Well, per my usual I have completely forgotten to update about anything in my life. I guess that's what happens when you have a lot going on! But at this moment, if you are reading this, my family desperately needs your prayers.
My best friend's/pseudo sister/asexual soul mate's father, Scott, has been diagnosed with Stage IIIc melanoma. He is more than just her dad to me - he is in a sense, a father to me as well. I was blessed with a wonderful father of my own - and also this family, this man, who have taken me in as their own. When I think of him - I think of strength, logic, zest for life, a love of family and all things southern.
This is the man who stopped at nothing to track us down when we were up to no good. When we thought we couldn't be found out - we were wrong. He dragged our butts out of several bad situations as teenagers. He encouraged us when we needed it. At times, he kicked us straight in our posterior. He took me to football games and taught me what real man's sarcasm was and how to take it. He held my hand and reassured me everything would be OK when I was in the ER, scared to death, and strapped to a stretcher. He was never short on kind words and praise for me, and was always there when we needed him - even if we didn't think so. He loves my babies like his very own grandchildren - and they love him...and so do I.
And now, he is fighting for his life. And we are all - SO. SCARED. When we asked what the prognosis was, we were told he will have to fight hard and it will be treated aggressively. This particular type of cancer is very resistant to typical treatment and the best recommendation is clinical trials. It is very likely once treated it will come back and the 5 year survival rate is 24-29%. Drop that by 10% for the 10 year survival rate. He is 43 years old with a 24, 20, 17, and 10 year old children. He has his first grandchild on the way and a wife and family who adore him. He has to live.
He is determined and strong - and if nothing else he has his otherwise healthy and active lifestyle to help him fight this battle. If anyone can beat this, he can. We are just at the beginning stages of this journey - but every prayer counts. If you are reading this, please pray with us, for this wonderful man's strength, health, determination, and peace....it will be a long road ahead but I am as sure as I am in God above, that this is a battle than can be won by Scott Petty.
