First, two months ago during a routine blood test, they found something strange and unique. My white blood cells are attacking and killing each other. Went from low immune system to no immune system. Meeting with specialist at Mayo Rochester, the solution is White Blood Cell Transfusion once a month for the rest of my life. The transfusion is called IV/ IG. Between 5,000 and 50,000 donors make up the combo for this. We had the 1st Transfusion a couple weeks ago. I had a severe reaction to this and got very sick. There are really no other options, so it’s a grin and bear it. Without it and with no immune system, I can and have caught any infection going around. Thus in public, I now must be masked up and try to avoid crowds. 

 

Second, during this time a perfect storm hit, my pancreas has stopped working. This is where it really gets serious. Without the working pancreas I developed severe Type 3C diabetes. Type 3C, is considered pancreatic damaged (cancer) related. There is no chance the pancreas will come back. I am taking insulin shots 4-6 times a day. When we found out about this my blood glucose was 707.  I will be getting an insulin pump and monitor very soon. Another by-product of the non-working pancreas, is my body cannot break down foods anymore. For that I am on strict regiment of Creon to act as an enzyme to break down the food into my system. Before that I was starving myself since foods were not breaking down into my system. The other byproduct of this is pancreatitis. This has been ongoing for weeks and take months to clear. 24/7 pain but I am doing the best I can.  As of yesterday they are thinking that I may actually be experience recent pain from enteritis which is inflammation of the small intestine just outside the stomach and near pancreas.  This could be from an actual GI infection, subsequent fallout from the radiation or adhesions/scar tissue from all the surgeries.  I'm in the hospital to help with the pain management and if I don't improve may need an endoscopy.

 

the good news with all this, my Oncologist let us know the pancreatic cancer has shrunk a little and is stable. This was a huge burden lifted from us.  There is also no concern of additional cancer.  The goal now is getting all these diagnosis under control so that I have a decent quality of life for many years to come.  It's been quite the roller coaster for me and my family.  We appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers.  I'll try to send an update in a couple weeks.  Thank you for your support.