First post:
Jan 23, 2019 Latest post:
Apr 21, 2020
NOTE; CARINGBRIDGE IS A FREE SITE AND THE DONATIONS DO NOT GO TO DAVE. THE DONATIONS BUTTON IS ONLY IF YOU WISH TO SUPPORT THE NON-PROFIT BUSINESS OF CARINGBRIDGE ITSELF.
Thank you for visiting our Caring Bridge page for Dave/Daddy.
So first, let's start from the beginning. In late December of 2018, dad went to see his doctor regarding some pain in the groin area where he'd had hernia surgery 4 years earlier. A CAT scan was ordered to review the site and check for cause of pain. Though no cause could be determined for the groin pain, serendipity stepped in and instead showed the doctors a suspicious spot on the pancreas. A followup MRI was scheduled for January 7, 2019. Sensing that we may not receive good news from this MRI, Amy flew in that morning and has been here throughout as the four of us (Dad, Mom, Amy and myself) have attended every appointment together.
The MRI results were read to us on January 9th by dad's primary, Dr Caraciollo. As suspected, it was found that the 22 mm mass seen on the CAT scan was not cystic in nature and it was determined on that day, that he would go in for a scope and biopsy with Dr. Sreen Jonnagollada on the following Wednesday, January 16. Immediately following that scope, Dr. J came in and met with us and informed us that while the biopsy results would take up to 48 hours, he was certain that the 22 mm mass in dad's pancreas was adenocarcinoma, the most common type of pancreatic cancer. The pathology reports confirmed this.
Today, January 21, we met with dad's surgeon, Dr. Lee Cummings of St. Luke's. He explained in great detail the options available and after a great deal of discussion, dad has decided to go forward with the Whipple procedure - which is a specific surgery in cases of pancreatic cancer. On FEBRUARY 1, he will go in for this surgery. It will be about a 6 hour surgery in which approximately half of the pancreas, the entire gall bladder and surrounding bile ducts, and part of the small intestine sharing a wall with the pancreas will be removed. Then the small intestine will be stitched and repaired as well as the remaining pancreas. He will remain in the hospital for up to 10 days. Then 8 weeks later he will start chemotherapy.
We are feeling hopeful and thankful that it was caught at an early stage before spreading into other organs. We do understand that they could get in there to do the surgery and find that it has spread, but the doctor also seemed optimistic that this has been found so much earlier than what he often sees.
In the meantime, without the pancreas working properly- dad has been diagnosed with diabetes. Amy and I purchased a few cookbooks that are diabetes friendly and cancer fighting friendly! We all know that nutrition is key, that along with positive thinking and faith.
So many of you have asked "What can we do to help?" There is a button at the top of this page that says Ways to Help. We will update that with a link to MealTrain when needed, and then as additional needs become apparent. As you know, daddy is a giver- not a receiver. This is the most difficult part for him so far is accepting help from others...so we will break him into it gently! :)
There just are not enough words to show our gratitude for your prayers, thoughts, gifts, cards...it's so very much appreciated.
