Baby on the way...

I just wanted to share that I have recently found out my husband and I are having a baby...our 3rd.  I am thrilled about it but I'm sad too.  Not sure if my Dad (stage 4 colon cancer diagnosed in April 08') will be here to see it?  He's doing well right now and is on a break from chemo for awhile taking only Avastin.  He is losing weight though even when he's on prednisone...he lost 2 more lbs last week so he's now 122.  His oncologist said he needs to stay over 120.  We're not sure what he'll do if Dad goes below that.  Overall Dad's doing really well right now but 7 1/2 months is a lot of time for things to change.  He was so happy when we told him about the baby but I hope it doesn't put added pressure and panick in him so he's worried about making it to see the baby.  Maybe he won't look at it that way...I really hope not.  I know I can't control it if that's what happens, just sad that it's something we have to even worry about.  I also feel though that I would have normally had a baby much sooner than this (my kids are going to be 6 and 4 years old and I didn't expect there to be this gap between the 2nd and 3rd kids) and I was so afraid at the beginning that he was going to go quickly and now he's still doing well 18 months later.  I just feel like it's not healthy to put our lives on hold for a future that is so unclear but it is also hard NOT to do that?!

What you are feeling is normal, you're excited about the baby but at the same time terrified that you may lose your Dad. This might help your Dad focus on something other than the cancer. If he is anything like me he will gladly take good news over the bad. We tend to think about the cancer 24/7, and forget the world is going on despite what we are going through. My Dad had cancer when my sister in law was pregnant, and my Dad hung on long enough to hold my nephew and our family cherishs the picture of him with his grandson. My father had leukemia and we thought he was doing pretty well when he was struck with a rare condition associated with his bone marrow transplant. We lost him shortly after that day with the baby, but my brother was so thankful he saw and held his little bundle of joy. Not all stories end with death, some live to have a very full life. Don't give up hope, I was diagnosed April 08, myself and I am doing very well right now, alive and kicking hoping to see my daughters grow up and get married and have children of their own. I felt the same when I was diagnosed, I thought I would miss out on all the important things like graduation, weddings, and grandchildren. Cancer is not always a death sentence, and we have so much more treatments than in the past. Don't give up on your Dad, and rejoyce in the birth of your child. Let your Dad be a part of the whole pregnacy , allow him to experience life and not have to think about death right now. I will keep you and your Dad in my prayers. God Bless!

Sheryl

HI,

 Cancer does not have to be an automatic death sentance, there are many living with stage 1V cancer years on, Avastin is a very good chemo. WHat does his cat or pet scans  show? What is his CEA level,, (if not sure what Cea is check out on google)..

Regarding his weight,, does he know about ensure drink?  full of vits and minirals also  you can get   Weight  Gain... a powder drin that helps the body gain weight and puts protein in the body,, whats your fathers diet like?

Diet is very important in fighting cancer,,,

check out ...sugar and cancer... linseed oil and cancer...

Aspargus and cancer.... Tumeric and cancer,,,,

Eat as much veg and fruit as he can and drink lots of water every day.. and take a good mulit vitiman.. and take vit c and vit B complex as body cannot store them and body needs every day...

 Hope this a help and Pray Hard  and be postitive as this is all good for healing...

 All the best with pregancy....

Best Wishes  Rob