It Pulsates
7 June 2004
In April, 2004, when my 82-y/o father underwent a CT-guided biopsy of a lung mass, we were not prepared for a much greater problem... a 5cm x 7cm AAA. He was asymptomatic and looked really fit for his age. However, further tests showed that his heart would not be able to withstand any surgery.
He is now undergoing radiation therapy for his stage 2B lung cancer. I am greatly worried about his AAA which is really "visible" - it pulsates! - my mom recalls him saying long before it was diagnosed that his heart must have traveled down to his stomach. He wants to take a 12-hour plane trip (plus the almost 3 hours check-in/waiting at the Manila airport and at least 1 hour at Los Angeles International Airport) as soon as he finishes his radiation therapy.
Most of my siblings are in the US and I have one sister who is not eligible to fly. I believe he is most concerned about her not being able to fly home in case something happens to him. Local doctors have said it is okay for him to travel and two of the doctors on this website too have said the same. Since I have been designated travel companion, I feel so much of the burden of making sure he makes it to the US and back.
If you have been in a similar situation or just want to comment on my situation, I will be happy to hear from you.
Update: 25 October 2004
After I posted in June this year regarding my father's lung cancer and 5cm AAA, I was so afraid the latter would take him. Well, my father got to take that 12-hour long trip to L.A., spent some 3 happy months with his children there. In early October his anuerysm had grown to 6.1cm and any operation wasn't possible because his heart could no longer take it. At the same time, we found out the lung cancer had metastasized to his liver and that became the start of his deterioration. I was able to join him here in L.A. only last Oct. 13.
He lost an incredible amount of weight but his abdomen was distended. I had the whole morning of the 13th talking to him and feeding him his favorite Japanese crackers I picked up on my stopover. In the same afternoon, his BP starting going down; on the next day, he was comatose and on Friday evening October 15, he finally gave up the ghost.
He crossed over very peacefully and with very little pain that we could see. He could either been just trying to put a brave front - doctors said what he was going through was extremely painful - but I believe in prayers, so I know that Mother Mary and Jesus were there to comfort him on his last few hours.
Well, I am sorry I couldn't share any treatments he underwent for AAA because doctors did not advise them. I just want to thank you all who have read my narrative, emailed me or even just said a little prayer as you come across my post.
Thank you to you all.
Discussion, comments, or questions: Cherrie Platon
© Copyright 2004 Cherrie Platon
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