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Pancreatic cancer often has a poor prognosis, even when diagnosed early. Pancreatic cancer typically spreads rapidly and is seldom detected in its early stages, which is a major reason why it's a leading cause of cancer death. Signs and symptoms may not appear until pancreatic cancer is quite advanced and surgical removal isn't possible.

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The good news is yesterday I found out the hospital is covering me 100%. I know it's because of my finances, but I like to think it's my charming personality(everyone I've dealt with in the offices are female)

When I get the results, I'll either post the good news, or ask for help with a "bucket list".

Rick
 

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Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 07-09-2013, 07:40 AM:
 
Richard,

That's bad news, and I hope it turns out not to be the case.

I do know somebody, not very well but I have met them a few times, who was diagnosed with it several years ago. They have survived it, and were in reasonable health when I saw them quite recently.

My thoughts are with you.
 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 07-09-2013, 09:46 AM:
 
I really hope it isn't cancer. Although the prognosis of pancreatic cancer is typically grim some people do survive it. An attorney in my AMBUCS civic club chapter was diagnosed with it around 2 years ago. His son is an oncologist in Seattle and was involved with the treatment process. He ended up having a bone marrow transplant. So far he has been doing well. No more cancer. Obviously, he's getting routine screenings to see if any returned.
 

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Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 07-09-2013, 10:12 AM:
 
Rule number 1: never consult internet about health!

That's sad news indeed, I wish you well and hope you get a good news soon.
 

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Posted by Kenneth Wuepper (Member # 1174) on 07-09-2013, 02:53 PM:
 
Hello Richard.

You are in good hands. With these issues, Time is of the greatest urgency. The professionals caring for you do not seem to be wasting any time in getting a diagnosis. I pray it is a favorable one.

Why is it that as humans we tend to think the worst and hope for the best? There IS a plan, just not ours.

Sincerely
KEN
 

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Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 07-09-2013, 03:33 PM:
 
Oh dear - very sorry to hear this. Like everyone else, I hope it turns out to be something a lot less serious. One positive is that the hospital appears to be letting no time slip in getting the tests done and treatment underway which, whatever the diagnosis, should help to tip the odds in your favour.
 

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 07-09-2013, 03:49 PM:
 
Fuck.

I don't know what else to say but, "fuck."
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 07-10-2013, 01:25 AM:
 
True, and sorry to hear about this-being I'm a two time cancer survivor that had to go through radiation and some chemo treatments:

Heard of people surviving the "Whipple Procedure", for this form of cancer to make their lives last a lot longer if they had the lower stages of the cancer, but true as the website mentions: It has its risks and take a long time to get close back to normal, but one must follow a strict diet regimen due to the altercation done to the upper G.I. tract.

Prayers are with you, Rick. Keep the spirits high and faith strong.

-Monte
 

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Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 07-10-2013, 04:56 AM:
 
I'm praying for you Richard.
 

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Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 07-10-2013, 05:11 AM:
 
Thanks for the thoughts guys.
They didn't do the biopsy because when he scoped me, the ultrasound was weaker. I think he said because of the needle on it to get the biopsy, and he couldn't see the spot on my pancreas and didn't want to risk me bleeding and causing more problems. My blood evidentally is thin. Now they want some lab work done and another CT scan, which I have to schedule. It's basically a waiting game now. Not really sure why they couldn't do all of that while I was there, in gown, sedated and on a roll around hospital bed.

Peace brothers, It is what it is. Trying not to sweat it.

Rick
 

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Posted by Alan Plester (Member # 852) on 07-10-2013, 04:19 PM:
 
Sorry to read all about this, wishing you all the best.
 

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Posted by Jarod Reddig (Member # 6363) on 07-10-2013, 07:17 PM:
 
Sorry to hear that man. That really fuckin sucks. Hang in there though bro and think good thoughts. As they say hope for the best and prepare for the worst. My sister just got through fighting breast cancer. She had chemo and a double mastectomy and it did the trick. It's really good that your getting treated early on as thats the most I important thing. I wish you the best of luck.
 

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Posted by Bruce McGee (Member # 131) on 07-12-2013, 07:20 PM:
 
All the best to you, Richard.

We'll keep you in our prayers.
 

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Posted by Danny Yancey (Member # 5499) on 07-13-2013, 03:24 PM:
 
Wishing you the best of luck. I know how you are feeling as I go in for radical throat surgery next Friday for a returning tonsil cancer. Once more I wish you the best.
 

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Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 07-13-2013, 03:58 PM:
 
May you only have a good outcome, brother. Positive thoughts.
 

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Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 07-14-2013, 04:02 AM:
 
Well. it's still a waiting game. I was supposed to have a consultation with a new doctor last Thursday, but I had to reschedule. Now he's on vacation all week. I'm going to try to schedule all my tests and procedures while he's out. I still need an upper endoscopy, a colonoscopy, CT scan, and lab work. I figure I'll ask them to just knock me out, take blood, stick tubes up my ass and throat(hopefully different tubes or at least not in that order), roll me into a big tube, and get it all over with at once. That way the Dr. will have all the info and can either tell me to wait and schedule more tests, or tell me what's going on.

Rick (the human pin cushion)
 

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Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 07-14-2013, 09:50 AM:
 
Here's hoping for a good outcome. Hang in there guy.
 

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Posted by Jason Burroughs (Member # 68) on 07-15-2013, 10:52 AM:
 
Remember, when it comes to medicine, Doctors are just "practicing"

Don't be afraid to get second opinions, and have them explain everything in layman's terms.

Don't put up with any doctors you feel do not give you the proper care, compassion, and respect. Don't be afraid of changing doctors if necessary.

Do make sure that all your doctors talk to each other about your situation, and keep each other updated, medications coordinated etc.
 

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Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 07-24-2013, 08:10 AM:
 
Still the waiting game. They scheduled me for the first week in August, which meant 3 weeks of not sleeping because I still don't know what's up. Then yesterday they called to reschedule me for the end of August. The nurse told me that the Dr. said not to have any of the tests done. I talked to the nurse and explained I really want to know what's going on, and she called back a couple of hours later and the Dr. found time to see me in 2 weeks.

What's got worried is on my last visit I had to answer questions for a medical history. There was a new one I hadn't been asked before "have you ever been diagnosed with cancer BEFORE ".

Plus I joked about everyone being extra nice to me because of my charm, but my mind is twirling, thinking maybe they all know something but can't say anything because I haven't been told by the Dr. yet.

Still waiting, still hanging in there, still radioactive and glowing like Frank

Rick
 

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Posted by Kenneth Wuepper (Member # 1174) on 07-24-2013, 10:19 AM:
 
Richard,

I know your anxiety. It is too bad that the medical practice has become so difficult on the patient.

I was once asked if I had been diagnosed with cancer before and it was in connection with a CT Scan. No cancer and the scan showed nothing as well.

Please do not try to infer information from the employees tone of voice or from every word they speak. I know you are anxious but please do not think the worst.

Sincerely
 

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Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 07-24-2013, 10:39 AM:
 
I was asked if I'd been treated for cancer before having a minor operation (minor as in local anaesthetic and walked home immediately afterwards) to remove a sebaceous cyst from the side of my head. When I later asked my uncle (a retired neurologist) why they needed to know this, he told me that it was because if you've received radiotherapy in the past, then new treatments or examinations involving extra radiation (e.g. having x-rays taken) involve a different risk/benefit analysis (risks potentially higher, benefits potentially lower). In other words, that question is on pretty much every pre-treatment questionnaire handed out by a hospital, and is not there to confirm a suspicion.
 

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Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 07-24-2013, 11:01 AM:
 
I always joke that this is why they call us the "patient."

Hopefully a little medical humor helps.
 

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 07-24-2013, 11:13 PM:
 
No, no... If you want medical humor, it goes like this:

A guy walks into a doctor's office. He has a duck on his head.
The doctor asks, "What seems to be the problem?"
The duck says, "Well, you see, doc, it all started when I got this lump on my ass."


 

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Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 07-24-2013, 11:29 PM:
 
LOL

Okay. That needs to go into the joke forum for safe-keeping.
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 07-25-2013, 06:23 AM:
 
Why the delays? If treatment is possible, time is of the essence. Best Luck. Louis
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 07-25-2013, 06:26 PM:
 
No no, for medical humor you have to go to Rodney Dangerfield.

quote:

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When I was born I was so ugly the doctor slapped my mother.

I went to see my doctor. "Doctor, every morning when I get up and look in the mirror, I feel like throwing up. What's wrong with me?" He said, "I don't know, but your eyesight is perfect."

When I was born, the doctor came out to the waiting room and said to my father, "I'm very sorry. We did everything we could. But he pulled through."

When I was born the doctor took one look at my face, turned me over and said, "Look, twins!"

I tell you, with my doctor, I don't get no respect. I told him, "I've swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills." He told me to have a few drinks and get some rest.

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quote: Manny Knowles

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Okay. That needs to go into the joke forum for safe-keeping.

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Done.
 

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Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 07-26-2013, 02:19 PM:
 
Richard, sorry to hear about this...I wish you all the best and hope things work out for you. Please keep us updated and always assert your rights to second opinions with the doctors. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
 

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