Dad Has Lost 65 Pounds

In an earlier post I mentioned that my dad had pancreatic cancer. Since the last time I talked to him on the phone (about two weeks ago) he has lost sixty five pounds. I didn't think it would be this quick - I really thought he'd have more time. Good thing he didn't spend all that money on those surgery's. He was too far gone. Geez, I can't beleive it.

Metal Plaques Were Replaced

I wanted to thank the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department for replacing all of the metal plaques in the Salem Capitol Mall flag area. I walked around the display and saw they were all put back. I also wanted to thank all of the people who donated them. Now if those metal thieves will just stay away from them. It looks like they were inset in marble and should be harder to steal.

Western Days In Independence a Hit !

I took my family to see the fireworks in Independence Oregon and had a really good time. Here is a video of the fireworks grand finale. Hope you enjoy !

Special Hours

Yesterday, I spent two hours with my young son. We spent some time at the playground, watched a kite fly and visited our neighbor and his little girl. My wife and daughter went to get hair cuts. I'm amazed by his calmness. I've raised several girls and I never could make them happy no matter how much I tried. I imagine that when he gets into his teens, things will change, but I really enjoyed these two hours.

It almost made me forget about my Dad's illness. Then I thought about what he is going to miss.

Surgery Cancelled Due To Lack of Down Payment

The hospital (I won't name it directly, but it is the big one in Portland that has a carnival ride that crosses I-5) decided to cancel my dad's pancreatic cancer surgery because of his inability to come up with a down payment. My father is one of those people that is getting social security but not getting Medicare and too poor to pay for health insurance. The hospital finance people (not the doctors) decided not to do the surgery until he came up with the down payment of $7,000. This is ONLY 10 percent of the EXPLORATORY surgery. This is to find out exactly where the cancer is. The down payment to do the surgery to remove it is probably ten times that. Simply put, my dad's life has had a price put on it. Luckily this state has assisted suicide. Oh yeah, you have to go through those finance types for that too!

How You Live or Die Matters !

Well, it has been an interesting last few days which I spent visiting my mom and dad. Ultimately A trip to Portland for surgery was set for next week. During the visit I watched my dad go through several different moods that varied from happy to angry to depressed. The moods are understandable given the situation he is in. At least they are understandable to a certain point. I saw my dad get so depressed that he did not want to get out of bed, shave or get out of his bathrobe. Family came by to see him and there he was still in his bathrobe. I finally had to say something. I told him that how he lives or dies matters. What I meant by that was that his family is watching him and learning whether he is living or dying according to what he has told them his whole life. This is where they see if he really does believe that his "spirit father" is going to take away his cancer. I told him he needs to suck it up and get ready for his surgery. I know, you probably think I have no room to talk not being a cancer survivor myself. I'm looking at it through my own eyes. How my dad lives or dies will have a profound effect on how I view my own mortality. I guess it is my job to give him a conscience right now. Anyway, what I told him seemed to give him a renewed sense of pride. How long it lasts, I don't know. I do know he isn't going to get out of going through with the surgery!

Not Wanting This Blog To Be A Sad Place To Go

I do not want SalemPappy to be a blog as a sad place to go. My father getting sick is just part of the circle of life. I write about his sickness really to educate and to put my feelings down in writing. My dad is a half Osage Indian. He has certain beliefs about life and death. I plan to put those ideas and feelings down in this blog. That is really what writing about his final journey is all about. I intend to tell his story as if death is just the beginning. I plan on telling it from my dad's perspective which is sort of a pseudo native American and mountain man way. Weird, I know. To him it makes sense though. So if it seems too sad, it's not meant to be.

Diagnosis - Pancreatic Cancer

In an earlier post I mentioned how my dad was getting a stint in his pancreas or liver. Yesterday I found out that during the procedure the doctor found a tissue mass on both sides of the pancreas. After sending the tissue mass in for a biopsy it was found to be cancerous. From what my mother tells me, dad is getting worse by the day. So tomorrow I'm going to see him. I need to see for myself and I want to be able to say a few words to him in case his time on earth is short. I don't know much about pancreatic cancer but I've heard some people live up to three years with it and that it is painful. I'll post updates as I find out more.

I Meant End of PAID Advertising

In an earlier post I stated that I was ending advertising on this website. What I meant was I would end paid advertising like Google, etc. Lately I've put advertising on this site for free Salem, Oregon related venues. It is for your benefit. Plus I'm trying to help other Salem area websites get the word out. So if you were expecting no advertising, I apologize. In the meantime, you may find something you like on these other Salem, Oregon related websites.

Wisdom Teeth No Longer Hurt

My wisdom teeth finally stopped hurting about two weeks ago, almost two months after they were pulled. Food still gets down in the holes left by the extraction, but there is no more pain. Keep in mind, my wisdom teeth were under the skin when they were pulled making it a longer recovery period. So, if you are having wisdom teeth pulled and they are under the skin, I'd prepare for at least a 45 day recovery period.