...but our story is ended. My Dad passed away on 11/16/19. I feel very remiss for not posting sooner, but it has been hard. Only just now am I able to breathe without feeling as though a knife is stuck in my chest.
There is a twist to my Dad's story that I have wanted to share, in the hope that it will help someone else. My Dad went to the hospital for a liver biopsy at the end of October. He was kept there for a week, with very little information forthcoming (which has been a peeve of mine throughout this ordeal). Through his patient portal, I was finally able to read the biopsy results myself and a phrase used there indicated that what had been previously determined to be liver metastases might actually be damage from another cause. That got me researching as to what that cause might be and, with the help of a naturopath I have worked with for a number of years, we were able to confirm that my Dad had chronic, undiagnosed Hepatitis C, in addition to PCa. He likely acquired the virus during his Vietnam service. Knowing that piece made so many inconsistencies I had been seeing click into place! And it gave Dad comfort to understand, at last, why his condition worsened so quickly. It is indescribably bittersweet that by the time we knew the full truth, it was too late to help Dad. I wish life had Instant Replay - how differently we would have approached this the second time around!
I will post further about some of the indicators and pieces I have put together that may be helpful for others. For the moment, I will add only this: the CDC has recently said that all Americans born between 1945-1965 should be tested for Hep C (Canda has issued a similar recommendation). *It is particularly important for anyone who served in Vietnam*, as the incidence of the disease is prevalent in that age range and the risk is exacerbated by war service (no concrete reason has been given, but there is a theory that the vaccine gun used at that time may have helped to spread the virus). Also, anyone who received blood transfusions or a donated organ prior to 1992 should be tested as well.
My Mom and I would like to express our deepest and most sincere thanks all of you who have posted questions, experiences, suggestions and wisdom here. You gave us hope when we had none. We will forever be grateful for that kindness and for your willingness to share your time and knowledge.
I hope to be able to continue to contribute to this forum, albeit it in a very small way, due to the brevity of our experience. At the very least, I can continue to send prayers and good wishes. I love reading about new breakthroughs in treatment, as well as the successes you each post. Both give me hope that someday soon, this beast will be fully tamed!
I wish you all the very best in your journeys - may the answers you need reach you in time.
-Sunlight
My hero is gone
Things have gone from bad to worse; need some hope and guidance.
Things Going Well But A Little Nervous
