HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Hi,

My life battle began on June 1, 2007. I needed medical clearance for catarac surgery. I was in my primary doctor's office when my blood sugar took a dive (I have been a diabetic for 10 years) . Until recently my blood sugar was under control. I thought the fluctuations were caused mostly by occationally breaking my diet. I was so determined to get my sugar back in check, I went to Orange Regional Diabectic Care Counseling just the week before. Since I got sick in my Doctor's Office, she was obliged to call 911. As we were waiting I began having trouble breathing and was having pain in the center of my chest. When the EMT s arrived, they began to take my vitals. My blood pressure also fell dangerously low. Off to the hospital we went.

Because of the chest pains I was admitted to the hospital where a number of cardiograms were performed including the echo. I also wore a heart monitor around my neck. All of these initial tests showed that my heart was in good shape. So why the pain? My doctor desided that an MRI might show a problem with my stomach. I was taken down the next day
The results were devestating. While viewing the MRI they spotted a mass of tumors on my pancreas and smaller spots on my liver and my right lung. How can that be?

They immediately scheduled me for a pancreatic biopsy. Positive for Pancreatic Cancer. The spots on my liver were very small and those on my right lung even smaller. My doctor thought that they may be able to get a sample from my liver and he thought I should go for the biopsy. I agreed. He also wanted to schedule me for a PET Scan. This is where Radioactive material is injected into you and then you have a CAT Scan. The Radioactive material will create "HOT SPOTS" if Cancer is present in any other organ. The doctor said this test is about 90% accurate. Combined with the Liver biopsy he would get a better idea how to treat me.

On June 22, 2007 I was diagnosed with stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. The Cancer had spread to the Liver, Right Lung and the Esophagus. I couldn't believe it! I had NO SYMPTOMS. Nothing!

Picture the Pancreas as a flat pear lying down. The fat, rounded part is called the head, the center is the body and the thin part, the tail. Because symptoms usually don't appear until the cancer is large or has spread (metastasized) to other tissues, early detection is very difficult.

I would like to share with you what I know, what I find out and what my daily experience is with this Cancer. I call it the "Silent Killer" because symptoms usually appear after it has spread. I would like to refer you to sights when I find something interesting; and most of all I'd like to ask you to write your congressmen, senators, presidential candidates on how much we need to have preventive care covered by insurance!

Please send me your thoughts and concerns and tell me about your life.

Talk to you again soon.

JoRenge