|
READ
ABOUT
JOHNS HOPKINS
MEDICAL CENTER
WATCH
RANDY PAUSCH
"THE LAST LECTURE"
ON YOUTUBE
EMAIL CARROLL |
|
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
 Dearest Friends,
With a heavy heart filled with
incomprehensible grief I must tell you that my beloved Carroll
passed on Sunday morning. He fought a courageous battle against
pancreatic cancer that I never dreamed would defeat us. Although I
knew the illness presented odds that were tough to beat, I find
myself completely unprepared to accept his loss. Gwynna, Spencer and
I were with him when he passed peacefully on Sunday morning. As
horribly difficult as it was to let go, we feel privileged to have
been with him during his transition.
A memorial service will be held in
the celebration of his life on Friday, April 24th at 10
am at Harry P. Leu Gardens in the Native Wetland Garden. A reception
will follow at 11:15 am in the Camellia Room and guests are then
invited to enjoy the gardens and reflect. For those that are able to
attend directions may be found at
www.leugardens.org Please allow time for parking and walking to
the garden.
Carroll can best be remembered as a
loving father, husband and passionate gardener. The setting at Leu
Gardens is absolutely beautiful and fitting for the amazing person
that Carroll was. The memorial service will be conducted by our
wonderful minister, Reverend Scott Alexander of River Road Unitarian
Universalist Congregation of Bethesda, Maryland. For those traveling
from out of state Marriott Courtyard Orlando Downtown is providing a
bereavement rate.
Thank you all ever so much for the
constant support and love you have extended to our family. Going
through a painful experience such as this has truly shown us the
meaning of friendship.
With love to you all,
Patty
Monday, March 2, 2009
 Hi,
this is Gwynna. Dad had a deadline to write in the journal this
week, but got side-tracked dealing with some major nausea issues.
Dave Teffeteller, my dad’s good friend and the lovely fellow that
uploads Dad’s journals online, is going to Patagonia for a couple
weeks on a fly-fishing trip. Thus, Dad will not be able to update
his journal till the end of March. While you are waiting on more
Carroll action, you can also check out Dave’s blog
“Just
Another Day in Ellijay”.
Dad has gone back to full chemotherapy treatment at the
Florida Hospital. This is the first time that he has been dealing
with some major nausea issues and has been hospitalized for a few
days. Dad is a real trooper though and said to me yesterday, “These
are the bumps in the road you have to deal with along your course.”
Dad is supposed to return to Johns Hopkins on March 23rd
for another ERCP, which is the bile duct stint replacement. After
that we are looking forward to chillin’ with Pops over Spring Break,
which probably means watching Keith Olbermann and discussing how
cute Penny is. Here is a really random picture of Dad, Spencer, and
me taken very recently…
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Updating my personal journal usually waits for eventful
information that I want to share that deems itself relevant. I have
waited for this special event since undergoing the multiple
therapies that I have received since my initial diagnosis with
pancreatic cancer. On January 27, 2009, I attended the full day
session, as a patient, at the “Pancreas Multidisciplinary Cancer
Clinic” conducted by the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
at the Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. A total
of six pancreatic patients (the maximum allowed) attended this
special evaluative clinic.
First, let me extol the staff at the Johns Hopkins Medical
Center and especially those of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive
Cancer Center. I speak of the physicians, nurses, clinicians and
support staff. I am absolutely ecstatic with the level of
professionalism, knowledge, patient care and good ole customer
service they each provide. If you, your family, or a friend is in
need of medical attention, I highly recommend that you consider the
specialty areas that Johns Hopkins Medical Center offers.
In an effort to be succinct, I am only sharing the evaluation
outcomes and recommendations.
-
I
continue to remain a non-candidate for surgery (Whipple procedure).
The constituted problem is that the pancreatic tumor encases a
portion of the Hepatic Artery and the Portal Vein. It is too
dangerous to perform surgery in this vital vascular area.
-
The pancreatic specialists in surgery, medical
oncology and radiation all recommend that the treatment procedure
“not rock the boat and maintain the current steady course.” Plans
are to continue the regiment of chemotherapy with Gemzar and Tarceva
over the next 12 to 24 weeks.
-
My tumor marker scores for the past 5 months have
been excellent. The scores are low in the normal range. This means
the overall tumor has been in an inactive state neither growing nor shrinking. My cell biology and the actual tumor have
responded well to the therapies. All of the physicians that I
personally met with, including medical oncology, surgery and
radiation oncology stated that I was in a 10% category of national
pancreatic patients. This meant I could not have surgery at this
time, but did respond to the given therapies. Statistically, I am
somewhat of an anomaly.
-
If the tumor begins to “act up” during or after
the current chemotherapies, Dr. Joseph M. Herman, Assistant
Professor Radiation Oncology and Director of the Pancreatic
Multidisciplinary Cancer Clinic recommends future potential
treatment with
Stereotactic Radiosurgery.
Dr. Herman, a pancreatic cancer radiology specialist, is conducting
research and protocols, in conjunction with Stanford Medical School
and M. D. Anderson Cancer Center for using this method on both lung
and pancreatic tumors. Previously, this very finite form of therapy
has been used on small brain tumors. He stated, "Stereotactical
Radiation or Radiosurgery could be considered, but with caution.”
Oh, I quietly said to myself, it might blow up a few other vital
organs, which would not go over very well with the body.
It could spring a gas leak!
Until my next update, thank
you again for the tremendous support that I continue to receive from
family and friends. Enjoy the cold winter that everyone seems to
be having - and that includes Florida. Between the side affects
of the chemotherapy and the weather, I have never been so cold!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Since my last journal update, I have been asking myself what is
there to update. My life has been directed by chemotherapy and more
chemotherapy. However, there have been lots of positive activities
with the family. Our daughter, Gwynna, has been rigorously applying
to colleges and taking the standardized tests. Patty traveled with
Gwynna and Spencer to visit and tour two campuses in New York. Our
son, Spencer, embarked on some new directions with drum lessons.
They both continue to collaborate with much interest on video
production. Yes, our family does have a strong drive for the arts.
It has been an active household busily moving forward. In all
honesty, I love to experience and enjoy this level of activity. The
kids are really on the move.
My big plans to travel to Johns Hopkins Medical Center in
late January 2009 came sooner than later. On Tuesday December 22nd,
I received my regular chemotherapy treatment and as usual, the
impact hits two days later. Well, the first item that I experienced
on Christmas Day was the impact of chemotherapy. The chemo really
kicked my butt! Fortunately, I was able to get up for part of the
afternoon to spend some quality time with the family and open
Christmas gifts. Afterwards, I went to bed and spent the next four
days dealing with side effects and sleeping. I cannot ever recall
spending so much time in bed sleeping. It was a time that you
appreciate some drugs. Also, during this period I noticed some
additional symptoms that were occurring...
 On Monday afternoon, I was diagnosed with a blocked bile duct
and early stages of jaundice. I immediately contacted the Johns
Hopkins Medical Center and they scheduled me for another ERCP
replacing the bile duct stent on early Wednesday morning December
31st. Thank God that this institution can respond with expediency.
Over a three day period, I received care and direction from six
different physicians. The procedure was successful and I returned to
Orlando very late in the evening on New Year’s Day.
It has been a tough ten days, but I am recovering very well.
I plan to return to my work schedule tomorrow. Maintaining a work
schedule tends to keep me focused and out of trouble. My theme is to
constantly keep my eye on the big health picture, but effectively
manage the daily and weekly bumps in the road. It’s an ongoing
challenge and I have to strive for daily solutions with the help of
family, friends, and medical professionals. I especially want to
express my sincere gratitude to my bother-in-law Rick Forgham and to
my special friends Steve and Brenda Putnam. They provided me
invaluable assistance with my scheduling at Johns Hopkins Medical
Center and during my stay at the hospital.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Today we conclude our
celebration of the Thanksgiving Holiday and also the last day of
Hurricane Season. We gave our blessings for a most pleasant
Thanksgiving that we enjoyed and also our special thanks that
Orlando did not experience the wrath of any of this season’s
hurricanes. Yea!
On Monday November 10th, I completed my six weeks of
radiation therapy which included 30 sessions. On Tuesday November
11th, I completed a total of eight weeks of Infusion Therapy with
the chemo drug 5-FU (Fluorouracil). I was warned that the
radiation could cause some side effects with my stomach and true to
form, it did. I had to learn to deal with a different level of
nausea, along with some pain and the usual level of fatigue.
Apparently, the work effect of radiation remains in your body for
about thirty days after completing the treatment cycle. So, I
got two weeks off from any type of treatment (therapy vacation) and
I now have started (November 25th) the regular chemotherapy
with Gemzar once per week and the daily pill dosage of Tarceva. This
latest chemo phase will last until I have my next major evaluation
(January 2009).
This extensive evaluation will be done at the Johns Hopkins
Medical Center beginning Monday January 26, 2009 with a 3D CT scan.
On Tuesday January 27th, I will be involved in a single day
comprehensive evaluation of a patient process incorporating all the
resources available for education, diagnosis, treatment, and
research of pancreatic cancer as part of the Johns Hopkins Pancreas
Multidisciplinary Clinic at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer
Center. Also, I will be involved with the Johns Hopkins’ Sol Goldman
Pancreatic Cancer Research Center. This evaluative team consists of
six or seven clinical specialists and six or more pancreatic
physician specialists. Wednesday January 28th and Thursday January
29th are days for additional follow up
testing if necessary. Then, I will have an ERCP (endoscopy) to
replace the bile duct stent on Friday January 30th. This
lengthy patient process will determine the outcomes from the
chemotherapies and radiation therapies. At the conclusion of the
evaluative clinic, the team will present me with a recommended
treatment plan.
 On future personal journal updates, I will share some of my
thoughts on pancreatic cancer and especially, my use of both medical
and non-medical therapies. I have consulted with a number of medical
professionals and practitioners around the country that have
assisted me with my therapeutic plans. One prevailing factor through
this process is one’s personal determination, strength, attitude and
a warm circle of energy.
Over the years, I have always been a believer in Pet
Therapy and one little member of our family has graciously provided
me that special therapy. She is a terrier mix that we adopted from a
local rescue group two years ago and her name is Penny. Our family
has been totally enamored with Penny and how she shares her love and
affection for everyone. About three weeks ago, I was having some
discomfort around 3:15 AM, so I go out of bed, took some prescribed
medicine and walked around the house for a while. Finally settling
down and returning to bed about 4:00 AM, Penny sensed something was
wrong and she jumped into our bed (she always sleeps in her bed).
She gave me a nudge with her nose, a big lick on my arm and then
curled up next to me until I went to sleep. Penny shows her care
and concern just as you all have extended to me over the past
several months.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Yes, I have been procrastinating, perhaps I just went through a
period of writer’s block, or maybe I just wasn’t motivated.
Actually, it has been a bit of everything. Now for the truth! I am
going through some very aggressive medical treatment, attempting to
work full-time and keep up with a most wonderful and very active
family. The daily schedule is full, even most weekends. Just last
week, I remarked to my wife Patty, "remember when Sunday was a
restful day?” Not any more with today’s lifestyles. In September and
October I have had 41 medical appointments.
Whew! Everyday I say my daily prayers and express a special thank
you for the blessings that I receive.
For the past 5 weeks, I have been under going radiation and
chemotherapy in a joint treatment plan. Radiation is delivered daily
Monday through Friday, while the chemotherapy is administered 7 days
per week, 24 hours
per day through a pump that is permanently
attached to my chest port. This method is call Infusion Therapy.
This phase of treatment with radiation and chemotherapy is scheduled
to end on November 10, 2008. The oncologist then plans to allow the
radiation to work internally for another month. Then I go back to
the original chemotherapy drug Gemzar for another 4 to 6 weeks.
As you can surmise, although tough to endure, it is a very
aggressive treatment plan. I am very pleased with this regiment that
Dr. Edil at Johns Hopkins Medical Center and Dr. Dunn at Florida
Hospital Cancer Institute have jointly planned. Upon completion of
the treatment plan, I plan to return to John Hopkins Medical Center
in January 2009 for an in-depth evaluation.
On October 6, 2008, Patty and I traveled to Johns Hopkins
Medical Center in Baltimore Maryland to have a quarterly scheduled
procedure ERCP to replace my bile duct stent. The procedure was
performed by Dr. Zhiping Li and was very successful. With pancreatic
cancer, the tumor grows to narrow or pinch the bile duct which
inhibits the fluid passage. Trust me, a blocked bile duct can cause
problems.
Last Saturday,
Spencer, Gwynna, Patty and I participated in a 5K run and walk
sponsored by the Central Florida affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer
Action Network (a national organization). The event, part of a
national program called Purple Stride, raises money for public
awareness, education, and research for pancreatic cancer.
November is National Pancreatic Awareness Month and the color
purple represents pancreatic cancer. So take up this year’s theme
Picture Your World Purple.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Just a quick update for my friends and colleagues around the
country. Thank you for wanting to know. Last week, I completed what
I am referring to as Phase I of the treatment plan. I finished 12
straight weeks of chemotherapy which included the drugs Gemzar
and Tarceva. These are the two most commonly used drugs for
pancreatic tumors. The oncologist did confirm that overall the tumor
did not shrink, but did remain localized. From all test indications,
no other organs, blood vessel, or bones have been affected. The
tumor blood marker scores were better (I really do not know what
this means). Overall, I survived a tough regiment of drugs although
it was a daily challenge. Chemotherapy affects so many parts of your
body and you could almost say that no two days are a like. It is
challenging both physically and psychologically.
Now, I am moving into Phase II of the treatment plan. This past
week I had my first meeting with Dr. Robert Sollaccio, radiation
oncology, to start the planning and mapping of the radiation
treatment. I also completed the CT scans and markers to complete
radiation mapping. My initial impressions of Dr. Sollaccio were
excellent and I am pleased that he will be working with me.
Phase II treatment will utilize both radiation and chemotherapy at
the same time. I will receive radiation Monday through Friday each
week for a period of six weeks. At the same time I will receive
another chemo drug called Fluorouracil or for short
5-FU. The drug 5-FU works in combination and enhances the radiation
treatment. Next Tuesday, I will be fitted with a portable pump with
a week’s supply of the drug and it will be connected to my power
port embedded in my chest. The pump will have to be carried in a
shoulder sling bag 7/24 and refilled each week. So, just think of
the bag as a man purse. My daily shower that I have always cherished
now becomes a daily trick! Just remember that cleanliness is next to
Godliness
Friday, August 29, 2008
As both a student and an aficionado of business marketing over
many, many years, I have always been intrigued and practiced within
the concept of “Perception Creates Reality.” Now that I have
completed ten (10) straight weeks of chemotherapy (without the usual
break), I will attest that the general perception of this medical
therapy holds truth. Yes, it is a most valuable medical therapy, but
most enduring. I have no major complaints and feel fortunate that I
have personally persevered with no major side affects. I am most
thankful to only deal with the minor affects and let me add to your
perception “there are lots of minor ones on a daily basis.” My
individual treatment plan includes the drug “Gemzar” that I receive
intravenously once per week at the Florida Hospital Cancer Center
and the drug “Tarceva” taken orally at home every morning around
6:00 AM. Overall the schedule has not been burdening.
Last Monday August 25, 2008, I had my first evaluation tests,
which included CT scans and x-rays. Although I do not have the
complete results as yet, I had a telephone conversation with my
medical oncologist today. He said that we would proceed with the
planned second phase of the therapy with external beam radiation. On
Tuesday September 2, 2008, I will get the test reports and the
radiation treatment plans. Good news to date is that the tumor
remains in the original diagnosed area and has not affected any
other organs, vessels, or bones.
In early October 2008, I am scheduled to be at Johns Hopkins
Medical Center in Baltimore for my quarterly scheduled endoscopy. At
that time, I will have a bile duct stent replaced. Trust me, this
procedure is well worth it and eliminates many complications. It
keeps me from looking like the big yellow banana (jaundice).
People in My Life
 Periodically,
I would like to mention or recognize people in my life. First let me
thank everyone for reaching out touching me and my very special
family. The friendship, the spirit, and the prayers from so many
people have been truly enormous. I have been personally uplifted and
emotionally touched almost daily. The spirit of friendship and the
spirit of life are meaningful. Just saying thank you does not fully
convey the heartfelt appreciation.
Last weekend, our family was honored to have Terry A.
Chervenak a close dear friend and professional colleague, visit with
us at our home. Terry, known to our kids as Aunt Cherv, resides in
Knoxville, Tennessee, where she is owner of Chervenak & Associates
PC a public accounting company.
I have had the pleasure of working with Terry (although there
was a few of my business days that she probably did not find me a
pleasure) for over twenty five years. Terry has been a
business confidante, mentor and advisor and a very special friend to
me and our family. Thank you Terry for putting up with me for so
many years!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Yes, I admit that I have been a little lax with my time and
schedule for the past couple of weeks. I realized I had not updated
my personal journal for over two weeks. As I had recommended earlier
for everyone to stop and smell the roses, I soon found myself
falling asleep on top of the rose bush. The chemotherapy is going as
well as to be expected, but I have become more tired daily and even
more zapped on certain weekdays. This week I successfully completed
my sixth straight week of chemotherapy. Both my white and red blood
cell counts remain low, however I have been able to continue on
without missing a week. Usually, when your blood counts are low you
must skip a week to build the cell numbers again. My chemo nurses
keep patting me on the head saying, “Good Boy!"
This past weekend, I was unable to attend my high school reunion in
Greenville, SC. I had planned to go, but was advised to stay home
and wait for the reviews. One of my best buddies emailed and summed
up some our classmates: old, gray hair or bald and overweight and
you should have seen some of the guys too. I salute my fellow
classmates as we have all aged the same. I send my best wishes and
I'm
thrilled that everyone had a good time. I really missed seeing
everyone. Remember that we won our division for the South Carolina
State Football Championship as well as baseball, track, tennis and
golf. The basketball team lost by either one or two points in the
state finals. What a year for GHS sports! You have to remember that
I was truly an ole jock. Jersey number 24.
On a sad note, Dr. Randy Pausch, 47, Carnegie Mellon University
professor and pancreatic cancer patient, passed away on Friday July
25, 2008. He was such an inspiration to me and so many people. He
was highly recognized for his compelling book “The Last Lecture”
based on his last Carnegie Mellon lecture “Really Achieving Your
Childhood Dreams”. Click
here to view this lecture on
youtube. I send a special prayer for him and his family. May God
Bless
Friday, July 11, 2008
This week I completed my third week of chemotherapy in Orlando
and all seems to be well. I am especially pleased with my medical
oncologist, Dr. Phillip Dunn. He is a very bright and dedicated
professional. Hopefully, I will continue to settle into a weekly
routine and complete the projected six month cycle. I am pleased to
announce that to date I have not experienced any serious side
affects. Yes, there are numerous daily side affects to manage,
however they are minor inconveniences in working toward our primary
treatment objectives which is the big picture. I did have a bump in
the road that was not related to the chemotherapy. On Wednesday
June 25, 2008, I experienced the sudden onset of a fever of 103
degrees. Dr. Dunn hospitalized me for five nights to manage the
fever and an internal infection. Apparently, the infection was
centered on some small blockage around the stent that was placed in
my bile duct. The extensive antibiotic regiment and care that I was
given was successful. I returned home on Monday June 30, 2008 and
returned to work the next day.
Lesson learned!
Please heed this advice from Carroll. While hospitalized, I was
scheduled to receive the intravenous antibiotic at 11:00 pm one
night. The nurse came to my room about 11:20 pm. In a light sleep,
I awoke and asked if she would like to turn on the lights to set up
the machine with the drugs. She declined, started the process and I
went back to sleep. The next morning I randomly looked at the
prescription bottle and bag still affixed to the IV pole. I
discovered that I had been given another patients prescription
medication. After consulting with my physician, I was given the okay
and I did not have any negative results from the drug. The lesson
learned is to always ask any medical personnel before you are given
a prescription. Ask them “What are you giving me”? Make sure
that they have looked at the label for the drug name and your name.
You should also do the same. I have now heard other similar stories
since then.
I have always heard that you should “stop and smell the roses”. With my
lifestyle changing overnight, I now really believe that one should
follow this advice. Last week, a friend and fellow master gardener
Alice Mikkleson (we were in the same Master Gardener class) brought
me a very special vase of roses she cut from her huge rose
collection and garden. They are absolutely beautiful. Thank
you Alice! I now stop and smell the roses everyday and recommend
that everyone do the same. Everyday is a special day.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Hallelujah, my chemotherapy treatment started yesterday
afternoon. It has been five weeks to the day since my official
diagnosis. The wait appeared to be a process of never ending
eternity, while living with such anxiety and uncertainty. I have
remained positive to go forward each decisive step of the way.
 It
reminded of the little train book that we have all read as young
children with the special message of “I think I can, I think can”
until we reached the hilltop. Chemotherapy has now become my first
hilltop with many more to go. I remind myself constantly, “I think I
can, I think I can”. So many family, friends, and colleagues have
been right there behind me daily with so much support and
encouragement.
With good progress along the way, chemotherapy has been scheduled
for six months here in Orlando. The primary drug induced is
Gemzar (Gemcitabine). There has
been success with many pancreatic tumor patients on Gemzar. One nice
feature with this particular drug is that I will receive it only
once per week. My medical oncologist is recommending another drug
taken orally each week and possibly radiation. I am very pleased
with this aggressive plan and I anxiously await the collaboration
with my local oncologist and the surgeon at Johns Hopkins Medical
Center.
Now for the fun stuff! This is a recent photo of Gwynna, Spencer,
and myself taken during our visit to Johns Hopkins. Patty was taking
the photo, so she could not get in this one. This photo shows how
the kids have grown. Spencer is now fourteen and will start high
school next fall at
Winter Park High School.
Just a little over a week ago Gwynna celebrated her seventeenth
birthday and will be going into her senior year at Winter Park High
School. Yes, we have started the college tour project with her.
Patty will be celebrating a very special birthday this fall.
However, I cannot divulge which one or my chemotherapy might get
interrupted very quickly.
My family has just been a wonderful inspiration and I am so
thankful.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Although I have been unable to respond to so many of you
individually, I want you to know that I hear and feel your special
thoughts and prayers daily. I have fully realized the profoundness
of friendship. Everyday I am touched emotionally and motivated to
accept this challenge and to positively go forward. Clearly, friends
are one of life’s greatest gifts.
With the help of my dear friend Dave Teffeteller, I am creating and
sharing this personal journal. Dave’s creative genius and wisdom have
been part of my professional life for over twenty five years.
Although this format can be impersonal, it will allow me to share
some updates with many of you periodically. These updates are
read-only and do not have a response function. However, please feel
free to e-mail or telephone me at your convenience and I will
attempt to respond as my time permits.
Gwynna, Spencer, Patty and I returned to our home in Orlando on
Wednesday June 11th. I have to say that as a family, we are all
completely in awe of Johns Hopkins Medical Center. Johns Hopkins
is a remarkable institution with an unbelievable staff.
After additional diagnostic testing and consultation with my lead
surgeon, the course of treatment has been changed. He has
recommended not doing the surgery at this time, but instead pursuing a
very aggressive chemotherapy plan in Orlando. A portion of the tumor
is in a very vascular area that affects the liver’s hepatic artery
and the portal vein, which makes for even more difficult surgery. To
date, all surrounding organs, blood vessels and bone have not been
affected. The goal is to reduce
the size of the tumor over the next 9 or 10 months and then consider
surgery at that time.
The race is now on!
This afternoon I will be meeting with our selected oncologist to
review and determine the chemotherapy treatment. I am very
fortunate to have Johns Hopkins to take the lead with my local team
of oncologists and gastroenterologists. Over the past two weeks, I
had a couple of other medical procedures at Johns Hopkins that were
very successful and helpful, and I have plans to return there every 3
months for some procedural follow-ups.
While in Maryland last Sunday, we as a family attended our church
and rekindled a special love and spirit. Thank you Rev. Scott W.
Alexander and the
River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation for
reaching out and caring. You have always filled my heart and soul
with such a divine spirit. I have been reminded by Rev. Alexander as
to, “what is a friendship?” It is knowing that there is another human
being you can trust completely.
In closing, I want to express my warmest and sincere gratitude to
my
family. Everyone rallied together immediately to create a support
network. They worked at multiple levels within a very short
timeframe to assist in so many ways. Their love and compassion has
been monumental in providing me daily inspiration. Thank you so much
to Patty, Gwynna, Spencer and all my family and friends.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Last week, with no major symptoms, I was diagnosed with a pancreatic
tumor. Immediately, I started my crusade to move through the morass
of medical professionals and insurance roadblocks. I have been
accepted by both the Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins Medical Center.
As of this afternoon, I have confirmed plans for treatment at the
Johns Hopkins Medical Center
in Baltimore. On Tuesday June 3, 2008,
I will have additional testing and surgical consultations at Johns
Hopkins. The Johns Hopkins pancreatic surgical team is ranked as the
world’s leading authority for this very intricate and difficult
surgical procedure (The Whipple Procedure). I am very thankful to
reach this level of expertise and care.
Patty and I will be traveling on Monday to Baltimore with Gwynna and
Spencer joining us on Wednesday - after the school year ends. Please
feel free to communicate at any time, but I will be unable to
respond to e-mails or telephone calls for several weeks.
Thank you for understanding, but more importantly thank you for your
friendship.
|
|
