This has been a crazy, happy, and sad week. I have been in and out of touch with my dad Ron for the past 32 years. About 3 years ago we got back in touch after not seeing him for about 6 years. We didn't talk much over the past 3 years but I did speak with my brother Nick and sister Raynell over the past few years. I would get updates about my dad through them and we also became closer. A couple weeks ago Raynell gave me Sandy's email which is my dad's wife to get an update on my dad. I emailed her to see how things were going but did not get good news. He was going in for pancreatic surgery due to all the medications he has had to take over the years. The doctors were going to remove a cyst from his pancreas or the whole thing if needed.

Last Wednesday night Justin, Max and myself drove to Portland to meet them at their hotel (which we stayed at too). We talked for a couple of hours and my dad and Sandy had a ball with Max. Nick eventually showed up and we all went out for Chinese food. We all had a good time catching up and laughing at silly stuff. Especially how me, nick and my dad have big bottom lips and it looks like we are pouting. We all definitely have similarities. Sandy and I talked for a bit and I learned more about my dad. Sandy has been so great to us. Very blessed to have her in our lives.

Thursday morning my dad went to the VA Hospital to check in and the rest of us came a little later. He was supposed to get surgery in the AM but didn't end up going in until the afternoon. We had to head home so Sandy was going to call us with an update. We all didn't expect the outcome we got so we were all pretty calm about the whole thing. I didn't hear anything from Sandy so I called her on Sunday. I had a feeling something was wrong since I didn't hear from her. When the docs opened up my dad's stomach, they saw cancer. They couldn't operate due to this so they sewed him back up and had to wait for biopsies to see what was going on. Tonight I called my sis Jen to let her know what was going on so she called my dad. Sandy let her know he has pancreatic cancer and he will start chemo this week. I guess their prognosis is 2 years. Personally I don't let doctor's determine the length of someones life. God determines that. Tomorrow I will call Sandy to see how long he will be in the hospital so we can go visit.

During our stay last week, I learned a lot about my dad from Sandy. My dad served in the Army at the age of 18 and was sent to Vietnam to fight. He was in special operations which I guess is a green beret. I'm not familiar with Army terminology so I have a lot to research. While in Vietnam (Okinawa) he was a POW (not sure for how long), shot 6 times and transferred to a hospital in whichever city that was. I'm not too sure. He was in a coma for 6 months and his mother was told he was dead. This is because his tags were found by another soldier so they assumed he was dead. However 6 months later he called his mom to say he was alright. What a shock that would be to his mother. Forgive me on the details. I'm recalling what I can.

My dad is very strong and brave and gave me a lot of hugs and kiss while I saw him last week. That made me very happy! No matter how much time has passed, it does not change the way I feel about him. He is still my dad, I still feel a bond and love him as if I have been around him my whole life. Life is short and you never know what will be dealt your way. I'm just glad I didn't wait to get back in contact with him when it was too late.