Dad update

Updated on the bottom:

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I just finished watching Michael Moore's "Sicko" and damned if it didn't mention all of these kidney cancer patients dying because of not having healthcare. Might as well called each and everyone of them "dad." Thanks Michael.

Yep, he doesn't have health insurance. He was paying for it but it was over $600/month and so he dropped it because he couldn't afford it. Cue mean ass kidney cancer to come in....and voila. Shit load of problems.

So dad is having surgery to remove the entire kidney on Thursday, March 12 at 7 am in Arlington. They wanted to schedule him for April 9 but his wife, thankfully, put her foot down and said no - find an appt. sooner or we'll find another doctor. So they "squeezed" him in.

I'm really worried about him having just one kidney because of his diabetes. I hope he can get that under control better.

So now I'm thinking I'll be supporting my dad soon. No health insurance - having kidney cancer - equals bad news. I wished he had insurance...but what can I do?

I think if the documentary hadn't mentioned people dying of kidney cancer that didn't have insurance...I'd be feeling a little bit better now. Instead I feel worse about this situation for him.

From what I gather, it's hard to find information out of him other than "I'm fine," it's in a Stage 2 heading into 3. They will be doing X-rays and other tests (blood, EKG, etc.) before surgery to make sure it hasn't spread. Kidney cancer usually spreads to liver, lungs, then bone.

A little bit of history:
I don't speak to my mother anymore...haven't in years. She's a mental nutcase. I don't have anything to do with any of dad's brothers or sisters because they sold my grandparents farm to make a little money when they requested in the will it stay in the family. They fought my dad until he couldn't pay for the lawyer fees anymore for months. My dad is my only family, besides my hub and daughter and hub's parents, I have left. I swear if anything happens to him....I just don't know how I'd cope.

He has to pull through....medically and financially. This will not ruin him.

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UPDATE:

Just got word today that dad's MRI showed lesions and abnormal growths on his GOOD KIDNEY!!! WTF.....seriously...throw me a bone here....