Update on my Dad

Almost a month ago, my Dad flung open a door to let one of his dogs out, and he felt pain in his shoulder.  He didn't know what had happened, but the pain got so bad during the night that the next day, he went to the ER.  X-rays revealed a broken arm just below the elbow.  They put his arm in a splint and a sling and told him to go see a bone doctor.

A few days later (while Jilly and I were visiting), he had an appointment with the bone specialist. He took another x-ray which revealed that the cancer had gone to a portion of the bone in his lower right arm and depleted the bone of 50% of its density, leaving it brittle--thus the broken bone from just flinging open a door.

The prognosis was that Dad would need an elbow replacement surgery, which he had yesterday. My understanding is that because the cancer had gone to the bone, the break would never heal. So yesterday, the surgeon removed the elbow and the part of the bone that was cancerous, and replaced it with a stainless steel prosthetic elbow/bone.

Dad was in a lot of pain last night after the surgery, and they were trying to help him manage it. Today, he is supposed to begin physical therapy--amazing how quickly they start it!  He will likely be in the hospital for the next 3-6 days. Please continue to keep my Dad in your prayers. Please pray specifically that his body will accept the new elbow, that there won't be any infection, and for his healing and comfort.

Thank you, as always, for your prayers and support.

With love,

Starshine