Monday, December 10, my life changed. After two months of looking for a source of chronic abdominal pain I had been experiencing, including endoscopy, ultrasound scans and CT scans, a second CT scan showed significant changes from the first. I had a mass in my pancreas and several lesions in my liver. The preliminary diagnosis was one I had hoped never to hear -- pancreatic cancer. It was confirmed the next day when biopsies of several of the tumors in my liver showed cancer cells. The CT-guided biopsies also included images of clots in a pulmonary artery, so I was admitted to the hospital overnight. On Wednesday, I met my oncologist, Peter Eisenberg, and was given some hope that this was a disease that could be managed to a degree with chemotherapy. He also suggested seeing another oncologist at UCSF, a specialist in the field of pancreatic cancer.
Friday, December 14, my wife, Jane, and I met with Dr. Margaret Tempero and came away with a more positive feeling that this could be something that could be managed, not cured, but managed so that I could extend my life past the few months I would have left otherwise. So, a plan is in process. I will be part of a clinical trial at UCSF. The day after Christmas, I will have some biopsies done to collect tumor tissue, and hopefully my first chemotherapy session Friday, December 28. If not then, chemo will definitely begin on January 4. I am anxious to get things started. More than anything, the uncertainty is a constant nag.
My emotions continue to rise and fall, not unlike the tides. It is difficult to keep the dark thoughts at bay, even though I know how important my attitude is in this battle for my life. I'm doing my best to take each day as it comes, to take this one step at a time. I know I'm in good hands with my doctors on both sides of the Golden Gate; each visit with one of them buoys my spirits. I've also enjoyed the normalcy visits with friends and family, walks, lunches, phone conversations have brought. Along with tears there has been a good amount of laughter and no shortage of love and support. For all of that, a big thank-you. And keep the prayers, good thoughts and positive vibes coming. I'm going to need all of the help I can get as I proceed on this journey.
Peace,
Don
