“I have something to tell you about your daddy’s prostate,” my mother’s subdued voice said on the other end of the phone.
You know any conversation that starts with those words is either not going to end well or be really, really, funny. In this case it was the former. And so, I’ve known for almost two months now that my dad has prostate cancer. When I heard my mom say the “C” word, I was truly shocked. I knew dad had had tests the week before but I, in my infinite wisdom, was absolutely certain the results would be peachy. After all, we don’t have cancer in our family. Heart disease is the enemy we know, and are prepared to deal with. But cancer? Cancer Who?
Mom assured me at the time that there was only a little bit of cancer, and that dad’s doctor said it was totally treatable, and that most men will get it if they live long enough, (so sorry to the five dudes who read this thing!) and that dad would be fine. A few days later he went back to the doctor, who said he felt the best course of treatment (there are several options) for my dad was to have that darn prostate totally removed. Apparently, the best place for that little procedure to be done is a certain hospital in Detroit, Michigan, which is about 3.5 hours from where we live. And as I write this, in just a few hours, my parents and my oldest brother will be leaving for Detroit, where tomorrow afternoon a robot will surgically get that prostate gone. This is pretty amazing technology, but I am having a hard time visualizing a robot surgeon. All I keep seeing is Johnny Five or the girl from Small Wonder. Let’s hope this robot concentrates less on humor and more on the task at hand than those two jokers. Hopefully he or she is more along the lines of C3PO. (Ok, you all know I’m kidding right? The robot is controlled by an actual, human surgeon. I swear.)
My parents and my two brothers (who are alternating staying with my parents) will be in Detroit for over a week as dad recovers. After the surgery there will be tubes and things draining and all sorts of unpleasantness and so the boys (as we call them) will help my mom with caring for my dad and all that fun stuff. Dad will stay one night in the hospital, then they’ll be staying in an apartment adjacent to the hospital, fully-furnished, kitchen, all that jazz, until dad’s well enough to come home.
And I’ll sit here and pray, and wait, and miss them all. And I’ll be thankful. Thankful that, as cliche as it sounds, if you’re gonna have cancer, this is the kind you wanna have (sorry ladies!) because it is so treatable, and the removal of the prostate is considered a cure. Thankful that, no matter what happens, my dad put his life in God’s hands a long time ago, and that God is totally in control of this and every other part of it. Truly, there is no need for us to worry about it! Worrying is something we do to indulge our own neuroses. God has got this one in His pocket. And I am so thankful!! I’m also thankful that I have such a wonderful daddy, and sweet mommy and caring brothers and sisters-in-law, and that we are all in this together.
And I’m thankful for you for reading this, for letting me get it out and put it out there. Whisper a prayer or two for my parents this week, and I’ll be thankful for that, too.
Jen
You failed to mention how sweet you and friends were to research a post-up diet and prepare food for us to take.
we are praying for all of you. love you……
You have such a great attitude – I will pray for your dad’s quick recovery.
We will be praying for him!
We will keep your Dad in our prayers!!! And also pray for a quick recovery.
My dad goes to Detroit next month for the same surgery. He went to the doctor for an infected cut a few months ago and they did a full physical (he hadn’t had one in years) and found he had an enlarged prostate. My prayers are with your family!
Jenny, you and your whole fam are in my prayers.
🙂
We love you guys. Your family is one of the coolest things to happen to ours in a long time. We are praying for you and yours cause now they are ours….
I hope that everything goes well tomorrow – I’ll be praying for a quick recovery for him.
I will be thinking happy thoughts for him 🙂
Nathan’s dad had the same thing done last spring, but it was done here locally. He’s doing great now and all his tests have come back negative for cancer, so we’re happy about that. Your kids may have to get used to being gentle with grandpa (and the accompanying tubes, bags, etc.) for awhile, but things will get back to normal once he’s healed. We’ll be praying for you and your family!
I’ll be praying for ya’ll!
I am praying for your dad and your family.
I know I am supposed to write something very serious right now, but I must pause for a moment and say that I was skimming this a little too quickly and when I saw you mention the boys (meaning your brothers) I thought you were talking about a different set of “boys”. Do you catch my drift. Cause you were talking prostate and I think my mind was somewhere else. Anyway, I stopped dead in my tracks and had to reread the sentence. I just thought some humor might help. And inappropriate giggling.
I know God will take care of your family. Saying a prayer that everything will go well.
Sweet girl! You are a wonderful daughter!!
I’m praying for your Dad, your family, and for you!
God is in control, and he will take care of everything that concerns each one of you. Don’t forget to lean on Him!
Love you, love you!!
Praying for you all!!
I’ll keep you and yours in my thoughts and prayers, best wishes on a speedy recovery for you dad. Prostates always seem to go up on us dudes. Joeps
Lots of prayers for your mom and dad during this time! Isn’t it amazing the peace that comes with knowing Jesus and His protective and healing power?!? I’ll be praying for you too, that you have an overwhelming peace of mind about your dad. Lots of love!!
Sending prayers for your dad and your family! God is Good isn’t He?