Dad's Health - More

I doubt I'll update regularly about him, but every once in a while I'll post something.

Yesterday he had a port put in, a biopsy, and a feeding tube inserted into his stomach. Right now he's uncomfortably resting with the help of morphine, though I doubt it's enough. I'm lucky I didn't have surgery like that.

When the doctor says words like invasive, infiltrative, or metastatic, it's rarely a good thing. "Hey, guess what! You've got metastatic esophogeal cancer! Ain't life grand? Now shut up and empty your feeding tube." They still aren't sure if surgery is the right option on the tumor in his neck, but they are pretty sure about radiation and chemotherapy. Most likely an aggressive treatment of chemo and radiation in the same day, every day (or breaks from chemo). He'll be transported from the VA daily for treatment to Philadelphia. I don't know which hospital, but my guess lies with either UPENN or Jefferson. I guess there is a special arrangement with the VA about insurance.

Since my dad retired early, he hasn't had "insurance". He signed up for a health "insurance" saving plan or discount plan, but it didn't cover CT Scans or anything important. He isn't eligible for Medicare until November. However, that could change. Since he was in the army (late sixties), he was eligible for VA care. So that's where he is.

He is nervous, and his main concern is to be able to take his (oldest) grandson fishing this summer.