Hi, Here is my serious post... I have been really struggling today b/c I just found out that my dad (who I am very very close to) was re-diagnosed with cancer. He had an aggressive form of skin cancer about a year and a half ago (that required both chemo and radiation) and it came back (I just found out today, though he found out yesterday).

He lives in Ohio and has been and (still is) a source of much inspiration and encouragement for me, he is my biggest cheerleader. I miss him terribly and I got to see him for the first time in 3 years just about 2 months ago (at the end of July) and that was such a precious time for me. he and i talk almost everyday and we are sooooooooo close!

i try to focus on the positive but it is sooooo hard b/c I miss him and yet again b/c of me working and b/c of his health I can not physically be with him during this time.

It brings tears to my eyes to think about how he looked (the cancer transformed his face significantly as they had to remove a significant portion of the left side of his face and neck to remove the nerve that the cancer had spread too the first time).

this time the cancer is on his left temple (the area right above and to the side of the left eye) and we have no idea how deep it has metastisied too (last time it was a half an inch deep while in the skin cancer phase and metastisized to the size of a lemmon wraped around the trigeminal nerve). Very scary stuff!

I could use some encouragment/ support right now (i know I've been comming here a lot lately looking for that and ya'll have provided it in much abundance and for that I am so grateful!!!) Thank you so much for the love and support, i need it right now.

when all this blows over I'm gonna try to give back to the community and offer more encouagement to ya'll but for right now, I am sooooo drained and beat down from all that has happened that I need a little boost to help me stay on track.

Sincerely,

bobcat

Oh Bobcat, I am so sorry for your sadness and being so far away from your dad. Please keep your hopes up that the last time it went away and this time it will too. The doctors have come so far in treatment of skin cancer. I have a very good friend who has had it three times in the same spot.

just remember we are here for you when you need us.

I am sorry it has reappeared, prayers and thoughts for you and your father, and for a quick recovery from it again

I'm sure it's not easy to imagine the worst for someone you love so much. It wasn't easy for me either when my daughter turned up with a rare form of cancer.

Just like with this disease, it's one day at a time. It is what it is. You cannot change it now. But, like with this, you can pray that it gets better or isn't as bad as it seems. And so can we.

Your dad's a survivor. He's got you by his side no matter what happens. So hang in there and be a cheerleader for him.

We got your back!

Sorry to hear this news. I'll say a prayer for you.

Sending prayers up for you and your dad.

So sorry to hear, Bobcat.

Cherie

(((hugs))) you and your father will be in my thoughts.

I'm so sorry your Dad's cancer has returned. It's so hard when we can't be with them at times like this.

Oh, no. I'm so sorry he has to go through this wringer again. I hope he'll kick this one too; add me to the prayer team for him. You take care of Rachael, too, okay?