Hello Everybody,

This is Elijah addressing you all, not my mother, Jo-Ellen. I would like to begin by thanking both the community and my family for their continued support in these most dire of circumstances. I know it may seem like I am in the background sometimes- having my parents being the one’s who handle everything from dinners to car rides, to a place for me to relax while they go to a doctors appointment, but I see the impact all of the things everyone does for our family, on an almost daily basis, and for that I thank everyone. 

Now it with a lot of despair and regret that I inform you all that my dad’s health has taken an unfortunate turn for the worse. Because of some symptoms we were noticing this past Tuesday in my father, we got concerned there may be liver involvement. Dad went to his doctors appointments the next day, and on that day, after his radiation, which was discontinued because of it’s ineffectiveness, the doctors learned the tumor grew on one side, and shrunk on the other.  It grew on the side where his liver is located. He had an ultrasound of that area, and left for the day with first glance results showing the cancer had not metastasized. Fast forward to Thursday. I came home from school, and my mom sat me down and told me, “The doctors called this morning. Your fathers cancer has metastasized.” So, that is where we stand, the cancer has spread into his liver, the degree to which it has spread remains unknown. He is trying one last chemotherapy treatment, called Bendamustine. There are times now where my father is in a lot of pain, and is very uncomfortable. We are trying to give him as much comfort as we can, which takes me to my next point. 

In order for my dad and myself to be comfortable with everything thats going on, I am asking for just a few basic things. I am asking that, if you plan on visiting, please don’t do so on a whim, call in advance to see how he feels. When put into social situations when in bad pain, he becomes irritable, and this can be avoided. Also important to me, is privacy regarding the situation. I can’t speak for my mother or father, but I would appreciate it if asking me about my dad and his health could be avoided, as I feel it is uncomfortable to discuss. That’s all I ask.

Thanks again for your support,

Elijah