Jim’s Story

Site created on January 3, 2023

This wasn’t at all what I expected. 

Beginning in October I found myself with a persistent cough. We visited the doctor and got some recommendations for medications to treat that issue. When after weeks that didn’t seem to help, I visited my primary care physician again to ask her to relook at the issue. While there I also mentioned frequent abdominal pain I had been having since returning from our recent travels. So, as well as addressing the cough, my doctor ordered an ultrasound of my lower abdominal region. 

That tests resulted in a detection of a mass on my pancreas and spots on my liver. That startling finding was quickly followed by having an MRI which only served to give more detail about the cancer. Alongside this, our daughter Anna (who is a Surgical Oncology Nurse Practitioner) contacted an oncology surgeon through her work at UC San Diego Hospital who put us very quickly in touch with a wonderful medical oncologist at the UC Davis Medical Center here in Sacramento. Our oncologist walked us through the the current findings from all the scans and blood tests and ordered a biopsy of my liver to confirm things. We are still waiting on that result.

He spent almost 2 hours with us as he walked though the disease, its spread, and possible courses of treatment. Because it is a stage IV cancer (meaning it has spread to other organs) surgery would not help, so the main course of treatment will be some sort of chemo therapy. We await the results of the biopsy and another consultation with our oncologist to decide which of three courses of chemo we will choose.

In the midst of this, we have had a wonderful holiday, surrounded by family and friends we love. It is no surprise that looking at how tenuous physical life is makes us all appreciate the moments and hours we have with people we love. A shock like this serves to wake us up. As I write this Lena and I have just returned from San Diego after spending a few days with all of our family—Anna & Jeff, Libby, Aaron & Rachel, and grandchildren Jack Elliot and Owen & Ella. All of them have been an incredible support to us in this time—the sweet text messages, the teary FaceTime calls, the laughter of children, the silly songs, the great meals, the difficult conversations…

Right now we wait for the results of my biopsy and choosing a direction for treatment. In the meantime we treasure your prayers and hope to remain in contact with all of you as much as possible. We know that your love and God’s love will carry us through this difficult time. We also trust there will be much to be grateful for each moment and day.

Thank you all for your love.

Jim 

Newest Update

Journal entry by Jim Zazzera

Dear family and friends this is Lena. I want to let you know a few things about The Celebration of Jim’s life on 3/18 at 1 pm.

Please read as it may be helpful.
COVID is still present in this world, so in the last 4 rows on one side Faith Church  requests that those who sit there, please wear a mask. In all other areas masks are optional.

Remember that if you want to wear a token or splash of orange or green, we welcome this. Jim found those colors life giving!

Also we recognize that  some of you may not be able to attend. I’m including a link in which you can watch the service  live, or on your own time. The link is:
Lastly I speak for our family in saying grief is a journey, different for each of us. Don’t worry if we have tears and we won’t worry about yours. In fact we honor whatever the feelings are,  within each person.

We thank you for the outpouring of texts, notes, phone calls, invitations, thoughts and prayers. We are eternally grateful and know that each of those efforts have been life giving for us! It’s tender times, but I hear Jim saying, “We will get through this.” We are in process. 

With a very grateful heart, we send each of you love.


Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Jim Stay Connected to Family and Friends

A $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Jim's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?

Comments Hide comments

Show Your Support

See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.

SVG_Icons_Back_To_Top
Top