Update on my Dad situation.....

If you don't know whats going on you can read about it here:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92315

I went to my Dad's tonight as planned. Everything went better than I thought it would. Dad wanted to tell me that he has a rare blood disorder, I can't think of the name right now, it starts with n A........anyway, he's going to have to go through 20 weeks of intensive treatment, but after that it should be cured. They said it is a lot like Melanoma, but isn't calssified as a Cancer. He will be doing Chemo and will have two stem cell transplants. During this time he will have to stay in Little Rock which is almost two hours from here. He wanted me to come stay with him some on the weekends so that his wife can come home to be with her son who is sixteen and will be staying with friends during this time. Dad wants me to come back this weekend and visit some more. I hate that he is sick and I am hopefull that everything turns out ok. The biggest risk factor right now is him getting sick while doing Chemo, b/c even a cold could kill him since his immune system will be compromised critically. It really seems that he wants to make ammends and start a better relationship between the two of us. Even his wife was very nice to me, which is rare. This is really serious, but it may be a blessing in disquise. It seems to have made him look at things differently, and as sad as it may seem, this may have been what our relationship needed for us to get back on track. I've always missed having a dad, so I'm hopeful that we can have a relationship like we've both wanted. Thanks so much for all the prayers and vibes. Please keep my father in your thoughts and prayers. He will be starting soon and the treatment will continue until close to thanksgiving. Thanks again for all of your advice and concern.

I'm glad that the talk was "good," as as far as your Dad's behavior. Too bad about the bad news, but something like this can definitely make a person change. I hope everything goes well for him. To me, Little Rock is an unknown world to me and I, too, only live about 2.5 hours away. They have the best medical care in our state, so I'm sure he'll do well.

I don't know much about little rock either, I go there occasionally to shop, but I guess I'll be learning more about it soon. UAMS is where he will be treated and they are rated 3rd in the US for treating this kind of disease and 1st for Melanoma. The treatment for the two are basicly the same, so I know he's in good hands. I'll have to look up the name of the disease later, as for now it's lost on me.

Aplastic Anemia, maybe?

Amyloidosis I do believe....

Could it be agranulocytosis?

I have read your other thread just now and I am sorry your dad is sick. many to you. he will be in my thoughts and prayers as you will, too.

Originally Posted by maddensmom

Amyloidosis I do believe....

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That sounds right. My name is Amy, and you would beleive the number of seroius diseases that start with amy-- yes, I've seriously looked them all up!

Sending you and your family big vibes

I'm really sorry to hear about your Dad being sick - sending lots of prayers and vibes to you and your family

I recently finished reading the first thread and this one. I'm really sorry that your Dad is sick Kim, but I'm sure he will be ok. Hopefully when he gets better you and him can have a good healthy relationship. I'm sending {{{{vibes}}}} to both of you.

I'm sorry that your father is ill, and I hope you are right that it is a blessing in disguise. I would consel you to keep your heart at a safe distance for the time being. While road to Damacus style conversions aren't impossible, they are rare. If he is really changing, he will demostrate that in time; for the moment, though, please don't forget that this man has been a source of terror for you.

So, I guess I'm suggesting that you trust in the possibility of change, but not to believe that he has done so just yet.

Originally Posted by Satai

If he is really changing, he will demostrate that in time; for the moment, though, please don't forget that this man has been a source of terror for you.

So, I guess I'm suggesting that you trust in the possibility of change, but not to believe that he has done so just yet.

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I'm glad to hear YOUR OK, but I'm sorry to hear about your dad. Satai is right. He could wind up changing and he will demostrate in the process...or he could see himself invinceable to life when he beats the disease/condition.

I really do hope that he does take life and others lives more seriously for you and your family.

Originally Posted by Satai

I'm sorry that your father is ill, and I hope you are right that it is a blessing in disguise. I would consel you to keep your heart at a safe distance for the time being. While road to Damacus style conversions aren't impossible, they are rare. If he is really changing, he will demostrate that in time; for the moment, though, please don't forget that this man has been a source of terror for you.

So, I guess I'm suggesting that you trust in the possibility of change, but not to believe that he has done so just yet.

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Thank you all for your condolences. They are very much appriciated, and despite what he has put me and my family through, I would never wish anything bad to happen to him. This was a shock to all of us.

Satai and lunasmom, thank you so much for your insight....I was actually just thinking these same things last night when I was trying to sleep. I wondered if I was being too paranoid, or too harsh. But I know that you guys are right. Somehow I feel as if I could be hurt badly by spending time with him while he's sick, but I can't turn him down in this situation. I have to try to forgive, even if it is a slow process. Time will tell I guess. Thank you all again, and please continue to keep my family in your prayers.

I'm continuing to pray for you. Your presence in your father's life during his illness could be very healing - i am a firm believer that love can triumph over evil Bless you for taking the higher position; how easy it would be for you to tell him, "What, look at what you put us thru when we were growing up, why should i care about you now"; instead, you have chosen the higher road - you are already a stronger, more compassionate and wiser person because of it!

Originally Posted by maddensmom

Thank you all again, and please continue to keep my family in your prayers.

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You are welcome, and I will continue to keep you all in my prayers.