Pat Richey

(Terry writing for Pat)
Dear friends, your support, prayers and encouragement have already been  overwhelming.    Journey began about 10 weeks ago with what was thought to be nothing more than uncomplicated gallbladder issues.  after weeks of issues a trip to the ER revealed what was consistent with pancreatic cancer... tumors on the head of the pancreas and multiple liver lesions.  That  day was an ambush for us.  


Stage 4  moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma was the diagnosis and it has been confirmed by both her Gastroenterologist and a board of oncologists.   We began to ask for prayer for wisdom in determining our place and physicians.   Our new neighbor next door is a Trauma Surgeon here at USA University Hospital and came over to talk.  He studied the results. prayed with us and by the next morning had taken them to a board at USA and gotten the recommendation for Dr. Martin Heslin, the new Head of the Mitchell Cancer Institute connected with USA University Medical Center.  Heslin had been recommended by several friends and his name kept surfacing.  He is a  gastro-oncology surgeon and for 25 years practiced as associate with UAB. People from all over the world have come to him.   Kind, straightforward, accessible and willing to listen.  He has no ego but is confident as he should be.   He immediately brought in  Dr Brian Persing as the oncologist.  He is excellent open, communicative and caring as well.   it is amazing how many friends these two are connected with both personally and professionally.   We truly feel we were guided here.


once we connected with Dr. Heslin we were on the fast track and have done in one week what usually takes four.   MCI is incredible from the greeter at the door to every person we have met.  It is a ministry for these people.


Pat had her port placed April 20, 2021.  First round of infusions were April 21, 2021 which took 5 hours.   She rested well afterwards but began with the violent nausea early Thursday morning.   currently we are back at MCI receiving fluids, anti nausea.meds and pain meds IV.   Dr Persing came in and dc the at home chemo pump.  We will return again tomorrow for the same.  if this continues we may have to go to inpatient for round the clock fluids for a day or two.


Please know this is the initial post and others will be less technical but wanted to set up the process.   Treatments are scheduled for every 2 weeks and will have another CT after the 4th treatment.


Your prayers, cards, texts and expressions of love continue to bolster us as we begin this journey.  Thank you for all of this.
We are working to exercise the faith we have professed and proclaimed for so many years.
Thank you,
Terry and Pat