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. Thank you for visiting.
In early 2021, Rick began experiencing various (what we considered minor) health conditions that slowly began to worsen. Most concerning was abdominal pain, pre-diabetic symptoms, and sudden weight loss. Initially, the gastroenterologist decided there would be a 2-prong plan: send Rick for an endoscopy of the stomach, and send him for a CT scan to ensure everything looked okay.
The stomach scope was done the week of February 22nd. The results came back normal, with no concerns. Next, he went for his CT scan on March 4th.
That afternoon, the gastroenterologist called to tell us the CT scan revealed a cancerous tumor on the head of the pancreas. Based on its size (1.5" in., or approx. 4 cm.), the doctors told us the cancer was categorized as Stage 3. The CT scan did not show any other signs of concern (no mets on the liver, no lymph node concerns, etc.).
The primary determination, which would be made by a surgical oncologist, was whether the tumor had become enmeshed with the superior mesoteric vein. If it had, there would be no way the tumor would be classified as "resectable," or capable of being removed by a procedure called a whipple surgery.
On Monday, March 8, we received word that the surgical oncologist did not think it would be safe to attempt the whipple at this time. His recommendation was two-fold: to consult with the medical oncologist and begin a course of chemotherapy/radiation; and undergo another endoscopic procedure in the stomach--but with an ultrasound this time. He also wanted the ultrasound procedure to conduct a biopsy of the tumor to best assess which course of chemo/radiation would shrink the tumor's size and stop its growth. The endoscopic ultrasound was scheduled for Wednesday, March 10th. We are hopeful that this procedure will give the surgical oncologist a much better picture of the tumor--its size, location, and operability.
On Tuesday, March 9th, Rick's 70th birthday, he and Laura went to the hospital to have preliminary lab work and other procedures done in advance of the ultrasound. As they prepared to leave, they received a call from one of Rick's doctors telling them to go to the ER, immediately. Rick's blood sugar had spiked up, over 400. Ultimately, the ER physicians decided to admit him to try to get the blood sugar under control. Through that night, and into the 10th, the blood sugar continued to stay right under or above 200; additionally, the endoscopist worried that Rick's being on a prescription blood thinner would make the endoscopy too risky.
The decision was made to focus on regulating Rick's blood sugar and to reschedule the biopsy/ultrasound for March 23rd. Rick will see the medical oncologist to begin planning chemo/radiation therapy on March 26th.
We created this page so we could share all this detailed information in one place. This diagnosis definitely caught our family off-guard; we know that our family and friends will likely feel blindsided by it, too. Right now, we are working hard to process the wealth of information we are being inundated with in a way that is positive and will help Rick move forward in this journey to total healing. We really, genuinely appreciate your love and support. We can feel your prayers, and even though we cannot respond to everyone individually, please know that we appreciate each of you.
For those who might not be able to travel right now, or who otherwise will not be able to make it here for the service next week, please know that the wonderful funeral home caring for Dad, Crawford-Bowers of Killeen, will live stream the service Tuesday morning on their Facebook page. As soon as we have more details, we will share them.
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