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Tracy Parker hasn't added a story.
This is my story. One that has no end as no one knows what the outcome will be. Pancreatic cancer is a deadly, evil disease but I am determined to be one of the few that beats it...
In March, 2013, I lost my job due to downsizing. I hunted high and low, applied to every company I could think of, but never found a job.
In September, 2013, I lost my house as I could no longer afford the rent. I had to move in with my parents.
In December, 2013, I started to experience really intense pain in the lower right side of my torso. I spent many hours in the hospital getting tests and ultrasounds and received a diagnosis of gall stones.
In February, 2014, the pain got more intense and I was jaundiced so I was back to the hospital for more tests. A mass was spotted on my pancreas. A scope was ordered for March 5th. During this scope, a stent was placed into a bile duct to help relieve the jaundice and scrapings of the mass were taken. Within a week and a half, the jaundice was gone. The scrapings came back benign, but the doctor was wary. Another more detailed scope was ordered for the end of March. This scope took 2 hours and was just horrible. A core biopsy was taken at this time. An MRI was also ordered, which took place in April.
On May 23rd, I woke with pain so intense, I wanted to die. An ambulance was called and I was rushed to the hospital. I was given an IV with pain meds and started to feel some relief. The ER doctor came in and told me that this could sometimes be expected with pancreatic cancer. Everything froze at that moment. Did I hear him correctly? Did he just say I had cancer? I asked him to repeat what he just said, and he did. I looked at him and said "I have cancer?" He went white and looked mortified. "You didn't know?" I told him I didn't and he said it has been on my charts since the end of March.
That is how I received my diagnosis.
Now my journey begins...
On June 6th, I had a Whipple's procedure. While they were performing the Whipple's procedure, they found a lump on the underside of my liver. They did a liver resection and sent the lump to pathology. They also sent 29 lymph nodes that they removed. Only 3 of the lymph nodes came back with a "speck" of cancer in them. Unfortunately, the liver lump came back malignant, which means the cancer had metastasized. This means, cancer cells are in my blood now.
I saw my oncologist and we have agreed on a chemotherapy plan. I will be having a port put in by my right collar bone. I will also be having a CT scan so he has a fresh post surgery picture. The chemo will start in August. I will have a treatment every 2 weeks for 6 months. I will go to the hospital for 3 hours and then sent home with a pump. A nurse will come after 48 hours to disconnect the pump.
I have run out of EI benefits. Due to an error years ago, I cannot collect CPP, ODSP or OW, so I have zero income. I cannot afford my car payments, my storage unit payments, my phone payments or my credit card payments. You see, when you get sick and can't work, the companies you owe don't just stop charging you. I don't have a dental plan, which I need desperately, but I am fortunate enough to have a drug card from CCAC.
My family is not well to do, but they have helped me as much as they can. There's just nothing left.
Please, I need help and don't know where else to turn.
UPDATE: July 7, 2014
I am happy to report that I made it to my family reunion this past Saturday. It was an hour and a half drive, but I tolerated it very well! Less than a month after my surgery! The doctors are thrilled with my progress - actually, they've never seen anyone progress this quickly through recovery after having such a long (8 hours) and major surgery! I am very lucky... :)
UPDATE: July 8, 2014
I just got off the phone from my oncologist's office and I will be having my chemo port inserted on July 18th... It's only day surgery, so I'll be home the same day... :)
UPDATE: July 17, 2014
The portacath is in... No pain at all... And, of course, I got hotty doctor today! lol CAT scan on the 31st, see my oncologist shortly after that, then chemo starts!!
UPDATE: July 25, 2014
Well, today has been a real eye opener... Apparently, you have to be
wealthy to get cancer now!
I can't afford the shot that will boost my WBC count - $1500 for
each shot... And then, I have to get over $800 in prescriptions each
time I go!! Fortunately, my drug card covers a lot of it, but I still
have to pay $120 each time I go for 3 pills!! Ridiculous!
As for the Chemo itself, I tolerated it quite well... Got just a
little queasy, but they gave me a shot for that and it went away...
Other than that, I'm just really tired...
Due to one of the drugs, I can't have anything cold! No drinks
with ice, no ice cream or frozen yogurt... How does one get through
the summer with no ice cream or cold drinks? LOL
UPDATE: July 28, 2014
No hair loss yet... Still somewhat queasy... Blood sugars are getting better... No fever... CAT scan Thursday... Next treatment starts a week from Friday... :)
UPDATE: August 8, 2014
Well, today I got some great news! My CT results came back clean, as did my blood work! As of this moment, I am cancer free! I know there are no guarantees that I won't have a reoccurrence in the future, but I believe that if I keep doing what I'm doing, my CT scan in 3 months will be clean as well!!
UPDATE: October 14, 2014
I'm going to talk to my oncologist on Thursday to ask if I can stop my chemo treatments... I just can't take living like I live anymore... Begging for money just to keep my head above water is no way to live... If he is dead set against me stopping I will continue, but I don't know how long I can take this anymore... :(
UPDATE: October 17, 2014
I spoke to the doctor yesterday about stopping my treatments, but had chemo today... I have a CT scan on the 30th, chemo on the 31st, then see my oncologist again on Nov 6th... After looking at my scan, we'll discuss stopping... He didn't want to agree with stopping until he had a fresh scan, which I completely understand... I'll keep you all posted...
UPDATE: November 21, 2014
Donations can also be made by email money transfer to tlparker1967@gmail.com or by regular mail to 273 King St. E., Ingersoll, ON N5C 1H4... Thank you again to those who have already donated... It means the world to me!
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