Life with pancreatic cancer

Hi folks! To catch up with where I am in this journey let me first post the history of how I have now arrived at the beginning of my Chemotherapy.

In early July of 2006 I began having pain as intense a a kidney stone, but in the front of my abdomen and wrapping around both sides. My first episode of pain lasted for two hours and I didn't have another painful episode for two months. During this time I noticed my stool had become kakey colored and floated. I reported my symptoms to one of the nurses who said it sounded like I had obstructive gall bladder disease. I went immediately to see my Doctor who ordered a CT scan. Nothing was seen on the CT, so I had an ultrasound which did show bile sludge and a narrowing of the distal duct. Next came a month of lab tests for hepatitis A,B & C Epstien - Barr and CMV. All normal. All the while, my Bilirubin rose to 16. My GI doctor then suggested a liver biopsy to which I said "No!" I didn't want to poke a hole into something I'm trying to get well. He then suggested an MRI. This showed that the papllia of the Ampula of Vater had closed off the Sphyncter of Odi resulting in an obstruction. I then had an ERCP to place a stent to resume flow. Immediately I saw improvement. Within a week my Bilirubin had returned to 1.6. The brushings didn't show any cancer and I began thinking now everything was OK and that with time the then believed infection would heal and the stent could be removed. However, each time the stent was removed my symptoms returned. During one of the ERCPs an actual biopsy was done which eventually did demonstrate cancer.

Then came the attempted Whipple surgery. During the surgery it became clear that the head of the pancreas was so fibrotic that it could not be lifted away from the stomach and that the stomach could be lifted from the abdomenal cavity. Now instead of the Whipple I was to have a gall bladder removed and the duct revised. That sounds alot easier than my experience.

After my surgery I had a lot of problems with nausea and vomiting, abdomenal pain and general weakness. Eventually I regained my appetite and thought that I was on the road to recovery. The unseen problem was that my pancreas was leaking into my abdomen causing my stomach to become twisted and lifted up. This caused extreme nausea and a failure to thrive. I had to return to the hospital.

Another CT was done whiched showed a large pocket of fluid had built up. The next day a drain was inserted and in the first 24 hours an entire liter of fluid was drained off. My surgery was done on November 8th and as of December 11th the leaking continues and I fill a one liter bag every three days. Another ERCP is pending that will create a passage way from the leaking pseudocyst into my pancreatic duct and a metal stent placed to hold the distal duct open. This should resolve the issue of having a drainage bag and be the final chapter of my surgery caused complications.

I begin Chemotherapy on December 12th, 2006. We will be using Gemzar. Another drug, 5FU may also be used. My infussions will take an hour, once a week for 7 weeks. Then I get a break for a week and then three more infussions, and so on. A PET scan will be used to see the efficacy of the treatment.

I use 2mg Dilaudid every four hours to control my pain which is ever present. I also have Mepragan and Oxycodone available if needed. So far, I have needed them on rare occasions.

Bathing is my biggest challenge because of the dressing over my drain. I wash my hair in the kitchen sink and sponge bathe at the bathroom sink. I am so looking forward to getting rid of the drain I can't tell you!

Well, that is my story up to now. I will post more as I go through my Chemo, so look for continued info. If you are also fighting this cancer I look forward to reading your experiences. If you are part of my prayer / support group I can't express to you the gratitude I have for all of your prayers and acts of kindness. Especially thankful am I for the members of Hope Lutheran Church, Irmo, SC. They have formed a fund to buy diapers and formula for our 9 month old son, and a "play time" for our 4 year old daughter. They truly are angels on earth!

TTFN (Ta ta for now!)