Confirmed

Attempting a photo with five squirmy girls.

After several months of intermittent difficulty swallowing, feeling bloated, and struggling with energy (this is a man who has run 2+ miles daily pretty much since birth, so he knows how it should feel), an upper endoscopy last month to stretch his esophagus revealed a surprise tumor and suspected esophageal cancer.

Several tests and much waiting later, yesterday we met with Dad's oncologist who confirmed the tumor is malignant. He used terms like "large," "ulcerated," "locally advanced," "poorly differentiated," and "not nice." It's real. It will have to be treated soon. The good news is there is currently no visible cancer elsewhere in his body, so surgery is an option.

The next step is a trip to Tampa next week to meet with doctors at the Moffitt Center for a second opinion. After that, assuming the diagnosis is confirmed, we're looking at radiation, chemo, and--if all goes well--surgery.

Thankfully, despite difficulty swallowing some foods, Dad can eat most foods and get plenty of energy and nutrition. Here is polishing off some ribs Jesse smoked and enjoying a lecture on various topics by Sylvie.

Dad is anemic, which is the reason for the sluggish running performance, but he is feeling good and has plenty of energy for everything else in daily life, including playing hoops with granddaughters.