Sunset

When I first started this blog I thought I'd use it as a place to write about stuff that was on my mind, be it personal stuff, stuff that interests me, the Sharks, photography, etc. Somewhere along the way that got lost and this became a bi-weekly place to post a photo (which has taken on a new avenue of stress, oddly enough). Well, here goes a little something different, or more accurately, getting back on plan.

As some of you know my dad was diagnosed with cancer 2.5 weeks ago. And, as some of may know, my dad's health prior to cancer wasn't great to begin with. The cancer is of the throat, and surprisingly enough not related to smoking, which he's been doing for at least 50 of his 78 years. Treatment is targeted radiation therapy and a type of chemotherapy specially designed for this type of cancer. The first step of the treatment was to have started last week with a surgical biopsy done in an area behind his vocal chords and the insertion of a feed tube because during the radiation it becomes nearly impossible to swallow food. Radiation and chemo was to happen for about 7 weeks, and it could take upwards of a year for my dad to recover from its effects. At the end of this the best we could hope for is a reduction in size of the tumor. There is no cure. There is no hope of it going away.

My mom and I weren't sure if this was really the best plan. My dad hardly got out of bed pre-cancer and his mental facilities aren't what they once were. His short term memory is pretty shot, and he had to be constantly reminded why we're visiting another doctor, that he has cancer, and what the treatment would be, but he was adamant he wanted treatment. As the initial surgery was approaching we could see it hitting him, and the doubt about whether or not he could do it, or even wanted to do it. The day before the surgery he, his primary doctor, mom, and myself made the decision to not seek treatment. I whole heartedly believe this is the right decision, but that doesn't mean there's no guilt to go with it.

Today's photo is the sunset I didn't set out to watch but got lost in my thoughts of life and death and my dad, and watched it happen.

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Some of you might be wondering about my GPLUS 52 project photo. The topic was self portrait, and as a courtesy to you I decided to not post it on here. Though if you really want to see it (and the 21 other shots) you can go here