me and hopefully not too many tears.

[sw0rdy.livejournal.com]

The 'C' word is scary no matter what the details are and there's always a part of us that fears the worst. My brother in law's grandad had prostate cancer and just lived with it. It was a weird concept for me because I always think of cancer as every second counting, time is of the essence etc etc. The fact that he just 'had' it and wasn't having it cut out or chemoed away and had been that way for twenty-odd years made me realise it wasn't always the case. He passed away last year at the ripe old age of 100 when he was 'done' (in his words). Cancer didn't get him and I hope the same will be true for your dad. *hugs*

[vyperdd.livejournal.com]

Thanks, hun! *hugs*

I just had the worst case scenario running through my brain when seeing cancer in his text. Thought of how much it might spread and how long he'd have and the awful side affects from chemo and radiotherapy and I was an absolute mess.

I'm just so glad and relieved that it's easily treatable and very unlikely to spread. And trying to always remember that cancer is just a word, not a sentence.

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry bb, that is terrifying! *hugs* I'm glad there's a treatment and that he's got a positive outlook going on. If there's anything I can do, gimme a holler xx

[vyperdd.livejournal.com]

*hugs* back. I've almost lost him a couple of times, serious car accident back in the early 80's (where he died on the op table twice) and a heart attack about 10 years ago and all those feelings of terror came right back and hit me full blast. Was one of the worse days of my life until I got to talk to him and he put my mind at ease.

Will do! Just seeing the support on here is helping heaps.

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

Seriously, if you need an ear, you got my email, okay? ♥

[szarabasjka.livejournal.com]

LMAO!! glad your dad is going to be ok.

[jessm78.livejournal.com]

Oh wow, I'm sorry to hear that about your dad, but I'm glad they seem to have caught it in time! I never knew that was a treatment for prostrate cancer either. I hope it does the trick! Lol about the side effects though, poor guy!

[sailorhathor.livejournal.com]

I'm glad there's a fairly simple way to treat your dad's cancer. :) My mom died when I was 14 and my siblings kind of ignored our dad for a long time after that, so I had my daddy all to myself. ^_^ I understand what it's like to be close to your dad. I hope yours stays around for many years to come.

[zebra363.livejournal.com]

Best wishes for your father's health. I think that is often a very slow-moving form of cancer.