From a chaotic start to an orderly conclusion . . .

After 10 weeks of diagnoses, labs, CT Scans, PET Scans, associated lab work, radiological interventions and pathology reports we have reached what I consider to be an orderly conclusion of all this work to form a picture of my current condition and a potential hormone therapy treatment to slow down growth of my tumors.

The key confirmations and diagnoses are listed here:
      o   Confirmation of initial diagnosis of Stage IV Pancreatic cancer
      o   Confirmation of tumors as malignant by pathological review of liver tissue biopsies at Cleveland Clinic.
      o   Confirmation the tumors are of the type neuroendocrine (very rare) which offers longer life span  than the more typical adnocarcinoma type tumors.
      o   The initiating tumor on the pancreas is inoperable and resistant to surgery, radiation and    chemotherapies.
      o   The metastasized tumors (spread) to the liver are defined as "innumerable" in two pathology  reports and defined as 20+ within the liver in a third. 
      o   The liver tumors are not candidates for removal due to the quantities and sizes so liver surgery  is not an option - nor traditional radiation or chemotherapy.

Essentially, the tumors cannot be removed or "killed" by procedures or medications.

My clinical Oncologist has recommended considering a Hormone therapy which reduces the amount of growth hormones produced by my body, which could slow the liver tumors' growth and spread over time. It is a monthly injection with potentially notable side-effects.

The neuroendocrine specialist in Denver is reviewing all my records, scans and images to see if he has any additional thoughts. Earliest possible consult with him would be in late November.

So, I believe this leaves me with an orderly and scientific confirmation of all the important details and I am now facing some decisions as to which way I wish to move forward.

I am praying over it and trusting that God's will shall be known in time.

Thank you for all the prayers and notes of support through this process and now believe there will not be many updates until such time as my condition takes any sort of downturn or my cancer markers show a notable reduction in my tumor situation.

I will update this site as those things might occur, although timeframes are completely unknown.
As an aside, I am not currently suffering any severe symptoms or pain in general from my condition.

Thank you all and I hope my next news is good news.

(I have included a photo of Dr. Taz - my Chief Wellness Specialist. he does a great job in healing the Spirit!!)

Rick