my very impatient Dad

[david3103]

Thanks to all for your responses and your sympathy.

It seems likely that the growths detected in dad's liver are secondary. The scan which was planned for 'as soon as possible' seems to be a fortnight away and the lack of urgency an acknowledgement that it will only serve to confirm the bad news.

On the brighter side - he's been established in his new home very well with his own TV etc moved in and his pictures being put on the walls.
He has a view over the tennis courts and Ranelagh Gardens down to the river and freedom to come and go as he chooses (and can manage).

Dad was the Bandmaster for our local Boys' Brigade for many years and has always loved Military Music. On Thursday he'll join some of his Northampton friends and relatives on their annual trip to The Royal Albert Hall to see the Massed Band of The Royal Marines in concert. This has been an event for him and for Mum when she was with us for around thirty years. It's comforting to know he'll see them at least once more.
video quality is a bit dodgy, but it does give a sample

#Invalid YouTube Link#

[bobAlike]

Thanks to all for your responses and your sympathy.

It seems likely that the growths detected in dad's liver are secondary. The scan which was planned for 'as soon as possible' seems to be a fortnight away and the lack of urgency an acknowledgement that it will only serve to confirm the bad news.

On the brighter side - he's been established in his new home very well with his own TV etc moved in and his pictures being put on the walls.
He has a view over the tennis courts and Ranelagh Gardens down to the river and freedom to come and go as he chooses (and can manage).

Dad was the Bandmaster for our local Boys' Brigade for many years and has always loved Military Music. On Thursday he'll join some of his Northampton friends and relatives on their annual trip to The Royal Albert Hall to see the Massed Band of The Royal Marines in concert. This has been an event for him and for Mum when she was with us for around thirty years. It's comforting to know he'll see them at least once more.
video quality is a bit dodgy, but it does give a sample

Fixed your link

[david3103]

thanks Andrew - I really should use that preview button more often

[david3103]

So,
Dad's MRI scan is set for next Tuesday but we're all prepared for it to confirm the suspicion that since liver cancer is very rare in non-drinkers the growth they have found is secondary.
I'm going down to see him on Wednesday and we're hopeful that the results will be available for a discussion then.

He seems pretty upbeat about stuff on the surface, he's 86, has had a lifetime of Christian faith and has no fear of death, just a fear of the process if that makes sense.

He's certainly not shutting down yet.
On Monday, he went as he has for some months to do some outreach work with the local Methodist Church at a homeless shelter. No preaching, just serving a hot meal to the folks there.
He enjoyed his Marines Concert last night, although not the sections where they played Queen and Elvis tunes and he's paid the balance of the holiday cost to spend a week on the Isle of Wight with my sister in May.

He's impatient in so many areas, but he's not impatient to leave us.

[david3103]

I probably should have checked, but it seems that Dad's appointment today is with the Oncologist to discuss scans and tests and what they already know.
I found this out too late to get to London in time to go with him but am on the train now and should be there when he gets back to the MTI from Chelsea and Hammersmith Hospital.

Dad's!! Worse than kids!

I'm staying over in a Guest Room at the MTI tonight and contemplating a trip to Leicester Sq to have a look at the Hippodrome and/or The Empire.

Playing poker is such an escape from reality. Vicky Coren's excellent book captures well the sense of freedom from other worries that is found at the poker table and tonight I'll be hoping to find a fun, low-ish stakes game where I can mix it up between nittiness and creativity and break even will feel like a win

My alternative choice is to sit and play the MC satellite again, but I don't feel inclined to sit in on my own all night and have no time to win three more tokens.

Tomorrow? Who knows. Probably long conversations with Dad and the Nursing Staff followed by a journey home.

[RED-DOG]

I probably should have checked, but it seems that Dad's appointment today is with the Oncologist to discuss scans and tests and what they already know.
I found this out too late to get to London in time to go with him but am on the train now and should be there when he gets back to the MTI from Chelsea and Hammersmith Hospital.

Dad's!! Worse than kids!

I'm staying over in a Guest Room at the MTI tonight and contemplating a trip to Leicester Sq to have a look at the Hippodrome and/or The Empire.

Playing poker is such an escape from reality. Vicky Coren's excellent book captures well the sense of freedom from other worries that is found at the poker table and tonight I'll be hoping to find a fun, low-ish stakes game where I can mix it up between nittiness and creativity and break even will feel like a win

My alternative choice is to sit and play the MC satellite again, but I don't feel inclined to sit in on my own all night and have no time to win three more tokens.

Tomorrow? Who knows. Probably long conversations with Dad and the Nursing Staff followed by a journey home.

Good luck Dave. I hope it goes well.

[leethefish]

Best wishes David

[david3103]

Will get the poker stuff out of the way now before I go to see the Resident GP with Dad and get the full picture thus far

Went to the Vic and found a fun £1/£1 table where my request for "£200, can I have £20 singles" was interpreted by my right hand neighbour as indication that I was likely to be rather laggy.
Thus, when I got dealt AK on my first hand and 3bet his button open of £5 to £20 he peeled.
The flop rolled out QJ10cc and we both checked.
A non club 6 fell on the turn and I led for £26 and called his shove.
I rolled over my hand instantly and he returned the favour when the club fell on the river to give him his flush holding 97cc... £88 down in the first hand but stacks were generally low and I covered all bar him.
Was back on £200+ a couple of hands later when I flopped two pair and held vs two flush draws and across the night I had some fun dynamics with a variety of players.
Opening 45hh and hitting a 367rb flop is fun. We got it in on the 7 turn and I was a touch surprised to be told I was good on a 7 river..
Lost a few, won some more and achieved the objective of losing myself in the game whilst not losing money. Up £180 at the end and that included a loss of a £200+ pot just before I left where it goes in on the turn with KJ on an xxJQ board and he has QJ.

Note for rfggabc btw - - The Vic charges £1 for tea coffee and soft drinks even whilst they strip 10%/£5 out of every pot. £5.50 actually with .50p into some form of 'reward the regulars' pot.

[david3103]

I'll try to make time for a longer post with some pictures tomorrow but we met the Resident GP at the RHC today and his message was simple.

Based on what we know, Dad has cancer in either the Bowel or the Stomach. It has spread to his liver which suggests it's taken a hold.
He's due for a colonoscopy next Monday and if that doesn't find the cancer then a gascosopy is booked for the week after. The expectation from the GP is that the colonoscopy will find it.

Treatment options are limited. But we'll debate that when we know what we're dealing with.

[Laxie]

Ugh.  Really keeping everything crossed for ye.  xx

[technolog]

Sometimes there are just no words. Thinking of you all and hoping for good news.

[The Camel]

All my best wishes to your father and you at this impossible time mate.

[Doobs]

Best of luck to you and your father. 

[dreenie]

Very sorry to hear this, thoughts are with you and your family x hope everything works out for your father.

[aaron1867]

Sorry to hear this David, best of luck to you and your Dad.