Holy crap, it has been one hell of a week! On Tuesday night, after my father-in-law was admitted to the hospital following multiple incidents of falling and fainting, doctors ran a bunch of tests and concluded that the culprit was leukemia, specifically CMML. The physician suggested a series of chemo treatments (to start the very next day: Wednesday, January 25), with the goal of providing two years of “good quality of life.” Say, what? Just. like. that. Life changes in a flash.

On Tuesday evening, J used his United MileagePlus points (once again… the only airline that offers non-gouging award flights on zero notice) to fly out first thing Wednesday morning. He already had a trip planned back East for February 1, but given the complexity and severity of the situation, sooner seemed better. The family delayed the chemo start one more day so they could discuss the approach further amongst themselves and seek additional clarification from the doctor. My FIL was very apprehensive about undergoing such a plan with his advanced age, but after further consultation, chemo emerged as the only true option forward.

J’s presence has been instrumental in handling meals for his mom, shuttling her to the hospital to visit dad, and keeping track of all the medical info. Similar to my experience in May 2015 when my grandfather underwent brain surgery and was laid up in the ICU, J is exhausted doing all these things that fall under the generic yet inadequate umbrella term of “caretaking.” Jesus, that term totally does not do the role justice.

Anyway, so far the chemo has gone well. J says Dad goes in and out of lucidity (supposedly very common among old folks) and he is increasingly weak, but the doctor says the post scans and blood results show the treatment is performing as expected. Good news!