[Nfbmo] Update on My Dad's Cancer Situation

[Mary Donahue]

Good afternoon everyone,

    Some of you know about my dad's cancer, but, for those on the NFB of 
Missouri list, I am going to summarize anyway. Since before Christmas last 
year, my dad had suffered with cancer in one of the lymph nodes, which 
spread from the original bladder cancer he acquired in August, 2008. When my 
parents went back to Wisconsin from Arizona last April, Dad had a check-up, 
and was given at least a year. He underwent chemotherapy until the end of 
August. After my parents returned to Arizona in October,and after another 
doctor's visit the day before Halloween, they found out the cancer had 
spread to the hip bone and to the liver. Now, Dad is given six months or 
less to live. He can get around using a walker and a cane, and it's been an 
effort for him to talk. Since Last Wednesday, he has been under hospice 
care.

    My parents are flying back to Wisconsin on Friday morning. The closest 
big airport to Hayward, Wisconsin, where their summer home is is 
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, which means that there is a 
three-hour flight to Minneapolis, and then another two-and-a-half-hour ride 
to Hayward. As it stands right now, all of my side of the family will be 
together, so it will be a bittersweet Christmas for me.

   So far, Dad is holding his own, but I will try to talk to him tomorrow. 
Please continue to pray for him, and any words of encouragement will be 
appreciated.

    Thank you in advance.

Mary Donahue


"Be Well, Do good Work, and keep in touch."
Garrison Keillor