Number 3

The summer after my freshman year in college, I worked and at the end of the summer before starting my sophomore year, my family was at our house, sitting on our couches, having just gotten back from dinner and my dad told us that cancer had come back for a third time.  This time it was in several different areas including his stomach.  Again, stunned, it felt like someone punched me in the face and then told me to get up and deal with this for a third time.  It was upsetting, because I was in college, and I was not supposed to be dealing with this.  This time they did a new treatment about once or twice a month, where he went to a cancer treatment center for a full day each time.  I remember one day, sitting and watching my dad shake from the chemicals that they were putting into him and thinking that no one should have to go through this, especially my dad.  Around Halloween weekend, I remember calling my mom to tell her I was going to see dad that day. She told me that I did not need to and they were going to stop the treatment. We found out the treatment was not working and that the cancer was getting worse and spreading.  I remember thinking that this was not possible and wanting everything to stop.  I wanted God to take all of the cancer away and my dad to experience good health and for my family to not have to deal with this anymore.  Over the next few weeks my parents went up to Emory University in Atlanta, GA where the decision was made to do a bone marrow transplant.  To be honest, I was scared.  I had never even heard of a bone marrow transplant.  Once my mom told me about it and how it used to be done, which if my dad had to go through that, I would have not wanted him to go through that.  My mom and dad told my sister and I that it would not be as painful of a process, which helped me feel a little better about it, but to be honest I still did not want my dad to go through this, especially with what he was going through and had gone through.  

Thanks for reading and God Bless,

Patrick Mastrianni

Round 2

During my high school sophomore year, my mom, dad and sister were at the house.  They came into my room and my dad let us know that cancer had come back.  It was such a surreal moment, sitting there stunned, not believing what was just said.  He told us that they were going to try a new experimental treatment.  To be honest, I did not want to deal with this again, especially now being older and already having responsibilities.  It really felt like someone had punched me in the face and I didn't know how to react.  I did not do very well in high school with my grades.  It did not help that my dad was a teacher at the time, which caused tension between us.  It was hard to see at the time, but I now realize that my dad only wanted me to do the best that I could while in school.  It was also difficult to focus on school, because of my dad being sick and having to taking on responsibilities.  With cancer coming back a second time, my dad had a difficult time dealing with it.  He didn't understand why God would allow it to come back a second time, especially with the health issues he had in between the first and second time.  To this day, I can remember the cough he got from the first time he got cancer and the health issues he dealt with up to this time and even after.  I remember there were times when my dad would get angry about cancer coming back and us talking about it.  As a son, you don't really know what to say and really feel helpless, because your dad is supposed to be healthy.  For those that don't know, my dad was probably the most curious person I ever knew and is probably still asking God questions, just like he said he would once he got there.   

Thanks for reading and God Bless,

Patrick Mastrianni




First Time

When my dad first got cancer, I was 9 years old.  At that age you don't really understand what is going on, and don't think that your parents can get sick, especially your dad, who is supposed to be Superman (my dad's favorite superhero).  During his first intermission and as I got older, I understood more of what was going on.  Even though he did not have cancer during that time, he had many other issues stemming from it,which I still remember today and how hard it was for him.  Even with those health issues, he tried to be the best husband and father he could.  He loved working outside and with his hands, which cancer could never take away, especially with how stubborn he was.  That is what always inspired me most about him, even with literal poison being pumped through him and other medication that he had to take, he still persevered through that.  Looking back, his dependence on God to get him through that was even more inspiring.  His first intermission lasted until my sophomore year in high school.

Thanks for reading and God Bless,

Patrick Mastrianni

15 Years

Hello,

my name is Patrick Mastrianni.  I am currently 24 years old and live in Savannah, GA. For 15 years, starting when I was 9 years old, my dad had cancer three different times and other health related issues.  For the last four years, he had a bone-marrow transplant, which entailed health issues itself.  On April 29, 2013, he finally went home to be with the Lord.  Since then, God has taught me a lot about my dad and my family.  It is still hard to believe that he is gone, but know that God will walk beside me and my family through this process.  The purpose of this blog is to help others who may currently or have gone through similar circumstances.  It is also to share my story and let you all know what I have experienced with my father's illness and also how God has guided me and my family through this experience.  Over these few months, I have realized what an honor it was to be my father's son and am thankful for the time I was able to spend with him while he was sick.

Hope you enjoy,

Thanks for reading and God Bless