Hi all, My brother and I have arrived in Guangzhou, China to be with my mum and dad. Once again a lot has happened in the past week, and unfortunately it hasn't been good - which is the reason why we're here. Last week my dad started having breathing problems which caused him to have heart/panic attacks. The Next Generation: Photo Dynamic Therapy (NG: PDT)** treatment had to be halted for them to see to this problem before they can proceed. The difficult thing is the tumour is causing the breathing issues, but the tumour can't be treated when he has breathing problems. Specialists are trying to sort this out - somehow clear his airway - before moving to the next stage; they reckon it might take a week. **In terms of the effectiveness of this treatment - my dad had showed positive results, the tumour had shrunk apparently, after 2 sessions. And my mum said at the hospital where she was at there were patients near-death who were turned around by NG: PDT. So it is unfortunate that this breathing problem has occurred. [If you know anyone with cancer, I recommend them to seek this option as an alternative to chemo/radiation, etc; they are bringing the technology to Melbourne this year] Emotionally, we are all beyond devastated right now. Seeing my dad in ICU, with tubes coming out of him, looking so frail, there are no words to describe the overwhelming heartbreak we feel. My dad wants to come home to NZ. He has repeatedly said that. He's still fighting and he doesn't want to give up. I've missed him so much. And my poor mum - she's gone to hell and back being here on her own. If it weren't for NG: PDT reps kindly helping her out - with language translation, hospitality, etc - I don't know how she would've made it through. To make matters worse, the costs (medical, living, airfares etc) are stacking up and it's astronomical. We could've given up - but we just can't, especially when there are options left. My dad is still breathing. How do you just let someone you love die? My mum and dad have been together happily married for almost 35 years; my mum can't just give up on him like that. My dad has given me and my brother the most amazing love and care for the last 30 years; this is the least I can do to repay him back. I don't really know how to express the kind of trauma, stress and sadness we're all feeling right now. Those who've had loved ones succumb to cancer will know all to well, and I hope everyone else who is reading will understand - everything about it is absolutely horrible. All my wonderful friends and family - and anonymous donors - have been enormously supportive already, more than I can imagine, and we're all extremely moved - so I really hate to ask for more, but this IS a plea of desperation. After seeing my dad today... it's such a heartbreaking, horrifying thing to witness. I've never cried so much. We're at a complete loss. We need a miracle. And we still live in hope. I'll continue to report on my dad's condition while I'm here, and I'll try post photos tomorrow. Thanks, Aaron PS special thanks for Finbarr and Charlotte for the article in the Sunday News, and everyone who came along to the Blue Velvet benefit screening. PPS We're staying in a cheap hotel 10 minutes walk from the hospital. A bit of weird culture shock even though I'm Chinese. There are barely any English signs around and my Mandarin/Cantonese is non-existent.
