For a few weeks, Deb just wasn't feeling well. Her stomach hurt, her back hurt a little - nothing debilitating, but just annoying pain. Fast forward to September 9th and the discomfort was a bit too much to even keep our dinner plans. Deb decided to have some blood work done, as she had recently had her physical and already had an order for it. September 11th, my 51st birthday we went out to brunch with my parents, Deb's father, Deb and Olivia. As we were walking out Olivia commented that Deb's eyes looked yellow. In the dark restaurant I didn't see it and we all kind of blew off the comment.
A few hours later Deb got her blood results, and her liver enzymes were way out of range. She called our amazing PA friend Katey to ask her opinion. Katey informed Deb that she needs to talk to her doctor because those numbers showed possible issues AND that she wouldn't be able to travel to Mexico on Wednesday for her niece Jordyn's wedding. Katey suggested that Deb have the blood tests redone to see if the levels were stable.
As she was waiting for results on Tuesday, she was fortunate enough to get an appointment with her GI. Unfortunately I could not take Deb to the appointment so Val, her lifelong friend, went with her. At the appointment Deb was able to provide both blood test results and the PA immediately consulted with the doctor and scheduled a procedure for the next day, the assumption was she had a blocked bile duct, about 6 years ago Deb had her gallbladder removed and had gallstones in her bile duct which needed to be removed), so it made sense there could be some scar tissue or something else causing a blockage.
Obviously going to Jordyn and Michael's wedding was out. But Deb insisted that I go. So Wednesday, Deb's father Al and I headed out to BWI early in the morning to head to Mexico, while Val prepared to take Deb to Virginia for her procedure. The procedure went well ,a stent was put in to open the bile duct. The doctor admitted Deb, and scheduled an MRI for the next day. Val stayed overnight with Deb and they "patiently" waited for the MRI. My girls and parents got to the resort. When the girl's room was ready I got a call from Deb, telling me to come home, she saw a test result from the MRI and that she needed me home.
This started a whirlwind of planning to get home, the girls wanted to get back to their mom, and we came home Friday. Missy, another amazing friend, came to relieve Val Thursday night and stayed throughout the next day when she was released. Missy kept her busy and tried to keep her mind off of what might be. During this time the hospital oncologist came to talk to Deb and said she has a suspicious mass on her pancreas and started discussing treatment, but suggested she get another opinion and to start that process because it could take some time to get on the schedule. Deb thought about calling a family friend (thank you DK) who, from France, coordinated care for Deb at Johns Hopkins.
So we came home Friday, Val picked us up from the airport and finally we got home - and through the magic of Facetime, we were able to see Jordyn and Michael get married.
Monday 9/19 we headed to Hopkins for a CT scan. Today we were back to discuss treatment. Deb will go through approximately 6 months of chemotherapy, followed by radiation. This therapy is to shrink the tumor so that surgery can be performed. Additionally Deb will take part in a trial for immunotherapy which has had success on shrinking pancreatic tumors.
That's the story - it's where we are - I will update with some next steps in the Journal.
One request, all of you that know Deb know she is a people person. Please don't let the cancer define who she is. She is the same Deb and doesn't want to be pitied. She wants your friendship, she wants to see you and hear from you. We plan to continue with life as much as possible.
Please hug your loved ones tight and kiss them often! (stolen from a friends CaringBridge site)
There is a very good chance we will have a Team Deb tent this year. Since we just hit $20,000 we are eligible and even know it’s last minute they are going to try to get it setup.
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