The news is good!

Get well card from grand niece, Kessa (11 yrs)

The CT scan at Duke revealed that the cancer has not spread and the oncological surgeon pronounced the pc "mass" resectable, i.e., removable. I thanked Dr. Tyler for taking my case and told him that if he keeps statistics on patient survivability, I intend to increase his batting average and make him and his team look good!

Dr. Tyler seemed pleased with the way I had progressed through the radiation/chemo therapy and noted that this should presage fewer post-surgical complications. Ergo, I may not need a post-op weep tube for a leaking pancreas nor a feeding tube directly to my stomach.

In my fight against pc, I am determined, but not desperate. I cannot grieve over the prospect of my passing. My life is just not that important in the greater scheme of things. Though I could wish for an "individual awareness" in an afterlife, I will be satisfied for my spirit, my life force simply to return to its source.

Meanwhile, I intend to carry on for as long as I can and work on my growing "bucket list". :-)

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Update # 7: Moving On

Bell of freedom!

Monday, Oct. 3rd was a milestone in my "pc" saga. I received the final treatment of the five weeks of radiation/chemo therapy! Yes! I'll miss my caregivers [see photo] but won't miss the daily 25-mile trip to the hospital and back, nor will I miss the unsettling side-effects.

My daughter Jennifer said the side-effects I experienced–nausea, loss of appetite, altered food tastes, indigestion–sounded like being pregnant! OMG, how do women tolerate that for 9 months?!

Next? A trip to Durham on Monday, Oct. 10th, to meet with the oncological surgeon at Duke for a CT scan and the decision regarding if and when to schedule the Whipple procedure. 

Several of you have related tales of folks who've survived the Whipple procedure for five years or more. Thanks for that encouragement! There's lots I hope to accomplish yet.

In peace, love, and wonder,

John/Rocky

P.S.
Join the movement to save our country from political corruption and corporate greed. Read and support MoveOn.org and Nation of Change.

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