cldymond

Nancy: Have just read your post and am praying for the “stent blockage’. Don’t let it get you down, just the rollercoaster needing to be oiled. My thoughts and prayers are with you today and always.
Cheryl

Philip:
Welcome to the site that as everyone says you hate to have to visit! First your photos are beautiful. What a wonderful family. Second, congratulations on the “whipple” being a success. As the wife (caregiver) of a wonderful man who was unable to have surgery … I consider this a “miracle”. Please don’t dwell on what could come, enjoy your health as it gets better each day. As you face each hurdle, you will find it gets easier. Don’t let this awful disease dictate how you live your life. Face each hurdle, jump it and go on living and enjoying your family with a new appreciation of how truly amazing leach day, each season and each year can be. I pray your recovery will be swift.
Cheryl
P.S. My husband Herb and I are in Calgary as well.

Cathy:
I always knew it, but am very glad that you were able to prove it!! Miracles do happen … congratulations. Hope everything goes well and I agree, everyone in this organization and on this site are outstanding and caring !!!
Cheryl

Miles:
We are in Calgary as well. Herb was told in Feb of 2010 that he should go home and “get his affairs in order”. That was by a surgeon who was unable to operate due to the extensive spread of CC. Herb has Stage 4 Klatskins carcinoma with spread throughout the liver, gallbladder and spots in his lung. Thanks to a wonderful oncologist (who told us “there is probably no cure but with Chemo and other measures (ie bile duct drain – etc) we should be able to buy you some valuable, quality time”. Herb has 2 external drains (one in the bile duct and 1 in the gallbladder and also a stent. He has been through 1 round (8 x 3wk round of Gemcitibine and Cysplatin – 2wks of chemo – one off). Although Herb has way less energy, has lost weight and is now on Fentanyl patches for pain (which keep pain well controlled but not “dopey”, he is, as he says “Doing great”. His last few scans have shown no progression of the disease, which to us is great news. No-one can tell you how long you have and if they do …Don’t trust them” Our family has adopted the attitude – Herb is not dying of cancer…he is living with cancer and we are all enjoying every moment. We no longer worry about “how much time is left”, instead we realize how blessed we are to have been given the opportunity to “Live like we are dying” all together. If you ever feel the need to talk to someone …feel free to e-mail.
Cheryl

Jen: You said it all baby girl. Happy birthday to my wonderful husband. Love you …Mom (Cheryl)

Nancy – Unfortunately, I do know what “blowing snow” is. Glad to hear that Dougs labs and overall wellness have improved. As you know, you and I (Herb and Doug) are very similiar in age, number of years married, grandchildren and much to my dismay, both our husbands have been diagnosed with “Stage 4 C.C.” This was not exactly the “Retirement Plan” that either of us expected but “it is what it is”!
Herbs short term memory was also affected, especially when he was on Chemo. I am sorry to hear that there has been progression but glad they are going to continue chemo! Herbs disease has also progressed but not at a rapid pace. He recently had a repeat CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and we see the oncologist Feb. 25 (will get results at that time). Please Nancy, keep us posted and congratulations on the engagement. Continue to enjoy, one day at a time! Every day is another for the “book of memories”!
Cheryl

Margaret – So glad to hear you and Tom are home!! Even in the frustration that new developments can cause, there is always light.Somehow, it takes a “little jolt” to make us aware, again, of how wonderful time at home with our loved ones is. There is a special peace at home. Enjoy !!
Cheryl