Donald’s Story
I am a Roman Catholic Priest for 41 years and presently the Rector of St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh, PA. Outside of a bout with acute pancreatitis and a pancreatic pseudo cyst caused by gallstones in 1998, I had been relatively healthy. In January of 2006 I began experiencing pain and began five months of off and on pain, testing and hospitalization. In late May, through an endoscopic sonogram I was diagnosed with a probably malignant pancreatic tumor. In June 2006 I had Whipple surgery performed by Dr. Ken Lee at UPMC Presbyterian. This surgery lasted 15 hours since they discovered a second tumor wrapped around my vein to the intestine and two lymph glands affected. I was hospitalized until mid August, sent home with a feeding tube (until mid Sept.) and began 28 days of radiation and flouricil in mid Sept. The following January I underwent nine weeks of Chemo (gencidibine) . I have been back to full time work since July of 2007, have regular check ups and MRIs, have gained back 50 pounds, take the pancreatic enzymes (Creon 20) and have felt very well. In a few weeks I will celebrate my 4th anniversary of diagnosis and the Whipple. I have been blessed with great doctors, many supportive friends and family members, many prayers and a good outlook. When called on I speak with other cancer patients trying to support them and pray for all of us –survivors and patients daily. It was all a bit of hell, but I believe I am stronger for it and appreciate life even more. God bless us all and bless all who care for us!
Thank you for your testimony. I enjoyed reading it and knowing that you are doing just fine.
My mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on may 15th 2010. Thank you so much for your story I know there is hope but I don’t hear anything positive and its nice to know that you are a survivor and that you are such a wonderful example thank you so much. I will have my mom read your story she could use something positive right now. Thanks for being an inspiration god bless.
Dear Father,
Thank you so much for sharing your story of hope and positive results. I Would love to meet you some day in Pittsburgh. When do you say Mass?
Father, My daughter has recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer stage 4,they are saying maybe 3 months to a year…she is going to start chemo on this next Tuesday Aug.17th,I am praying for a miracle and want so much to help her remain positive….I am not sure how to do this ..I read your story tonight, it really helped.How do I help her? I would appreciate any help you could give me….God bless you for sharing your message of hope ……… kathie
Thank you for your sharing . I am a pastor and I have had chronic
pancreatatis for almost 21 year it seems there is little help out
there . I have had every test possible and even pain blocks but
nothing has stopped the pain . Most doctors want to say you use
alcohol ,I do not use it . The last doctors visit I had the doctor gave me antidepressants which I could not take . Then after futher contack he says there is nothing else he knows to do . I am now
using a very low dose of pain medication and just keeping on
doing the best I can with the pain . God has kept me pastoring
with the pain going on 21 years
I feel for all of you, as I share this disease too. Coping with the fact that you will never feel “normal” again is the biggie. It’s important to redefine “normal” and make the most of your good days. You may no longer be healthy, but you can be well. It’s important to have a good support system of family, friends, and others that share this and “know’ what you are going through. Unfortunately, there are few doctors that truly understand this disease and most of the data out there is very outdated. It’s up to us to teach from our experiences. I started a web support group and have invited in members of the medical community as well as those that suffer from this themselves and their caregivers. It is my effort to do what I can and fulfill my God given mission to help others get through this and educate those that want to learn. Continue to educate yourselves because, “What doesn’t kill you, makes you Smarter!” I’m not sure if it’s allowed to include the link to the support group here, but I will include it if anyone is interested.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Pancreatitis_ARayofHope/