My brother has been in since Feb. 26th 2004. My dad hasn't been feeling well since then. Thursday he ended up in the hospital for the first time ever in his 71 years of life! We have now found out he has cancer, and will find out which one, today. How do I let my brother know about this? Dad didn't want him to worry about him, so my brother only knows his leg is swollen, which has also caused congestive heart failer. If I call, would he get the message? Visitations are only on the weekends. I work weekends. I don't know what to do !:confused: Please help if you can. My brother's in Springfield, SD Thanks! Tony's sister

Tony's sister,

You can contact the facility chaplin, let him know your situation and he will bring him in to the chapel to call you. That is usually the quickest way. Hope this helps!


My brother has been in since Feb. 26th 2004. My dad hasn't been feeling well since then. Thursday he ended up in the hospital for the first time ever in his 71 years of life! We have now found out he has cancer, and will find out which one, today. How do I let my brother know about this? Dad didn't want him to worry about him, so my brother only knows his leg is swollen, which has also caused congestive heart failer. If I call, would he get the message? Visitations are only on the weekends. I work weekends. I don't know what to do !:confused: Please help if you can. My brother's in Springfield, SD Thanks! Tony's sister

Any bad news is hard to deliver, but Ren is right. The facilities are pretty good about having the chaplain's involved. I'll keep your family in my prayers.

Thanks for the advice! I don't know how to get ahold of the chaplin. Do I just call the prison and ask them for the chaplin? I left a message the weekend before that his father-in-law was in the hospital, but he didn't evan get that message. Should I wait until after I find out which cancer it is? We are thinking hodgkens, but I would hate to tell him the wrong one! Thank you for the prayers!

Call the unit and ask for the chaplain as it is a family emergency. I'd wait to have all the information as you may not be able to get a message to him later. The chaplains are great as long as there is a true emergency ( serious problem).

My prayers are with you and your family.

The test results weren't in yet, but I did call the prison. They said they didn't have a Chaplain on duty right then, but they just told Tony to call me, which he did. I talked to him about it, and the prison told me they'd have the warden and counselors available if he needed it. Thanks to all of you! Diane, Tony's sister