;-) <-- heavy emphasis on the winky smiley...

But, I have also seen a lot of compassion here.

My dad is 82. He's a Korean combat war veteran.

About 3 weeks ago he was talking to my mom and he couldn't come up with the words he wanted to say. My Mom knew right away that they needed to go to the VA hospital. They went up there and he had a CAT scan. He can't have an MRI because he has a Pace Maker. The CAT scan revealed he has 4 lesions on his brain.

He was given some drugs that seemed to reduce the big lesion and his speech returned to normal. At the time I didn't have all of the details and I was chatting with him on Yahoo Messenger and he wasn't making sense.

After the drug treatments his chatting seemed to go back to normal.

But then we went back for a check up and the doctors said the lesions, as they observed, was something that needed a biopsy that we needed to do to determine what was really going on. If we didn't do anything it would probably end his life if not treated within 3 to 6 months.

So, next Tuesday he his having brain surgery to get a biopsy, and maybe remove that one big lesion, and then come up with a radiation treatment for the other lesions. Any chemo is out of the question at this point.

We've had bit of a rocky relationship since I was a teenager but I can barely contain the tears as I type this....

Anyway.. thanks for reading...

[-o<

[Edit] His last text to me was "The bible says "It is appointed once to die, after that the judgment." I'm ready for either way.Although there is still lots of work to be done so I woild like to stay around for a while. There has been so much prayer that I think I'll be here for a while longer."

He's the last person that would ever have to worry about any judgement.

My h.s. classmate had lesions in his brain too. He had surgery, chemo, etc. and fought the good fight but they couldn't get it all. You realize what's important when stuff like that happens. I miss him.

Keep your chin up, a lotta people will be thinking about you.

Would be great if he were close to the VA at Vanderbilt, they have some research on cancer treatments, etc.

Prayers sent

All of us, we should never pass up a chance to tell our family and loved ones how we feel about them. There's no such thing as 'just another day'.

Prayers for you and your Dad sent.

Well put Dad, well put.

I'm very sorry to hear about his condition.

My 56 year old high school buddy developed a nueral constant pain disorder from a root canal.

He has had 10 brain surgeries in the last 2+ years.

I always had a good relatonship with my parents.

My dad was great and a korean war era marine who never actually went over to the war. He was a basketball player all his early life in phila. .H.S., LaSalle College, marine corp., phila. Warriors/ pro team for two yrs.

He developed MDS? blood disease at 75....one of the main causes was exposure to benzene...in the50's they would rub it on muscle pulls in sports.

If not for that....he would have made it to his mid 80's for sure.

He had a ten year retirement span and i spent tons of time with him hunting and fishing.

I really miss him.

Aren't you the guy from Guam/ or some south pacific island.... in the service?

Too bad your so far away.

You need to catch a military transport home right away.

Thanks for the thoughts, but I am in Texas now. Been back here since last year. However, the new job didn't quite work out. They decided to outsource the position and I was laid off. But... I received an offer for my old job back out on Kwajalein. I accepted and had a physical just last Friday. I hope to be heading back out there in early August. Kwajalein Island is a U.S. Army Base. The job is as a contractor in COMSEC.

That adds a little bit more stress on the situation with my dad. I'm meeting him and my mom and sister at the VA hospital in Dallas on Tuesday morning. We'll be there for the surgery. We hope the doctors do a good job and that he is well on his was to whatever recovery he'll have before I leave.

Deciding on the surgery was a tough decision we had to make. The young doctors feel confident and have a several of these surgeries in their experience. But, with this type of brain surgery, there is always the possibility that he'll be stuck in a hospital bed until the end. We're staying positive though and hope he recovers ok, gets a good radiation treatment plan, and then gets a few more years.

Speaking of having a physical... I had been laying off the ale and cigars for a couple of weeks in anticipation of doing the physical. Did it on Friday. Went to a friends house for ribs and chicken legs yesterday. When I got home last night, I sat out on the patio and had a couple of cigars and a couple of big bottles of Chimay.

Things seem brighter in the clear, sober light of day. ;-)

And, thanks to everybody for all the kind words.

Brother do whatever it takes to remedy the situation between you and your father.My father and I were on the mends when he had a sudden and massive heart attack last year.Very sad because we were almost there.He left when I was young and just disappeared for years...no support,nothing.He knew it was wrong later in life,he was seeking my forgiveness.We were right on the cusp of a normal relationship.Anyway Brother whatever it takes is the best advice I can give.

Ron

I just found out friday that my ex-wife may have cancer and needs more tests then immediate surgery in 2 to 4 weeks.

I have about nine other major problems going on before this news on friday.

When it rains.....it pours.

Hang in there.

I barely am.

Prayers sent.

Prayers needed all over, eh?

Hang in there, BS. Having parents age and pass would be their preference over them seeing their children pass first. Enjoy the time best you can.