Life is strange and very confusing at times

Life is strange and very confusing at times. Life…. What s life here on earth? Why do some live a lifetime of joy and fond memories… Why do some always feel like they are facing a battle day by day…… Why do some just coast trough without a care in the world….

Today my Dad was placed in Hospice after fighting a real tough battle with Soft Tissue Sarcoma. He was diagnosed December 15, 2007. There is not much knowledge about this type of cancer so we did what the basic protocol was for each stage. His main tumor was removed from his leg in late December. He recovered like a champ. He then faced radiation for 3 months every day Mon- Fri. After a few months with out any symptoms and a nice 7 day cruise o Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Mexico. In September 2008 we did a short cruise to the Bahamas. We came back to find out that the cancer had spread to the Lung. We scheduled surgery the week of Thanksgiving 2008. He did the DiVincie robotic surgery to remove two tumors located around his lung. The surgery was said to be a success. In April 2009 he did a follow up and the CT showed that cancer had multiplied and there were several large tumors in the lung and a lot of small tumors lining the lung. He said that we would only have a few months. I got on the phone with Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa who has a Sarcoma Clinic and we were able to get him in there for treatment. In May 2009 he started a round of chemo which was a 3 day process of staying in the hospital. This was done with lost of success. The small tumors disappeared and all of the larger ones shrunk and or stabilized. We took another short 4 day cruise in September 2009 to celebrate.

This is the point where things did not go so well. He came back to Ft. Lauderdale and meet with a local Cancer specialist. He was put on a clinical trial which we found out he was on the “real” pill. The side effects were horrible and the weightloss became too much for him to continue. He then struggled with diabetes, breathing problems. Fluids building up in his lung.

We had to make the best decision for him and get him back to Moffitt in December 2009 for an evaluation. His cancer was spreading and they recommended a lung surgery to reduce the fluid build up. He decided to wait until after the first of the year. He continued to be scene by his oncologist in Ft. Lauderdale until January 20, 2010 when this doctor told him he could not do anything else for him and gave him a month. At this point they drained his lung and accidentally collapsed the lung. My mom & Lenny came over to get him on a 24 hour world wind. He went back to Moffitt and tried a round of chemo and several chest tubes and lung surgeries. This eased his breathing and gave him a little extra time. On March 18, 2010 a decision was made by my father that he had given it his all and did not have any more fight in him. He was transported to Hospice. When he arrived at the beautiful facility in Palm Harbor all arrangements were made. After an evaluation the nurses gave him about 3 or 4 days…………………….

We gave him last rights. I was able to say my goodbyes while he was lucid. I told him I loved him and thank you for the things he taught me and a great life. It told him it was ok to go and that he fought a good battle but GOD must have a better plan for him……… Now we just wait……….