Long night at the McDonald’s house

It’s another long night at the McDonald’s house.  My father is having emergency bypass surgery in the morning.  He has about 5 blocked arteries and an aortic aneurysm w/ a leaking valve.  I want to be there, but I  live several states away and cannot possibly make it in time.

He was here for me during much of my cancer treatment and it breaks my heart not to be able to be there for him.  My sister is there and so is my mother.  He is expected to do well and recover, slowly, but surely.  I cannot help but be afraid that  he may not make it though tomorrow,  and I won’t see him again.  I spoke to him on the phone tonight and the hardest words to say were, “good bye.”

My father has always been a hero to my sister and myself.  He is a great dad and was always the calm voice of reason in a house full of women.  He was kind and fair with us when we were kids.  He thought of us first and himself  last.  He showed us what a devoted father and husband is.  He was not out chasing skirts and making a fool of my mother.  He is a genuine  husband and family man and we could not ask for a better dad.

He worked 8 hour days and spent his free time with his family rather than finding reasons not to come  home like playing golf and hanging out with the boys like so  man men do.  Work was never more important that his family.  In this day and age when most men are workaholics, it is rare to find a man who spends his time with his family.  My mom doesn’t know how lucky she was to have his support raising us when we were  little kids.

My dad could always fix anything.  All we had to do was tell him about it and it was fixed or at least better.  I remember my sister and I calling him once because our car broke down and we had tried everything.  When my dad showed up he literally just got in the car, turned the key and boom it started.   He always just had the touch.  ha

When I had a problem when I was a teenager and even a young adult, if I would just tell him about it, it some how magically  made it better.

I hope to be able to sleep at some point tonight, but I think it is going to be touch and go.   My thought and prayers are with him, my mother and family.  Please pray for us during this difficult time.

–Julie

Add comment March 30th, 2010

Vitamin D Deficient

Hello Everyone,

It has been awhile since my last update.  That is a good sign, because it  means I have nothing to tell about cancer treatment!  I have a oncology check up coming soon (every 3 months).  I also need to return to plastic surgery soon and finish that.

I was just in Arizona for my nieces wedding.  It was so nice to see family and friends that I haven’t seen in years.  All were happy to see me happy and healthy.  It just cracks me up to run into people who know I had “breast cancer” because they all do the same thing.  First, they look me in the eye and say, “How are you doing?”  Then their eyes immediately go 8 inches south to my breasts.  ha  I want to say, “Yes, they are still there.” ha

I did just find out that I  have a severe Vitamin D deficiency.  I was surprised to hear that, because it was fine a few years ago.  I wonder if it has something to do with cancer treatment?

I did read this:  The authors of the study concluded that vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in women with breast cancer and that the current recommended dietary allowance of vitamin D is too low.  I hate milk and never drink it.  I also live in a dark, cloudy climate.  I have been so tired, and knew there was something going on so I pushed the doctor to run some blood tests and it turns out I was right.

It has been a good year of healing and getting back to normal.  I have been able to just enjoy the simple things that most take for granted.  Not having to live at the doctors office is a gift.  I have been able to get back into my exercise routine and am enjoying that.  We have some special trips planned this year that we are excited about.

I wish you all health and happiness in 2010.

Add comment March 9th, 2010