It’s
been two years since Bob had the Whipple procedure for adenocarcinoma at the
head of his pancreas (in which 30% of his pancreas, and other previously-considered-vital
organs were removed).
He’s
doing great!
Bob feels – and looks! – terrific! He works full time. Eats.
Sleeps. Exercises. Maintains a good weight. (With the help of doctors and our vigilant,
much adored professional dietitian daughter who helped Bob and Cindi learn to
manage Bob’s special dietary requirements) what remains of Bob’s pancreas no
longer requires external insulin. Bob doesn’t check his blood sugar anymore. No
more blood-letting needle sticks or pricks, yippee! Bob has never needed enzymes
to aid his digestive system.
To give Bob’s body more time to heal/settle following
radiation (for recurrence in a single lymph node hiding in the surgical bed
behind what remained of his pancreas) he’s enjoying a Treatment Holiday. No
chemo or radiation. No labs, CTs, MRIs, PET scans, evaluations, procedures,
tests. For three months!
What this isn’t: a NED (No Evidence of Disease) Break.
Pancreatic
Cancer is not (at this writing) “curable.” Surgery removes the tumor but not
(necessarily) the Thing itself. It is a sneaky Beast, unpredictable, insidious,
cruel. The treatment goal is to attain NED Status – and keep it, with regular
scans and labs.
Although Bob’s tumor and cancer labs were normal (Huzzah!) at
the conclusion of radiation, follow-up CT and PET scans were “inconclusive.” We
are cautiously optimistic that when labs, scans and appointments begin anew,
Bob will earn the Coveted NED Break.
To celebrate this period of calm, Bob and Cindi went horseback
riding in Texas. Bob scraped, repaired and painted a bedroom ceiling. There
will be a baseball-watching trip to St. Louis. Where Bob, a native Missourian,
will (finally) climb the Arch.
And, on April 29, Bob will participate in Purple Stride, a
walk to benefit Pancreatic Cancer research.
Two years down, a lifetime to live.
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