My DAD, my WORLD!!!

Michael Everette Riley

You never know what someone is going through when a loved one, family member is sick and dying of Cancer until you actually go through it yourself. On August 27th, 2007, my dad went into the hospital with stomach and back pain. I remember when my mom told me he was in the hospital, because it was after they had left, and after I got off work, and after visiting hours were over. I was confused, because my dad had only complained of being sick and not feeling well for a couple days. I didn't really know why he was in the Hospital, but didn't have a good feeling when a night in the hospital turned into 3 nights in the Hospital and 4 days. On Thursday, August 30th, I got the worst phone call I've ever received thus far. It was my dad calling, I was at work, and luckily the Lord worked it out that I got off at 5pm that day as I had changed shifts with a co-worker, because she needed that morning off to babysit her Granddaughter. My dad's voice was calm, and he asked how I was, like any normal conversation, and he finally told me the chilling words that no daughter is ready to hear, "Well, the Doctor says I have Cancer, my biopsy tested positive in my liver and pancreas for cancer, I don't know what stage it's in, but we'll find out soon". You are never ever prepared for a phone call like that.

September 11, 2007, my mom and I drove to the doctor with my dad to find out his prognosis, what stage the cancer is in, and what his treatment would be, we had no idea that what we were about to hear would affect the way we spent the next few months.

My dad has Stage IV Metastasis Pancreatic Cancer (Un-Operable). I knew instantly this wasn't good, I've always heard that Pancreatic cancer is the worst kind to have. My world changed on September 11, just as it did six years ago when we all heard about the attacks on the world trade center. My trade center came crumbling down, my dad, my super hero, my mister fix it, the man who knows it all, the man who can do all things, the man who always placed his family before himself, my beloved earthly father. My dad is now taking Morphine for pain, medicine for nasuea, chemo treatments once a week for the next 7 weeks, then he will get a week break, then will take 3 more weeks of chemo treatments, only to prolong his life as much as possible. What I'm wondering, is what kind of life is it where the quality of life is shot to the ground for the quantity of life. I am lost, and have never felt such sadness in all of my life. I wish it was me, and not him. He doesn't deserve it.


Yesterday was my dads first Chemo treatment, it made him so nasueasous, my heart breaks for him. Last night the Lord blessed me with an overwhelming peace in my heart. I am grateful that I have two Fathers, an earthly Father and a Heavenly Father. I am grateful that I have what sweet, short precious time my dad has left, to spend with him, loving him, and caring for him, some people don't get that chance, some people lose their parents fast, and never really get the chance to spend time with them before they pass. I am blessed to know that my Father will be in heaven, with my heavenly Father, and that I will be able to be with him again someday. Some people never get the assurance that their loved ones were indeed saved, and I know that my Father is saved, and to be honest with you, I'm jealous he's going to heaven sooner than I am! I want to be there! No fair! Ha :)


Anyways, my friends and family have been my rock, and my support. I've found who my true friends are the past two weeks, and I've found that quality of life really does outweigh the quantity of it. I never knew that I could be loved and supported so much by my great friends. You all know who you are, because I have let you know, how important you are to me, and how much I appreciate you. There are so many names, that I wouldn't have the room to type them here. I love all my friends, and my family, and wouldn't trade you for the world!


Pray for my dad, pray for my family, pray for quality of life within yourself, pray for togetherness, for forgiveness, pray for peace and understanding, thank the Lord for his willingness in our lives, for He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and maker of all things, He is my support, He is my best friend, He is my shield, He is my calm in the storm, and I will PRAISE Him because of it! Love your family, spend as much time with your family as possible, when I found out that my Grandma had cancer (she is also dying of cancer right now too) I tried to spend every weekend with her, every moment possible, I am blessed that she has moved up to Akron to be with us, especially at a time like this. I mean it, spend as much time with your family as you can, love the things they do that drives you crazy, enjoy the togetherness, we don't have a shelf life, not on this earth anyways, make sure your heart is right with the Lord, make sure he is your Maker, TRUST IN HIM!!!!


I leave you with this...


Maybe you're overwhelmed right now by the size of what's in front of you. You're overwhelmed by the undone, by your responsibilities, by the expectations, by that massive challenge, that unsolvable problem, or that unfixable situation. It's time you bowed before the Lord Jesus each new day and crown Him Lord of your undone, your undoable, or your unbearable. You've been trying to figure it out, to worry about the whole huge tapestry. That is His problem. He will put together the big thing through you doing each day faithfully. He does the tapestry. You do today.



I LOVE YOU FRIENDS AND FAMILY...YOU ARE MY ROCK!!!