Cancer... The Unwelcome Holiday Guest

In late October we learned that my dad (in Layton) had a mass on his pancreas. My mom took him to the Huntsman Cancer Institute for a biopsy and scans. After the biopsy results were back we learned that it was indeed cancer. However the doctors we beyond positive – they told us that they never find pancreatic cancer this early and staged it at stage 2. They sent Dad home to see a surgeon in Ogden the next week. After he saw the surgeon they scheduled the Whipple procedure – a very invasive surgical procedure that takes 8-10 hours to complete for the day before Thanksgiving.

Wednesday 24 November came – My mom took my dad to Ogden Regional at 0600. It had been a horrible storm the night before – I even sent my Crewmembers home early from work. Because of how painful this surgery is they gave my dad an epidural, and wrapped him in a bear hugger to keep him warm while he was on the table. They began to put my dad out and finish the prep work just before 0900. I went into work and figured that around 2pm I’d leave to head to Ogden. I spoke to my mom and she said not to worry and that would be fine. 45 minutes later it was not fine. My sister text messaged me to call our mom ASAP.

The surgery was over – the cancer had spread, liver, stomach, lymph nodes. Stage 4 aggressive pancreatic cancer. My heart dropped – I started to cry and walked into John’s office and told him I was leaving.

Being me and not knowing what else to do I picked up Sweet Tooth Fairy cupcakes and a coke. I was still crying in the shop. The poor lady behind the counter felt so bad and gave me free coke. My brother phoned – he was on his way to the Atlanta airport to fly to Tucson to see his in-laws for Thanksgiving. Patrick wanted to know what to do – change his ticket and come home or go to Tucson still. I had to call Grandpa Coleman and our cousin Lottie so the family could be informed. I called Charles and sobbed.

The roads were bad and I was still crying. All I could think about were the words of the priesthood blessing Dad had received the Sunday before – all about how his family would be comforted – nothing about dad just his family. Then I had that warm feeling come over me and knew that we would not be alone during this time. My dad is a good man – married my mom and her two small girls and took care of us. Sometimes I just have to turn it over to the Lord and let life happen in His time not mine.