Updated diagnosis

Surgeon follow-up (Monday 4/18/11):

·    Biopsy results confirmed that I have recurrent metastatic pancreatic cancer

·    During a laparoscopic exploratory surgery on 4/14/11, the surgeon visually identified and confirmed the tumors that were found during the PET scan. Additionally, he found multiple small cancer cell growth areas in the region of the omentum and mesenteric lining of the abdomen

·    Since the new cancer growth is not limited to a single defined area, I’m not a candidate for surgical or radiation (cyberknife, etc) procedures

·    The cancer is classified as systemic, so it must be treated through chemo therapy

Oncologist follow-up (Tuesday 4/19/11):

·    We’re evaluating clinical trial studies that be a good match for my situation

o   I didn’t qualify for the study at Lone Tree Rocky Mountain Cancer Center since my cancer is technically ampullary cancer (ampulla of vater). That study was focused on tumors in the head of the pancreas (endocrine tumors). The ampulla of vater is also known as the hepatopancreatic ampulla, formed by the union of the pancreatic and common bile ducts.

o   We collected all my medical records and CDs/DVDs of radiology imaging and sent them to the University Hospital for further evaluation of clinical trial treatments

·    I’m going back in for minor surgery on Thursday (4/21/11) to have a catheter surgically placed under my skin to make chemo therapy easier

·    Chemo will tentatively begin depending on clinical trial options or one of the 3 FDA approved treatment options

I have access to one of the largest clinical trial databases in the country through the pancreatic cancer action network.  They’ve already been sending me data to evaluate with my oncology team, so I’m borderline at information overload while I’m analyzing.

Thoughts:

·    I’m on solid ground, and dealing with all this in a very balanced and positive manner

·    It’s a little different than last time, since I now have more “processing time” (last time I had about 4 days from ER visit to surgery). However, the result is the same.  10 out of 10 people will die at some point J.  I’ve been “studying for my finals” since 1980. Up until thirty one years ago, I was a die-hard atheist and humanist. I fully investigated the bible, the claims it made, and came to an understanding that I am absolutely sure that God is who he says he is, and that salvation comes by faith in Jesus Christ, the son of God who died for our sins. And if he is who he said he is, he has a plan for my life and that plan includes yielding to him, following the instructions he left for us in the bible, and sharing the love that he placed in my heart.  I haven’t waivered from that belief in the last 31 years. God has given me the strength to fight this battle, and peace in my heart to deal with those thing beyond my control.