Dianne Yauch

My family and some of my friends know the journey I have been on this past month.   For the  others I am going to offer an explanation of all that has transpired.  I hope this help to answer some of your questions.


On Saturday, Dec 17 I decided to toast the holiday season with not one....but two glasses of EggNog....and yes, without alcohol.  In less than an hour I was very uncomfortable and spent all of that night, the next day and most of Sunday night into Monday morning pretty much in a great deal of pain and sick that entire time.  On Monday morning, December 19 I semi pulled myself together and drove to my workplace (an Urgent Care) looking for emergency help to relief my profound dehydration that I believed was the result of food poisoning from the Egg Nog.   After having an IV started, receiving 2 liters of Normal Saline and Zofran for the nausea I felt fantastic and headed back home.  With all 4 of my children and their spouses set to arrive later in the week I intended to finish grocery shopping, wrap christmas presents, and complete last minute decorations.   During the night from Monday into Tuesday I awoke at 3AM experiencing pain that I had never experienced before.  The nausea and sickness resumed and by 9AM I decided to head back to work for even more help.  One of the Doc's I work with took one look - apparently I didn't look so good, thanks John - and told me that he was sending me to the ER because it seemed as though I was probably in the middle of a bad gallbladder "situation."   


Four hours and several diagnostic tests later, the results were in along with a diagnosis:  Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer.    I just couldn't even begin to understand.  The "bad" health news in my family was always heart disease and certainly not cancer.   I was admitted to the hospital, had a liver biopsy to determine the originating site and extent of the cancer and to have a nerve block that helped relieve my pain.  With the pain under control and a diagnosis made I was discharged and sent home on Thursday, Dec. 22.


So, my journey and new 'job" begins.  So many of my friends and family have consistently been supportive and contact me many times during the course of just one day.  I have established this blog in an attempt to help any one who is interested in keeping up to date with my story.  I am going to provide you with updates but also look forward to any comments you add to this blog.   Please.....feel free to add your thoughts and comments.  .