The Race – a marathon not a 5K

December 16th

This first blog post is one of many where I will share the reasons why I started the blog, how we are doing and what we are doing as we enter a brand new chapter in our lives.

On October 7th I completed my 5th 100 mile bike ride for JDRF. On this particular ride the heat index was 108 and many riders were stopping at 75 miles. Oh but of course not me. I had to go for the 100 – for no other reason then for my niece Alex who doesnt stop her management of Type One Diabetes because she just doesn’t want to do it anymore. In her case and so many others living with this disease stopping the management or care of their T1D will kill them.

Right after my ride I started feeling rather punky, I got a cold, fatigue, indigestion and stomach pains, throw in some back pain and bam they find a malignant tumor, who we have named “Lucifer” in my pancreas – kind of ironic don’t you think since I spend my time, talent and treasures in keeping the pancreas heathy and finding a cure for T1D.

So the journey begins to beat my stage 1 Pancreatic Cancer – which I know will be cured and that when this is over something very special is going to come of this. The good news is that the tumor has not metastisized nor impacted any lymph nodes.  So Tuesday the 12th I met with my surgeon, Dr Baker at CMC who is a pancreatic specialist but who I worked with earlier this year to remove my gallbladder. What are the odds that I would have to go back to her EVER – seems someone was watching over me back in February.  Next I met with my nurse navigator, nurse and dietitian who worked hard to identify the best oncologist for me and they were spot on.  Dr Reza at CMC is awesome – might be why he was named physician of the quarter which we saw walking into the Levine Cancer Institute, just another sign we were in the right hands.  After meeting with the Dr on Friday the 15th we reviewed all the options and we have opted for Neoadjuvant approach which is chemo, surgery, the wipple, and then more chemo. The chemo will be a 4 medicine cocktail 2x a month followed by 46 hours of chemo administered through a chemo pump.  They said the chemo pump comes with it own “cute” bag…ah I am guessing that I will have to find my own bag for this Pump or design one myself – more to come in a later post.

Later that same day we were scheduled for a dianostic laparoscopy to ensure the cancer hadn’t spread into my stomach and the insertion of my port.  We got some great news after those procedures and my stomach is cancer free!  So the port is in and I have a CT scan of my lungs on Monday, Chemo school, my name for it, on Tuesday and my first round of chemo on Wednesday morning.  I was very relieved to know that Chemo doesn’t take a long holiday break!  I go back to meet with Dr Reza on Tuesday the 26th to see how I am tolerating the chemo so if you see me with a stylin head scarf or a different hair style you will know I have lost my hair, but that is ok as long as they are killing off Lucifer.

Lots happening and we are moving forward with positive intentions.  Lucifer will not control me and will be eradicated from my body!  The most ironic part of this is that the JDRF Ride to Cure in Amelia Island, FL might have saved my life.  Just another reason to keep trudging through to find a cure for T1D.  I have a tribe of warriors surrounding me and without you and your prayers I wouldn’t be able to beat this.  Thanks to each and everyone of you!   Special thanks for the amazing food delivery from Kim, Jennifer, Beth and Wyn.  My doctor wants meat on my body so I thank you all for helping to get there.  I will update this blog continuously and will have other guest writers if they wish to participate.  Watch out Lucifer this is the chick with the fierce pants on all the time – you will not be around long.