David Johnson David'sodyssey

In October of 2016 my primary care doctor wanted to get my 'good' cholesterol up a few points. So we added Lipitor. One month later no real improvement so, we doubled the dose. Then all hell broke loose. The Lipitor shut down my Liver totally and jaundice set in. Oh the itching! So off to the specialist where he found a blockage in a duct that the pancreas, liver & gall bladder share to enter the digestive system. Off to surgery to have a stint put in and clear blockage. From the biopsy after they found pancreatic cancer cells. Non metastasized, so I was a candidate for a Whipple procedure surgery. Within days I was in SF with specialist doctor and eight hour operation. Week recovery then home. Developed edema from fluid buildup so back to local hospital where they found was in Atrial Fibrillation. Admitted two days, controlled, went home. After finally dealing with the edema my wounds healed and I got stronger for phase two. Post operative chemotherapy. My Oncologist was very concerned about two things, my liver being able to handle the drugs and the finding of some cancer cells in the post op biopsy of the lymph nodes. "It most likely will come back" she said. So on we went with weekly injections with the low dose drug designed for this type of cancer. By week six I had lost all intestinal flora and was unable to stop the diarrhea. We had to stop the drug. After a break we started a new oral drug at low dose and waited. Some side effects showed themselves but with a little self research I found by adding pro-biotics and psyllium to my diet it worked. So we upped it. For the next couple of months blood tests showed promising results. Then the big jump in the tumor necroses factor last month causing a rush for a CT scan. Bingo, the cancer is back and has spread. Spot on lung, possible tumor blockage in kidney drain and small intestine. Only drug option at this point had such horrid side effects it most likely would kill me before the cancer. By this time I was down to 160 lbs. from 2300 lbs. So our decision was to stop everything. Oncologists best estimate of 'time' frame is six months. What a mind bender to know your death year.
Will be seeing my palliative MD and set up home palliative/hospice care. All moving along rather fast. They will attend to my every need to be comfortable and pain free.
So my friends there it is my new Odysee. Walk this new path with me?
Thanks for reading,
David