Sad

On Monday, my Dad called me and told me that he had something to tell me that was of a serious nature. I knew right away that it had to do with his health. His battle with cancer has been a years-long fight. I can remember him having malignant melanomas (skin cancer) at least 20 years ago. Eight years ago, it had metasticised to his lymph nodes. He had surgery to remove the affected nodes and underwent a year of chemotherapy treatments that were grueling, to say the least. After that, he had great check-ups for years. Then last year, they found a tumor on his rib cage, which was removed, along with two ribs, followed by radiation therapy. A week or two ago, Dad felt something suspicious and went in to see his doctor. A CT scan revealed that he has 12-15 tumors in his torso region. Metastatic melanomas. Ugh.

Dad told me plainly that there is a treatment option which he is considering, but that it is quite possible that he is coming to the end of his life. He's only 65. I'm not ready to lose my Dad.

At the end of our conversation, I told him that I love him. He said, "I know you do, Tracy. I don't want you to ever worry that I don't know that." And he told me he loves me, too. I know that we both already knew that we love each other (because we tell each other everytime we talk!). But still, it's comforting to have good, straight-forward communication about that stuff sometimes.

Please pray for healing, peace, and strength for my Dad as he walks this difficult path.