The Meaning of Honor

My father has no idea this is happening.

  He's not the kind of man who asks for help. He's the kind of man who defines his worth by his usefulness, productivity, and his ability to affect those around him in a positive way. He's kind of stubborn to that end, but it's a flaw easily forgiven when taken in context.

I on the other hand, am totally not stubborn. At all.

  My father has been presented with a very difficult decision in regards to his treatment for multiple myeloma. This particular type of cancer "occurs when one type of white blood cell, a plasma cell, reproduces without stopping and causes damage to other organs. In most patients, myeloma is found in more than one location and is called multiple myeloma. Normally these cells would create a wide variety of antibodies to support our immune system; instead the cancerous plasma cells take up more and more room in the bone marrow cavity, which leaves less and less room for normal marrow cells"(www.mmore.org). One method of treatment to this is a removal of the bone marrow and replacement with stem cells. These stem cells then grow new bone marrow which sets back the stages of the cancer significantly but does not cure the cancer.
  This treatment is revolutionary and still in an experimental phase. One of the side affects of this type of treatment is that it also sets back the patients immune system completely. This means that you have no immune system to fight off infections and disease, and also make you susceptible to any disease you have been previously immunized against. Think of a new born baby, or someone afflicted with the AIDS virus. This kind of sensitivity precludes my father from being able to do a lot of things; like going outside, eating fresh fruits and vegetables or any kind of shellfish, interacting with animals (such as his two dogs who he loves more than anything)- it also means he will be bed ridden for a number of weeks, and of course very very ill. The time it takes to recover is not certain, but estimated at about three and a half months and possibly up to a year.

How could you not love them? They're Stormtrooper colored.

  Any of these things would be disheartening to hear for a normal person. But like I said previously my father is not your normal person. What is really killing him is that he will not be able to work, to provide income for his family and be a productive member of society. Now make no mistake, my father is into his 60's at this point and all his children are grown and gone- he really has no need to concern himself with providing for us. But that's not the kind of man he is. My Dad has always done more than he needed to, gone the extra mile to make sure everyone was safe and comfortable and happy, and in his mind not being able to make sure of those things is the most crushing blow of all.
  The stem cell treatment could buy my father another 2-3 years of life. There is a chance that in those 2-3 years there could be further scientific developments in the treatment of  multiple myleoma that could cure him or buy him more time in the future. The other option for him would be to simply continue his chemotherapy treatment, which would also slow the cancer down but would only buy him another 2 years. But it's another two years at his current level of productivity, and that to him is inticing.
  It's a tough decision for him. I ate lunch with him and my brother the other day, and he asked us our opinion on the decision. What do you tell someone who is asking your opinion on what they should do in that situation? How do you have an opinion on how long someone you love should live or die, what kind of physical and emotional pain they should have to endure? I responded the only way I could. I told him that the decision was his to make, and whatever he chose I would be supportive of it in every way possible. I also advised him to make the decision as selfishly as possible, because my father has done more for me and his family than any man ever needed to.

My mom and Dad, 30 years of love.

   I would like to clarify that the Troop For The Cure movement is not a plea for assistance. I am not raising money in a last ditch attempt to save my fathers life. My Dad has excellent insurance and can take care of any medical bills beyond that. He is in the hands of great doctors and a loving family who support him and are there to help at any given moment. This movement is meant to carry on the giving and generous character of a man who has lived his life in the service of others, who has worked hard and long hours, who has volunteered in the community, who has never turned his back on someone truly in need, and has raised his children in the tradition of that character.
  As I said in the beginning, my Dad doesn't know any of this is happening. It's a surprise. It's waiting for that special moment, that dark day when he's at his worst. When he questions himself, when he is about to give up hope. It's the kind of gift you give a man who wants for nothing but the happiness and safety of the people he loves and those who cannot take care of themselves. It's a legacy of kindness, fortitude, and integrity that he has left behind. It's a gift to the man who taught me the meaning of honor.

He suspects nothing. 

  It's been about a week since my first blog and it has been a busy one. In addition to continuing construction of the armor I have set up a Facebook page you can add to make it simpler to follow out progress (www.facebook.com/troopforthecure). I have also set up a site where you can donate to the charities Troop For The Cure supports (http://freewebstore.org/troop-for-the-cure). Each donation will be accompanied by a free gift bearing the mark of Troop For The Cure, from t-shirts to stickers and beyond. The proceeds from this fundraiser will go directly and exclusively to charitable organizations such as The American Cancer Society, The Make a Wish Foundation, Arnold Palmer Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, The American Heart Association, etc. or, to special interest causes that need immediate assistance. These funds will be used IN ADDITION to whatever other activities I happen to participate in, be they Relay for Life or other 501st fundraisers.

I appreciate all the support and kind words I've seen on the Facebook page. I've got some of the greatest friends in the world, and I can't wait to show you all whats coming next. Until next time.
-TFTC
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