Continuing Our Very Difficult Pancreatic Cancer Journey

My husband Tom had the very aggressive chemo every other week for 2 months. He had lost lots of weight and just felt horrible. He had no appetite whatsoever. And just felt horrible.

So after 2 months of the very aggressive chemo, his medical and radiation doctor decided it was time to start chemo and radiation treatment. So onto another part of this journey.

Tom began chemo/radiation treatment the week of Thanksgiving. He would have chemo/radiation on Mondays and then radiation Tuesday - Friday. The chemo he was given was Gemcitabine to work together with the radiation.

As the days went on Tom was becoming more and more tired and frustrated. Thevdoctorsvat this point and time cannot give us any definite answers on if it's all working. All we can go by right now is what is called a cancer marker blood test called CA19-9.

When we began the journey it was 2700 (normal is 35 or below) as of now his marker is 118. Which means the cancer cells are still there. Cancer cells are very smart and know how to survive. Sometimes they even become resilient to the treatment.

The next few weeks will start to be even busier with doctor appointments. Cat scans and what decisions the doctors will make next. As of now his medical oncologist has Tom scheduled for the very aggressive chemo to begin on the 24th of January. The big issue with Tom's tumor not being operable is because the tumor is encasing his celiac artery which feeds the liver, spleen and other organs.

So as the surgical oncologist explained in the very beginning even if they shrink the tumor it creates scar tissue. And that scar tissue will still be on that artery. So as we continue to hold to to that HOPE theres always that question what happens if the tumor cannot be removed. We are very fortunate to be surrounded by a great group of family, friends, and community. And it's through them that helps to keep me strong. And WE WILL FIGHT THIS FIGHT & BEAT IT.