Bryan’s Story

Site created on February 26, 2022

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement.


Here is my story..
In January I landed in the hospital experiencing the symptoms of jaundice.  They ran some tests and discovered there was a mass that was constricting the bile duct, and causing my stomach issues and jaundice.  I had an endoscopy  to put in a stent in my bile duct and to do a biopsy on the mass.  It was determined that the mass was likely pancreatic cancer.  A second endoscopy was needed to get larger sample for the pathologist.  During that procedure, the GI doctor noticed a lesion on my liver and took a sample of that too.  Unfortunately, the pathology came back as pancreatic cancer cells on my liver, so the cancer from my pancreas has metastasized and I am not a candidate for surgery at this time.    


I started my chemotherapy on February 23rd and I receive treatments every two weeks, likely through the end of June.  So far I have responded well to chemo (besides one rough bout of pancreatitis) and all indications show that it  is effectively treating my disease and I am progressing well overall.  Typically I don't feel well for the week after treatment but then feel almost "normal" during the second week.  


I am so grateful for all of my family, friends, co-workers and neighbors who have given me and my family so much tremendous support and help during this challenging time.  I will do my best to update you all on my journey as I learn more and receive more treatments and scans.  
  

Newest Update

Last Day of Chemo!

Journal entry by Katie Suttenberg —

We are happy to share that Bryan just completed his final round of chemo today!  The chemo has been very tough on him this summer, so we are very grateful that this chapter is complete. 

He has been healing really well from surgery on 5/25, and once he recovers from this last round of chemo he is looking forward to feeling much better and putting on some much needed weight! That's the fun part :)  

Despite all of the challenges, we have had a great summer, full of fun memories made with our kids.  Thanks so much to you all for your continued support to our entire family!
With love,
Bryan and Katie  
Read More of the journal titled "Last Day of Chemo!"
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