My dad got his prostate biopsy yesterday morning. I’m going to dedicate this post to him instead of focusing on my own narcissistic butt today. Cancer or no cancer, it’s still a nice butt despite what you may think.
Before he shared the results, he wanted to join me on one of my daily walks around the hospital to avoid getting Lovenox (anti blood clot meds) shot in my abdomen. Trust me, if I had to move 2 miles to avoid getting shot with it, I will drag myself across the filthy hospital floor. It’s that bad.
My brother Jonathan, took this picture of us and I will seriously treasure it forever. Hospital gown and all.
He got the news on Friday morning, but because he didn’t have a chance to share it with my mom, the rest of the family, and his own friends, I wanted to respect his time to communicate with them in his own way.
I’m not sure if I’m relieved for the company or sad for his struggle before him (maybe a little of both), but my dad will be sharing my battle with cancer with his own while he goes through treatment for prostate cancer….Seriously F*ck cancer.
He literally spent the whole day with me yesterday at the hospital while I got my chemo treatment. At the end, I asked him if he had done anything productive while sitting in the chair next to me.
Tonight he told me he had to think of an answer and he said that the most productive thing he could do for himself is to sit next to me and watch me get better, gain weight from eating, joke around with the hospital staff, and just allow my old self to shine through such a difficult time. He said seeing me like this gives him hope and strength for his own outlook.
Last Sunday, he said this would be a Father’s day that he’ll never forget because he was blessed to be an important part of his son’s cancer recovery journey. At the time, I was too sick to even think of getting him something so I wrote him a letter. I’d like to share it with you here.
* Papi,
On this Father’s day 2018 I wanted to specifically thank you for walking with me on this long and difficult journey we have ahead of us.Your dedication to ensure that my outlook coming out of this is as close to 100% is nothing short of amazing. My strength and confidence comes from your strength and confidence. For that I’m thankful that I have you as my father.
While I may get frustrated that you refuse to take no for an answer if it comes to my health from the doctors and the “system”, I know that you do it out of love to ensure that no stone is left unturned and that all options are exhausted.
I think I speak for Kimberly and Jonathan when we say that you are the example of a man after God’s own heart. There’s a reason that the church and our community flock to you for wisdom and discernment as you pray for it regularly from the Lord himself. The reason why things have gone smoothly so far despite our struggles with scheduling appointments is because you were able to gather your army of prayer warriors to help us.
The last two weeks I have felt anger, frustration, fear, and despair. Whereas you have only shown positivity and certainty that God has everything planned out for a reason.
At this point in time, I do not know what your outlook will be in the next week. Whatever it is, know that I’ll do my best to show even half of the resilience that you have during my time of need.
Happy Father’s Day.
Love,
-Andrew
*We’re Latino after all, I grew up calling my dad “daddy” in Spanish. I’m 30, I still call him Papi because that’s who he is
My dad’s always forced us to do what he calls “Family Time” for like +10 plus years. It’s where we hang out in the basement at my parents house every Sunday, chat about our week, and pray one by one. I always thought it was lame but today it was absolutely necessary. Doubly necessary because Panama is playing England tomorrow at 7am.
Jonathan, me, mom, and dad, took our turns praying. While dad was calling out to God to make this Father/Son journey a testament to the world of our trust in Him and His goodness, I heard 2 strikes of thunder outside of my hospital window. I’d like to think that’s God saying that he heard us and that he will.
Perfect testimony of faith…what abounding love!