What began as a "growth" soon became a "lesion" which doctors recently began calling a "tumor." When we started hearing the words "malignant" and "tumor" used in sequence, it startled us, but still no one described Derek's condition as the C-word.
Until today.
Today, Derek returned to the University of Chicago for a second endoscopic ultrasound and biopsy. U of C had a cytologist on site throughout the procedure, so as soon as the tissue sample was collected, they could determine whether or not the sample was adequate and what type of malignancy we were dealing with.
When the doctor came out to talk with Derek and me, the first words I remember hearing her say were,
"We have a diagnosis. It's an adenocarcinoma tumor."
Just like that, my husband became a cancer patient. A 41-year-old, pancreatic cancer patient.
Our heads are spinning.
Derek is resting comfortably at U of C where he is under observation for developing pancreatitis based on his experience after the last biopsy. Tonight, although we are filled with worry and fear, we are focusing on the positives: Derek is young, healthy and strong.
We have decided to stay off of the internet for now, and we encourage our friends and family to do the same. Until we meet with Dr. K on Tuesday, we don't know anything about how she plans to treat Derek or what his prognosis will be.
Many have asked how you can help. If you are wondering what you can do, here are a few suggestions:
- If you or someone you know is a cancer survivor, especially a pancreatic cancer survivor, please share your story with us!
- Derek LOVES reading positive messages. To help with this, I have organized a text group using a tool called Remind. To sign up for the Positive Vibes for BigDFaust group, you can text @bigdfaust to 81010 on your mobile device. Periodically, I will push out a text to anyone on the group asking for positive thoughts, and all responses will go straight to his cell phone.
- Make your year-end donation to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network! They are trying to reach their goal of 100,000 donations by the end of the year, and I believe we can help!
Thank you again for all of your love and continuous support!
Cycle For Survival is a fantastic organization and all donations go directly to cancer research at Sloan Kettering. We will have two bikes in Chicago #TeamSheade & the brand new addition of #TeamFaust on 2/20/16 at Equinox in the Loop.
ReplyDeleteOf course we are putting a team together (http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1151049) to support #bigDfaust, #Deewee.
ReplyDeleteMarcie, my grandma was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer in her late 70's, well over 15 years ago. They ended up removing her pancreas entirely. This caused her to become a diabetic obviously, but she lived to be almost 90. I don't remember all of the details of her specific case, but I can find out. Sending so much love and prayers to you, Derek, and your little ones. Please know i have you all in my thoughts and in my heart xo
ReplyDeleteMarcie and Derek: Rob and I know that medicine is no match for love! As an example - 2 years ago, my mom flew to Israel to purportedly say good bye to her 87 year old sister. She was afraid the plane wouldn't make it in time for her tearful farewell. My aunt and mom - both Holocaust survivors- are tough old birds. No one knows what my mom whispered to my aunt's fading ears that day, but Auntie's kidneys started miraculously functioning again that night. Two years later, she's back to work at her Kibbutz, and the Hadassah Hospital doctors are still citing this example in lectures about the power of positivity and love! We love you!!!
ReplyDeleteSending love and prayers your way xoxo
ReplyDeleteJenn Gold
Sending love and prayers your way xoxo
ReplyDeleteJenn Gold
Oh Marcie what terrible news. Sending so much love. Xxxx The Levys
ReplyDeleteChin up and get ready to fight.. I already sent an eviction notice to Mr & Mrs cancer be worry free they know they are on a limited time share. Think positive and positive will kick in! Much love & respect Brooke Afick Jeremy's friend.
ReplyDeleteThe Center and Merzel families send our love and best wishes for good news in 2016.
ReplyDeletePrayers from the Molloy family to yours!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne
Marcie and Derek,
ReplyDeleteMy husband was 58 years old when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Never spent a night in the hospital- healthy and active. He is this Januarty a three year cancer survivor! Dr. Talamonti and his team at Kellogg helped him beat the odds through chemo, the Whipple procedure and radiation.
Mike and I feel blessed everyday that there are medical advances that prolong and cure cancer.
PanCan is a wonderful organization.
Count us in as part of your cheer team!!
Susan Monaghan
Sending you love and all my best. <3
ReplyDeleteDear Marcie and Derek - you don't know me, but a mutual friend linked to your blog on Facebook. My father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer three years ago at the age of 79. He also had a small tumor in the tail of his pancreas and also had inconclusive biopsies before a definitive diagnosis. I am writing because his surgeon, Douglas Evans, is renowned in the field and I highly recommend him for a second opinion. My dad, who had chemo, radiation, and surgery, is three years out with no sign of recurrence. Evans used to be at MD Anderson in Houston and moved to the Medical College of Wisconsin a few years ago, where he is now chief of surgery. He is a lovely man on top of being an exceptional surgeon. Here is his profile: http://www.mcw.edu/Surgery/Contact-Us/Douglas-Evans.htm
ReplyDeleteI am happy to make the connection for you if you would like, just let me know. You can reach me at jdfrancoeur@yahoo.com.
I know your heads are spinning. Hang in there.
Shit, Derek. I went onto Facebook to make a simple "Go MSU" post and find this crappy news. Mkt that anyone does but you don't deserve this BS. So unfair that you and your family need to face this challenge.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, if anyone can beat this, it's you! Though we haven't talked in many years, I have a feeling that you will give cancer a serious beat down like never before--led by your infectious smile, laughter, and jokes. In the words of the immortal Rob Schneider: You Can Do Eeet!
Separately, I know two guys our age who have beaten different cancers. I will direct them to your blog and if you want to connect further with either, I'm sure it would be their honor.
Finally, we will also make a donation as Marcie recommended.
Good luck! You have a wide fan base.
Josh Ehrenfried
P.S. Gators for dinner are supposedly very combative against cancer so let's hope Harbaugh and Co. are serve some for dinner tomorrow night. Go Blue!!!
Just texted w a friend, who recently fought off cancer. He reminded me that Imerman's Angels was super helpful to him. Contact them and they will match Derek with a mentor, who is a pancreatic survivor of a similar age and sex. Hope that's helpful!
ReplyDeletehttp://imermanangels.org
Josh Ehrenfried
Our hopes and psych energies are with you.
ReplyDeleteCathleen Case and Michael Rosenzweig
Our hopes and psych energies are with you.
ReplyDeleteCathleen Case and Michael Rosenzweig
We don't know each other well, but I want to send positive thoughts your way. I don't know if (or how closely) you followed our daughter's journey through a clinical trial for her peanut allergy -- but I want to tell you that it was really hard -- Susan has now (with one as recently as last week) had 7 anaphylactic reactions in less than 2 years, but she is also eating 12 peanuts daily -- something that would have killed her in seconds 2 years ago. Through it all, she ALWAYS believed that she could tolerate the peanut, that she could get teach her body to tolerate peanut over time, that she could find her way to a better life. When we were doubting, wondering if allowing Susan to continue eating peanut was the right choice, she was steadfastly certain. She would never even discuss the option of withdrawing from the clinical trial, holding at a dose, backing off, doing anything other than pressing forward was NEVER an option for her. I don't know how to give someone certainty and hope like Susan has, but I wish more than anything that Derek can find his own certainty, for I believe it is more powerful than any medicine in the world.
ReplyDeleteDerek and Marcie: I am sending lots of love and positive vibes your way. We love you so much, Derek, and know how hard you will fight! Here for you always, Beth (and Rich)
ReplyDeleteI will be keeping you all in my prayers. Sending positivity to your way.
ReplyDeleteDerek and Marcie, sending healing thoughts and prayers your way. Please reach out to me (sandrs@functionalmedicinecoaching.org) if you want names of the best integrative oncologists in the country or functional medicine specialists. I know a lot of key leaders in reversing cancer.
ReplyDelete