We are so blessed and thankful that our father has an amazing number of folks who want to be kept up to date on his progress that we figured we'd put it all together in one place.  Here's a bit of the story and an update...

In January this year after a fall down stairs and a scan to assess damage, there were spots on Dad's pancreas and lungs.  In April it was determined he has pancreatic cancer which is also in his lungs.  Dad being who he is decided to try to fight it and started a six-session chemo treatment plan through Sloan Kettering.  Of course, that reduces the immune system, right?  Well when a tiny little tick bit him--which he didn't even know happened (the chemo in his blood probably killed it quickly!)--it managed to give him a bacterial infection called Anaplasmosis.  None of us had ever heard of it, but it's becoming just as prevalent as Lyme Disease, and thankfully the hospital near the Lake knew to look for it.  People here are amazed that with his compromised immune system he actually survived that, though it wasn't easy.  Next up--the Kidneys.  Because of the chemo, plus all the antibiotics and dye injected into his body to diagnose and treat him, they started to work less and less and toxins have built up.  Happily, they're getting stronger and stronger--yay!  Just when we thought he was firmly on the upward climb, some bleeding ucler got him and he lost a TON of blood--scary for him and us.  After 8 transfusions and two procedures, they managed to get that treated and his numbers have been slowly rising.  However, since he's really been in bed for sixteen days now, he's very weak and it's slow going.  But here comes the good part--we are hoping he'll be transferred and transported down to Long Island this week!  It's hoped he will go straight to his apartment in East Meadow--with full time care of course, but he might need a stop at a rehab facility first.  

I'll update again when he's heading in that direction.  Dad is so happy that he will be able to see so many of you, so when he's up for visiting we will send out a link through this site and actually create a sign up, so it'll be easier for Christine to keep track of who is coming and going and not have too many people visiting him at one time so he's not too tired out.  We are so grateful for all the prayers, well wishes, offers of support and letter's Dad's been receiving.  He is blessed, and so are we, so thank you!

Jennifer