Friday, July 13, 2012

The Silent Killer

Hi, folks. It's been a while since I blogged. A lot has happened to me in those weeks gone by and I thought it would be a good time to share with you.You see, I'm in a fight for my life.
I have pancreatic cancer, stage two. Found it by way of a 'lucky' break that almost killed me. My bile duct was blocked and I went severely jaundiced. My INR had shot to a point where some people bleed to death internally. I didn't bleed to death. The jaundice didn't kill me. The CT scan showed a dark spot on my pancreas and that almost scared me to death. The silent killer, it's called, because it often goes beyond the point of intervention before being detected. So, it was a lucky accident for me.
What happened next can only be described as a nightmare. A team of doctors and residents descended on my and my wife, all brimming with the details of how they would help me prepare to die. I am a person of faith in my God and when He calls, I'm ready to go. However, I haven't heard Gabriela's trumpet call, or the fat lady singing, for that matter. So, when the cheery oncologist appeared eager to disseminate statistic of gloomy nature, we ordered her out of the room.
I had lost quite a bit of weight due to my inability to eat regularly, and then an extended stay in the hospital where I got mostly broth and clear liquids for over a week. The weight loss had nothing to do with the cancer, it seems. We hobbled me home and sat in a muddle for days, waiting for some guidance on what to do. Because I'd rejected that original team's sage advice, I was on my own.
Well, not quite. My wife Patricia is a fighter, and she was fighting mad. She began to research what other options I might have available. Her search paid off. Right in Kansas City, a few miles from the other (unnamed) hospital, she found Menorah. And a procedure they call Cyber-knife, a non-invasive high tech form of radiation that shows high success rates for treating cancers.
Short story, she called, they invited us to present our previous records, a team met and discussed my case, and they came up with a protocol for dealing with my cancer.We're now several weeks into the chemo-radiation sequence that will reduce the tumor and make it possible to remove surgically. My scheduled date for surgery is in September. It will keep my in hospital for up to two weeks,, and a slow recovery at home. But, if they are successful, I will be cancer-free and able to stay on the planet a bit longer than Team A (I have a name for that letter but I won't use it here) had predicted.
If they are not successful, at least we tried. No worse than lying in a bed, waiting to die, hoping to die. In the meantime, I am continuing to write and publish as though I have another decade ahead of me. It's the only way I know to live, and I'm content in the knowledge that we're doing everything possible to beat this 'death' sentence.
And that's my message today in a nutshell. If you find yourself in the situation I'm in, get that second opinion unless you're happy with the first one. There are options, and sometimes the 'recognized' cancer center leader is not the leader at all except in a political sense. That was the case in Kansas City. They have a wonderful collection of doctors and specialists whose motto is 'we can beat this thing'. God willing and with their help, I'm going to beat this thing. Cheers, all!
Pat Dale







24 comments:

  1. You can beat it with this kind of fighting attitude. Sorry to hear of your health issues, but glad you have hope. I'll keep you in my prayers. Go for it!!

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  2. I love your attitude. I truly believe those that give up die quickly, so don't give up. Write those books!

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  3. The book was good and the content too, cancer is the dangerous disease and Stage 4 Cancer is even more dangerous.

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  4. I lost my grandfather last August to pancreatic cancer. You're right, it is a silent killer. They found it and set dates for discussion and what not and he was gone not even two weeks later. There was no time for any of it to sink in, I think I'm still dealing almost a year later. Good luck and lots of prayers and white healing light sent to you from me. :) Stay strong and positive, you can and will beat this thing. :)

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  5. Pat,

    Our hopes and prayers are with you in this trying time. Thank heavens you found Menorah, and best of luck with this course of treatment!

    Jamie

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  6. I knew you wouldn't go gentle into that good night, dear friend. I've been thinking of you.

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  7. Keep up the good fight! There are people who survive such circumstances and you sound as if you have the fight (and the doctors) to be one of them!

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  8. Praying for good health to return. You have a great attitude and I'm glad you're still writing. Wishing you the best.
    ro

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  9. That is a really inspirational blog on how to love life and fight for the right to live it long and well every which way you know. If you and Menorah can't do it, then I guess nobody can. The very best of luck for a successful operation and recovery.

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  10. As a cancer survivor, I am living proof that a positive attitude and a dose of deep belly laughter at least once a day is as much a part of surviving as the treatment.

    Best wishes for a longer stay and a lots of laughs in your future.

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  11. My sister is also sick with cancer and I'm positive it's her fighting spirit that has kept her going. You keep fighting Pat and you'll win.

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  12. Pat, your spirit will keep you going!! I know it!!! So happy they were able to find it and that you are getting treatment. My thoughts and prayers are with you and I know with your attitude you will beat this!!!

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  13. Sounds like you are not in this fight alone. Your wife is fighting right along with you. All good thoughts and healing prayers sent your way, for both of you. Thank you for sharing your fight. Keep writing, keep fighting and God Bless.

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  14. The doctors don't always know what they're talking about. Like you, when I don't like what a doctor says, I look for another opinion. Eleven years ago I was told I had six months to live. I sacked that doctor and got someone who knew what he was talking about. Must have worked, I'm still here. Not quite fighting fit but living a good life.


    I don't have cancer, but rather I have chronic disease that could easily have killed me had I let it.

    Glad to know you're fighting the goood fight.

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  15. I'm so glad you're still here, Pat. My mother died of cancer so I'm always happy when I hear of survivors. My step-mom survived, my biological mother didn't. Of course, my biological mother didn't believe in doctors. Every time you post from now on I'll be thinking of how you fought and won.

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  16. Pat, I'm so sorry to hear this. You've got a tremendous amount of spirit and I don't doubt for a minute you'll beat this. Let me know if I can do anything.
    Hugs,

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  17. I appreciate all your comments and well wishes. Yes, I have a very special advantage in this battle; my wife Patricia. Without the amazing amount of effort she's putting into this, I wouldn't stand a chance.l Every patient facing a life-threatening situation needs an advocate that won't stand for BS, and demands good answers. I've got that, along with the prayers and well-wishes of hundreds of folks all across the globe. How lucky can one guy be, I ask you?
    I'll be blogging again next week with some more specific items for any of you who are facing something like this.
    PD

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  18. Pat, my prayers and positive thoughts go with you. I admire your courage and proactive spirit.

    Sydell Voeller

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  19. Blessings, love, support and strength to you and your wife.
    What scary news! You are in my prayers.

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  20. Pat, Your message is well received. Every moment is important and we should all live like that. I've been on the "Fiction that sells" group a long time, and so have you. It has been nice to watchh your success and I hope that you have many more writing successes, as well as life success.

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  21. Sorry to hear you are facing this, but you are lucky to have your wife fighting for you. You are right - you've got to have an advocate when dealing with the healthcare system. Hope Team A will be proven wrong! Sending good thoughts out to you that you'll be writing for years and years to ccome.

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  22. Pat, Congratulations to Patricia for her doggedness.:) I was recently diagnosed with stage 3 larynx cancer and understand so much of what you've written. Since, I've showered many wishes on the medical community. lol. I found one good doctor who set me up with three other professionals. Radiation and chemo now fill my social calendar. But heck, without them I'd just be sitting here writing. lol. I wish you well, Pat, and will hold you in my thoughts and prayers.

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  23. Pat, you are blessed to have Patricia as your lifelong partner, fighting for you. Hang tough because I know how stubborn you can be and that positive attitude is the best medicine the both of you can have. Will be sending continued positive thoughts and prayers your way.

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  24. Pat, my prayers continue for you. I hope you are doing well and winning a little more each day.

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