Update on Dad

So for all of you who have been asking how my dad is, here is the latest. He's been recovering wonderfully from his surgery. He's looking and feeling better. So, the big news is that they found 2 types of cancer in his thryroid. The 1st on is called papillary, basically it is the most common, easiest to cure kind of thyroid cancer around. The 2nd one is called anaplastic, it is the least common, no cure for kind of cancer. With the diagnosis of anaplastic, most people are given from 1-3 years before the cancer completely takes over and there's nothing else to do. The only problem they've really had with the diagnosis is they weren't sure if what he has on his lungs is part of the anaplastic cancer, or from something else. The biopsy that they did do on his lungs was not good enough for a definite anwer. So he had another CT scan on his lungs to see what's going on with the nodules they found. They told us that if there was a significant amount of change with the lungs, they knew that it was the anaplastic cancer that was affecting the lungs. We had been waiting for the results on the CT scan. The outcome of the results would determine the course of treatment that he would follow. If the anaplastic cancer isn't affecting the lungs, then they can start radiation treatment for the thyroid cancer. If it is affecting the lungs, they can't use radiation, because you cannot radiate the lungs. They would have to use other kinds of drugs that can work on both the thryoid and lungs at the same time. So, Tuesday dad went in to Dr. Dixon to get the results of the CT scan. It's not great news. They have confirmed that it is anaplastic thryoid cancer that has moved to dad's lungs. With this diagnosis they have started him on some very new, experimental pills. They are basically the radiation medicine, but in pill form. He's going to take these for the next six weeks and then do another CT scan on his lungs to see if it's having any effect on them. So for now, we sit back and wait yet again to see what happens. Dad is bound and determined to enjoy every day that he feels good. For him that means lots of fishing, an Alaskan cruise in a couple of weeks, and lots of good times with his friends and family. We love him so much and all hope and pray that this medicine will help him feel better. We really appreciate all of the love and support from everyone out there. Anyone willing to put his name in any temple is sure appreciated. Every little thing helps! If you have any ?'s, don't be afraid to ask. I'll get back to you as quickly as I can. Thank you again for your love and prayers.