My Dad

Well I haven't made an update on my Dad in a while so here it goes.....

After several more visits to St. Louis we know the exact type of Pancreatic Cancer he has.  Only 10% of people diagnosed w/ P.C. have the type my Dad has.  He was told it is the 10% you want to be in.  If you can say that.  It is considered to be the most survivable.

 He was injected w/ a nuclear dye to find any other traces of cancer in his body.   Nothing showed up except one small spot on his sternum.  And they aren't even sure that it is cancer.  It could be something he's had since birth.  It did not show up on any of the CT scans.  So they are reviewing it a little more in depth to see if they think there is anything to it.

Last Friday they scheduled him for surgery on May 11th.  But he got a phone call today saying they had a surgery opening come up this Thursday.  He took it.  So he will be undergoing his "Wipple" surgery this Thursday the 28th in St. Louis.  He will be in the hospital 10-14 days.  They say 3 mos for recovery.  It is major surgery. They compare it to open heart surgery. It should take approx. 6 hrs. They will remove the part of the Pancreas where the tumor is. They will also remove the gallbladder and a portion of the stomach where the pancreas is hooked on to.  They will then stretch the pancreas up and recreate the connection between it and his stomach. And NO you can not live with out your pancreas.  A lot of people don't know that.  It will be approx. 2 mos before he will get to start eating solid foods.

We are feeling very blessed that he has got the best news possible so far with all of this.  With faith, family, friends and lots of love he will persevere.

Love you lots Dad.