Glad to see 2014

When learning you have cancer, life becomes an "inch-by-inch" journey. Those inches add up to feet, yards and miles. (apologies to the rest of the world on the metric system. "centimeter by centimeter" doesn't have the same ring)

Embarking on a new year is like going a mile when your mortality is dangling in front of you. I am very happy to be here in 2014. 

After a wonderful glorious 5-week break from treatments, I had chemo [once/week] the two weeks bridging the old and new year and am currently on a two-week break. My current chemo cycle is two weeks on - two weeks off. (for my fellow pancreatic cancer fighters I am getting straight Abraxane {neat})

The first day after chemo my eyes began to bother me again. They not only dry out but become very irritated and often painful to keep open. I use artificial tears frequently but they don't help that much.
I also have Rx steroid eye drops. The relief from those is short as well. Being in front of a computer screen all day at work doesn't help I'm sure. When I get home I often close my eyes and nap to get relief. Other chemo side affects include fatigue, sleeplessness, constant runny nose and bloody mucous/sinus crap.

The good news is I don't suffer from nausea or vomiting and my appetite is good and I can eat whatever I want.

Other good news is that my blood tumor marker (CA19-9) is hanging around 145 which is a very good number. Next chemo is Jan. 22 and 29. 

For the benefit of my readers, I feel compelled to share again the symptoms I had that led to my diagnosis. Pancreatic cancer is a sneaky critter. This important but under-appreciated gland is hidden in your gut and cancer on it is hard to detect. Unlike colon, breast and prostate, there is no common standard screening test. Depending on it's location on the gland, it is often not painful. Because it's tucked up under the stomach and duodenum, the tumor is not readily palpable.

Here are some clues (ugly ones at that) to watch for, indicating there may be a problem:

• unplanned weight loss (fat is not digested/absorbed)
• clay-colored stools (obstructed biliary outflow)
• feeling more "full" than usual after eating
• diarrhea
• floating feces (high fat content - lighter than water)
• feces has oily appearance due to excess lipids
• especially foul-smelling feces
• vitamin D level is low (this requires a test. The body uses fat to adsorb vitamin D)

These were my indicators, there are numerous others: jaundice, pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, pulmonary embolism to name a few.

It pretty much takes a CT scan or PET scan to "see" if there is a problem.

I felt I owe it to you to remind you to be on the alert for all kinds of cancer.

I am using a "blend" of modern medicine and your prayers to fight the beast and stay well. So far it is working remarkably well and I would like to stay with this plan for now.

adieu.

ricky