Father Gravely Ill

[Gary Sisco]

Hi, all -- Well, after eight months of interminable testing and an entire dictionary of serial diagnoses, our resident geniuses finally diagnosed my old man with a rare form of lung cancer, probably induced by long exposure to asbestos in the Navy and later as a pipefitter. They told my folks yesterday that he has only a 50-50 chance of surviving, even if they do the surgery to hack out his lung. Needless to say, I'm not much in the mood for chatting, so if I'm not around much or in a grouchy mood, please do forgive. Nothing personal with youse here.

[Captain Hate]

Best wishes to your Dad and you, Gary.

[Chris D]

Oh, man, Gary, that's terrible news. We lost my dad in 2000, and it was a heavy load to carry. Stay strong, brother.

[Dr Dave]

Hang in there, man. We're with you.

[Jim Dye]

I lost my dad to Lung Cancer in 1990. Sorry about your dad, Gary. We're here for you.

[Gary Sisco]

Thanks, guys. I'm feeling pretty burdened down right now. My mother and father have hardly been out of each other's sight for 50 years and do everything together. I can't really imagine what my mom will do without him. But that's one of the reasons I'm living out here in the boons, is to be able to be around for them in their later years, having spent most of my youth and middle years away from home. And of course there is the shock of realizing one's turn to be the oldest man in the family is on the immediate horizon. I'm still very much processing all of this on top of everything else going on in our lives.

Like Bronwyn said last night for comic relief: We're up to our ass in grenade pins and still they keep on coming.

[Brian Olewnick]

We'll be thinking of you, Gary. Take care of yourself and hang in.

[bluenoter]

Gary--My mother survived lung cancer and later died of a rare form of a different cancer. I wouldn't dream of imposing advice on you, but if you ever want some or ever feel like venting, please e-mail me or PM me.

We'll all be pulling for your dad and you. I wish you both whatever you need.

[blawless]

Very sorry to hear this, Gary. Best wishes & take care.

[Monte Smith]

Good luck and hope to your dad, Gary. For what it is worth, Bronwyn's comment is hilarious and I will be stealing it.

[Jason Bivins]

Lost my Pop to lung cancer 11 years ago today. Thinking of you Gary. Hang in there.

[walto]

Got my dad, too--after liver involvement. Take care, my friend.

[Tanager]

Mom, 29.Dec.2002 from a rare cancer of the Fallopian Tubes.

Best wishes, Gary.

[patricia]

There is no good time to lose our parents, Gary. Mine lived to be over ninety. Mother died six years ago, after years of decline and we were expecting it. Dad died soon after, I think, even though they had been divorced for years, from a broken heart.
Though we know that deaths of those we love is inevitable, it's still difficult to realize that none of us is immortal.
I do hope that your father has some more years to go and you and Bronwyn are in my thoughts.
Hang in there.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Time for some one on one with the old man, Gary. But you knew that already. You're in my thoughts. Hope to see you soon.............................

Best wishes to your family, Gary. I know what you're feeling. My father has had serious health problems in the last year too.

[alankin]

Sorry to hear about your Dad. I lost mine in the beginning of the year. It's tough to deal with, no matter when or how it happens...

[hornplayer]

I'm really sorry to hear that, Gary.. I'll be think of you. I lost my dad just almost a year ago and it still sucks...

Doesn't matter how old they are, or any of the "intellectual" rationality.....

[cookie]

Gary, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. My thoughts are with you and your family.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

Hang in there, Gary. We can't put any of those grenade pins back for you but we might have a helmet we can sit on to deflect some of the blasts.

Two years ago, my Dad sat down all his kids after Christams dinner to tell us that he had prostate cancer. I remember how silent the room was for a few seconds after he said that. Here it is, two years later on and because of modern medical science (thank god for those radioactive metallic needles they injected into him!), Dad's still around. If they give your Dad a 50/50, tell him to take that chance! Those are good odds.

Always thinking half full,
Kevin

[graypencil]

I'm reall sorry , Gary ..I do know what you're feeling .

My Mom in '83 ..colon cancer

My Dad in '98 ..prostate cancer complications

finally , my wonderful Kathy in '01 ..breat cancer ..

I just hope your Dad is kept as comfortable as possible considering the conditions ..and who knows? maybe he'll be on the good side of the 50% if they operate ..

hang in there;

Phil Kelly

[jesus marion joseph]

Best wishes, Gary. My sister in law just passed away a couple of weeks ago from intestinal cancer. Hope all goes well.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Best wishes on this, Gary. My kids and I have been lucky enough to have both my folks around (mid/late 80s), but Rita lost both of her parents to cancer-related causes years ago.

[Sergio Zamora]

My thoughts are with you and your folks, G. If your pops is anything like you, I know he'll fight as hard as he can.

You know we're here for you.

[Clay Fink]

My dad died in '99 from a blood disorder. He was 83. I'm glad that I had gotten to the point where I felt we had a good relationship. I have no regrets. My main job now is making sure my Mom is taken care of. Either way, the whole experience was difficult, but I'm glad I was able to be helpful and supportive to others all the while it was going on.

[Ron Thorne]

My best wishes go to you, your father and mother, Gary. I also lost my father to lung cancer many years ago, but I'm hoping that your father will be around a few more years after his operation.

[Salvador Dali Lama]

my grandfather died of cancer the doctors believe he got from asbestos in naval shipyards also. a huge swath of my family was wiped out by cancer that we believe came from something they were all exposed to in the 50s living on the same military base. some kind or radiation probably.

i wish there was something i could tell you gary, but there really isn't. there isn't anything anyone can tell you to make it ok. just keep your head up.

[Tom Storer]

Best of luck, Gary, to you and your parents. My mother was another cancer victim, 1981.

We all have to go sometime, but the separation is never easy. I'll be thinking of you.

[moneyp]

Parents separated before I was conscious, so if my dad is dead, I don't know about it. Better to have loved and lost, right?

Keep your head up, Gary.

[Cem]

I'm very sorry to hear, Gary. I hope you and your dad stay close and continue to be there for one another for a long time. Take good care.