History and update

Jan2007 - doctor physical with a variety of tests (several dates)
Mar2007 - tests results - blood work, ECG, ultrasound (found something) etc.
May2007 - CT scan to verify an anomaly requiring further exploration
Jun2007 - CT results proving a cyst, growth, tumor - no name for it yet.
Aug2007 - Endoscopy day-op proving a blockage to be removed
Sep2007 - operation - distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy surgery -90%

Seo2007 - recovery from operation expected (6-8 weeks)
Oct2007 - confirmation of Pancreatic Cancer
Nov2007 - informed that I have to undergo radiation and chemo therapy
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Here it is, we are 14 hours away where I will have my first radiation treatment followed with my first chemotherapy through a picc line. (smaller regular dosage 24/7). I have to admit this does not seem or sound pleasant and I'm not looking forward to it. Truth be known, it is for the best and should make me a healthier person.

I most certainly appreciate all the support I have received thus far from everyone. Ironically, I had someone say "my sympathy" and I found that funny as if anything was ever to happen to me, someone would have already told me instead of telling my family at that time.

The comfort I have at present, is from Sylvie (my wife) who is always there by my side to help me and has been my best recourse of inspiration through this. Although I have a very positive attitude, she has always been able to see ahead and has been very patient with my denial, disbelief and cynical views. Sadly for me, I'm a very realistic person and stats are stats...

With a successful operation and recovery, the survival rate of this cancer is at 45%-5 years when you undergo chemo/radiation treatments. So I guess that tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life and I most certainly intend to live this at it's fullest. I have been reading so much about this Cancer and although most information repeats itself, at times, it gets confusing - the good thing is that I now understand some of their lingo - So I'm still learning

I'm anxious to see my kids 15 and 17 grow to their full potential in life and hope they make good choices all around. I will be there for them each and every day.

I stopped working since Sep2007 to fix this and my returning date so far should be Jan2008. Being a workaholic by nature, I find it very difficult and feel useless at times. You can just imaging doing your 10-14 hours/day and then finding you have to stop. BANG - you now have to take care of yourself and nothing else.

Anyways, I have never had a BLOG before and this will be useful for all to see where I am with my situation. I thought of sending emails but soon realized the workload this would create. With the BLOG, you can forward the link to your friends or family and let them get the facts at their own pace.

Note that I intend to post everyday (where possible) but this may get interrupted if I do not feel well enough to write. I would appreciate that no panic be taken as I probably would require my rest at the time.

The show must go on and we are at the first curtain... I somewhat feel like as if I was being punished but I will get over that. Stay tuned for more...

Tis for now/ciao/mlb