[ARCHIVED THREAD] - I found out today I have cancer. Finally some good news! Update 10/27/16 (Page 5 of 17)
that is not what was meant 
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ONE MONTH POST OP UPDATE: Surgery was a success. I have healed quickly and been given the all clear by the surgeon. I am able to eat, walk, drive and live fairly pain free at this point. Unfortunately, the pathology showed that the surgeon was not able to get clear margins where the tumor touched the main blood vessel (we knew this was likely to happen). Next step is radiation. 28 sessions over 6 weeks to kill any remaining cells. Then back to chemo for another 3 months. Still a long row to hoe, but considering what I have been diagnosed with and what my body has been put through, I cab't ask for things to be any better. Continued prayers are appreciated. Glory be to God! |
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Quoted:
ONE MONTH POST OP UPDATE: Surgery was a success. I have healed quickly and been given the all clear by the surgeon. I am able to eat, walk, drive and live fairly pain free at this point. Unfortunately, the pathology showed that the surgeon was not able to get clear margins where the tumor touched the main blood vessel (we knew this was likely to happen). Next step is radiation. 28 sessions over 6 weeks to kill any remaining cells. Then back to chemo for another 3 months. Still a long row to hoe, but considering what I have been diagnosed with and what my body has been put through, I cab't ask for things to be any better. Continued prayers are appreciated. Glory be to God! Good to hear the end is in sight, Stay strong; you got it. 
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Quoted: ONE MONTH POST OP UPDATE: Surgery was a success. I have healed quickly and been given the all clear by the surgeon. I am able to eat, walk, drive and live fairly pain free at this point. Unfortunately, the pathology showed that the surgeon was not able to get clear margins where the tumor touched the main blood vessel (we knew this was likely to happen). Next step is radiation. 28 sessions over 6 weeks to kill any remaining cells. Then back to chemo for another 3 months. Still a long row to hoe, but considering what I have been diagnosed with and what my body has been put through, I cab't ask for things to be any better. Continued prayers are appreciated. Glory be to God! Excellent. Keep on the good fight! |
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Quoted:
My original thread went to archives: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/1828357_I_found_out_today_I_have_cancer___UPDATE_in_OP_3_10_16.html So tomorrow is the big day. Surgery to remove my pancreatic tumor. If you wouldn't mind sending a prayer up to our good Lord asking for his healing power to work through my surgeon's hands I would greatly appreciate it. It is going to be a fairly complicated surgery. They are going to remove my gall bladder, 1/2 of my stomach, part of my small intestine and about 2/3 of my pancreas. Then re-plumb everything back together. I will be in the hospital for at least a week, so at least I will get to catch up on ARFCOM. 
Thanks for all of your prayers and well wises to this point. The surgery is the halfway mark with 3 months of chemo to follow. I have never been so excited and scared at the same time. POST OP UPDATE: Update 5-6-16 I survived! At this point the surgery appears that it was successfull! We have to wait for the final word from the testing labs, but the surgeons feel they were able to get the tumor removed and safe margins all the way around. I am in a lot of pain and have a lot of pain medication, so this is going to be short, but I wanted to let you guys know I am o.k. 
Glory be to God! ONE MONTH POST OP UPDATE: 6/3/16 Surgery was a success. I have healed quickly and been given the all clear by the surgeon. I am able to eat, walk, drive and live fairly pain free at this point. Unfortunately, the pathology showed that the surgeon was not able to get clear margins where the tumor touched the main blood vessel (we knew this was likely to happen). Next step is radiation. 28 sessions over 6 weeks to kill any remaining cells. Then back to chemo for another 3 months. Still a long row to hoe, but considering what I have been diagnosed with and what my body has been put through, I cab't ask for things to be any better. Continued prayers are appreciated. Glory be to God! Heck yes man! I'll be praying for your recovery...radiation and chemo will suck, but you'll live. Stay strong 
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Sounds like you got the right attitude.
I know people that were diagnosed stage 4 and have been around 20 yrs chugging along. I know people diagnosed stage 4 who tool it as a death sentence and we're dead 3 months latet, primarily from dehydration for not taking care of themselves. Not judging anyone and everything is different, but good for you. My mom got diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor almost 10 yrs ago, said fucj that, went to like 10 surgeons until she found one that said he could probably fix it, and he did. |
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7/2/16 Latest update.
I am officially halfway through radiation. It has not been fun. I have to take 7 chemo pills every day to supplement the radiation. Not sure if it is the radiation or the chemo pills but I have been very nauseous and it gets worse by the day. Anyway, my CA19-9 score (blood tumor marker) continues to be average or below, so that is a good sign. I am just trying to stay strong and survive the treatment. I am very thankful for this 3 day weekend with no treatment to be able to recover a little. Continued prayers for healing, mental and physical strength are greatly appreciated. Thanks and glory to God for carrying me this far. |
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You're involved in a battle that few can relate to OP. You've been in my thoughts and prayers since your original announcement and I appreciate seeing your updates. There's probably no new expression of "stay strong" I can impress upon you that hasn't already been manifestly resolved within your own self at this point. You're a genuine inspiration Sir. Godspeed
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20 Radiation treatments complete, 8 to go. I have been feeling pretty good the last week or so and am looking forward to completing radiation.
I met with my oncologist today and he was very excited and optimistic about a recent study using a new cocktail of chemo drugs for pancreatic cancer. Initial results show a 3 time improvement for long term survival (from 10% to 30%). In a few weeks after my body recovers from the radiation and is ready for chemo again, he will place me on the new mix. God willing, this new mix will be what saves me. Thank God for my wonderful doctor who keeps up to date on the latest treatments to give me the best chance possible to survive. |
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20 Radiation treatments complete, 8 to go. I have been feeling pretty good the last week or so and am looking forward to completing radiation. I met with my oncologist today and he was very excited and optimistic about a recent study using a new cocktail of chemo drugs for pancreatic cancer. Initial results show a 3 time improvement for long term survival (from 10% to 30%). In a few weeks after my body recovers from the radiation and is ready for chemo again, he will place me on the new mix. God willing, this new mix will be what saves me. Thank God for my wonderful doctor who keeps up to date on the latest treatments to give me the best chance possible to survive. Keep up your positive attitude! Even when things look bleak - With God - all things are possible! |
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7/22/16
Yesterday was my 28th radiation treatment. Finally done! I get about a 2 week recovery and then will start back to another 3 months of chemo. During the break they will do tests and scans to make sure all is well and there is no new growth. It is scary just waiting and not knowing if the treatment worked, but everything is so inflamed right now from the radiation they can't really see anything good or bad on the scans. Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes. Glory to God for getting me this far. |