Life is a Journey

Life is a journey! A good friend of ours started this blog so we could keep everyone updated as to Hugh's condition. Due to the fact that it is almost midnight I thought that I would just give an update and get into more details another time. For those of you reading this, I am sure that you all know that Hugh has had prostate cancer for almost 3 years now. This "cell type" is very aggressive. If I had a nickle for every prostate story that I have heard, I would be a rich lady! Basically, almost every man will die WITH prostate cancer not FROM prostate cancer. Typically prostate cancer occurs in older men and is very slow progressing. The doctors that have been treating Hugh at Huntsman Cancer Hospital say that they have NEVER seen such aggressive prostate cancer. Just our luck! Hugh's dad passed away in 1981 at the age of 52 from prostate cancer as well. Our internist started checking Hugh when he was 40, so we have been cautious and aware of the family history. Still, here we are, facing the same thing that Hugh did when his dad passed away. Hugh was a senior in high school when his dad passed away.
Most recent.....Hugh started chemotherapy on December 23rd, 2010 due to the cancer "not responding to hormone therapy". After four treatments they scheduled him for follow scans to see if the chemotherapy was slowing down the progression of the disease. He tolerated the treatments very well until his fourth treatment. Since then, he has been pretty run down. Well, on March 14th he was scheduled for a bone scan, CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis. He was having a bit of facial numbness around his mouth so I called on that morning and let them know. The oncologist added on a brain MRI as well. Hugh was mad at me for calling them. :)
We received a call first thing Tuesday morning on the 15th telling us that his brain was "full of cancer." The oncologist recommended radiation to slow the progression in his brain and then to consider hospice care. Let's just say that last week was not a very fun week.
At that time, they told Hugh that he could no longer drive due to the metastasis. As most of you know, Hugh loves to ref soccer. This is therapy for him. He was so looking forward to doing so this Spring. Last week, he insisted on reffing a high school game. He was not able to finish. That has been a very sad thing for him.
Hugh started radiation today. They are treating him with 5 treatments at high doses. Radiation to the head really does have few side affects. The radiation oncologist said that it is the easiest place to radiate. Today the home health and hospice agency that I work for signed him on for "palliative care" until he finishes radiation and then he will be on hospice.
We have talked to each of our kids. They are handling it the best that they can and each have a different way of doing so. We have always been very upfront and honest with them all along the way. It has been difficult because this has just happened so quickly. As most of you know, our oldest son, Daren is serving a LDS mission in Mexico City. Our Stake President called and had a long conversation with him this past Saturday. For now, he is taking everything in. We will support whatever Daren decides to do. Knowing Daren, I think that he will stay out serving his mission but he will be the one that will know what he needs to do.
We are trying to get everything in order and cherish every moment. Hugh is weak but is doing okay. He fatigues easily but is still Hugh. Just a smaller, weaker version. :) Words cannot express the appreciation of the support that we have felt. We are so blessed and lucky to have such good friends and family. I feel that I have rambled but we wanted to let you know the latest. When I can gather my thoughts a bit better and when it is not midnight, I will get into more detail. We will keep you all posted. Keep an eye on our kids!

Diane