The following blog is written by WEWS Managing Editor Jim Scott sharing his experiences about his father who is dying of cancer.

Jim will provide daily updates.

You may e-mail him your comments.

Previous Blogs: Entry One |Entry Two

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The worst possible news came today --- Dad's cancer had returned with a vengence.

Doctors told Mom and me that the tumor in the left lung was massive, and the liver cancer had advanced too. The tests confirmed the cancer had spread throughout his body. Seems that all those months of chemotherapy and radiation just didn't do it.

We always had faith that doctors and treatments would pull him through this, but we also knew these treatments were a part of man's plan, that it would be God's plan that would ultimately prevail.

It's amazing how quickly events can turn. Months ago, we were told the tumor was shrinking, but cancer is a powerful adversary. I now know why he had such trouble breathing. He could barely take a few steps before he had to catch his breath. His doctor said he's too weak for any further chemo or radiation, that either, especially both would surely kill him.

Those are terrible odds for anyone,but remembering that Pop was not in earthly hands, I promised God that I'm okay with whatever the plan is for Pop, and why not? He's okay with it. He's told me he's made his peace with God and he's ready for the journey ahead.

It was Friday before the holiday weekend and his doctor told us he was ready for a care facility with rehabilitation. Medicare pays for this coverage, but that certainly wasn't the consideration. I'd go broke for my parents, after all they made sure that I got the start in life that I needed.

It just felt like they were now rushing him out of the hospital. It felt like since they'd determined his cancer was terminal they were telling us "goodbye, good luck, end of story." It's a pretty helpless feeling too.

I questioned the speed with which they were trying to get him out, after all, it was the start of a holiday weekend. I thought why not wait until Tuesday? That would've given me a day to check out this facility. It didn't happen.

The hospital social worker and primary physician got him all signed up to a care facility; Mom and I signed the papers but mistake number one was my not going to see it first. If you're ever faced with this, make darn sure you take a look see.

Take the extra day or two. I didn't do that and now I'm living with the guilt that he was sent to the wrong place. Please don't misunderstand. I didn't expect the Hyatt Regency, but I did have expectations that this place had trouble meeting.

Dad was taken there and my heart sunk when I first walked into the facility. It's in a former hospital building where my twins sons were born thirty two years ago. The place looks worse than it did back then. At least when my babies were born, it was bright, cheeful, and very clean. Not anymore.

It was the wrong place for Pop, but it was Friday before the holiday and even I with my savvy to make things happen couldn't make a transfer happen right away. It didn't stop me from trying.

I was the on the phone trying desperately. I had found a care facility closer for my family to make visits. I'd seen this place before. It was big and bright and it felt like home, rather than an institution.

I worked the phones as I had never done before. The admissions person at the new place was up front with me saying I probably couldn't get things rearranged in so few hours with a holiday on Monday, but I tried anyway, after all my Pop would've done it for me.

The calls started, first to the Social Worker at the hospital where he came from. When I told her I was dissatisfied with the place he was sent, she was not surprised. She didn't say it, but her voice and demeanor spoke volumes. She told me that all the paperwork was sent to the current facility and they were the ones who had to send it to the place I was trying to get him into.

The rehab hospital said they couldn't fax any hospital paperwork to anyone because of the HIPPA laws and said they didn't have any evaluation information to send the other place because my dad hadn't been evaluated there yet and probably wouldn't be until Monday.

I called back to the hospital social worker, who claimed the rehab facility was wrong. The runaround was now in high gear. I left several messages for his primary physician, but no one called me back. I did get his office and the secretary told me they have no paperwork or information to send.

I felt so lost, so tired, and so frustrated, but it had only just begun. I again called the facility I was trying to move him to. They were all great but they were stuck. Even if they'd gotten the paperwork on my Dad, they'd have to evaluate him and remember the clock is ticking.

I'm not sure if I was more frustrated because I couldn't make it right for my Dad -- he sure would have made it right for me -- or because the system just isn't set up for ease. I'd recommend to every family with an elderly or ill loved one to go through a practice run before you need the system.

Find out about care facilities, the level of services offered by them, whether, and what medicaire or your private insurance pays,how it works, and by all means, go to see these places. You'll be happy you did.

I couldn't get it done. He'd have to stay there until Tuesday, so I figured we'd made the best of it.

From the moment I walked into the place there was not a hint of cheeful. Keep in mind, it was my first time inside a care facility, so if my impressions sound unfair, I apologize in advance.

The person on duty at the main desk seemed friendly enough, so I signed the visitor's register. They gave me the room number for my Dad at the front desk. "4013"

As I left the elevator to his floor the hallway was teeming with patients, all of them elderly and many sitting in wheelchairs with blank stares on their faces. For a fleeting moment I was terrified. I had never seen this. My heart was nearly beating out of my chest as I approached his room.

I put my game face on, not wanting Pop to see the frustration I'd endured trying to get him into another facility. I turned into the room with my best smile, so imagine my surprise when I saw two elderly women in their beds. They gave me the wrong room information at the front desk. He was in "4015", right next door, perhaps an honest mistake, but it was just the beginning.

I can't even bring myself to tell you about Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It was not a pleasant experience. Few of the workers semed happy with their jobs, or even happy with life. I can recall a nurse giving my dad breathing treatments never smiling, never even acknowledging any sort of happiness. How in the world are the patients supposed to be positive when most of those around them appear unhappy? Mom tried to be more upbeat and positive about the situation. She didn't want me to complain too much fearing someone would mistreat him before we got him moved. She was being strong for him, but I just couldn't accept some of the treatment.

In another case my Pop says he rang the call button for a nurse to help him into the bathroom. They asked him on that speaker if he was wearing a depends? That's one of those diapers for adults. He said yes, but he can sit on the pot if he gets help. They told him to just go in his diaper. He did. His dignity took a severe hit that night. Suddenly if felt like the cancer was not the enemy, rather human hands were. Perhaps that's a bit strong, but that's how I felt.

When I saw him on Saturday he looked deep into my eyes with the innocence of child and said "Son, please get me out of here" I promised him I would, but I cried all the way home. it felt like I'd failed him. I just didn't know what to do, but my friend Tracy at work had always asked me if I believed in faith healing. I absolutely do.

We had Dr. Nemeh and his wife, Kathy, pray for him over the cellphone. They called while my Mom was there. It was wonderful, so refreshing so good for all of us. The comfort came immediately and then early tuesday morning the best news yet.

A call from the new care home. "Jim, good news, we're able to take your dad at our facility, and we'll be moving him later today." Oh my gosh, we did it!