MEDICAL UPDATE
             Saturday September 6,2014

So many people are asking and praying about my medical condition and some of you know that I spent four (4) days at the Scarborough General Hospital recently. 1    Since my immunity system is compromised a fever could indicate that one of my vital organs are infected and that could be dangerous and they have advised me to go to emergency if my temperature reaches 101◦f.    

Saturday morning September 23 about 6am my temperature rose to 102◦f and Wendy took me to the hospital.     After some routine test I was admitted and kept in isolation.     To make a long story short I saw several specialist including ‘Medical’, ‘Oncology’, and ‘Infections’ and was treated with IV antibiotics which seemed to do nothing to relieve the fever.      In the end they concluded that they could not pin point the source of the fever and that the fever must be coming from the cancer itself.   

I was released from SGH at about 9am on Tuesday August 26 and travelled across town to Toronto Western Hospital for a CT Scan.     This turned out to be highly significant as I met my Doctor at Princes Margaret Hospital on Wednesday, September 3.      Of course we were hoping to hear that the main tumour on the Pancreas as well as the other secondary tumours had shrunk.     That was not to be the case.

Dr. Cook informed us that the Chemotherapy is not working.        In addition, my cancer markers 2  which had consistently declining had now dramatically increased.   The highest they had been in the past was 28,000 but now they were at 39,000 which means the cancer is very active.    In addition there is a sack of fluid forming around my liver which could develop into a significant complication creating pain and blockage.     They are going to keep an eye on it and if necessary drain it if they can.

Pancreatic Cancer is extremely aggressive anyway but in my case it seems to be going into overdrive.        There are a number of complications that are not usual with Pancreatic Cancer but which have developed in my case.

            1.   Losing of the hair.
                   - Which happened shortly after I started Chemo.

            2.   Cancer spreading to the bone.   
                   -   This is not usual and is extremely painful.
  
            3.   Constant Fever
                   - I battle a fever everyday which can leave you feeling sick as when you have     the flu and leaves you feeling very fatigued.  This now must be managed at home using Tylenol.    


                        DRAMATIC CHOICES FOR THE FUTURE

1.  We Have Decided To Cease All Treatment

Since the Chemotherapy is not working Wendy and I have decided to cease all chemo treatment.       They did offer a 2nd tear treatment which would involved putting a Porta-Cath in my shoulder through which they would administer a different kind of Chemotherapy at home once a week.      There is minimum assurances that this treatment would be helpful.   

Both Wendy and I understood that at best this might mean 2 weeks to 2 months of life, likely in palliative care.      Neither one of us were interested in just extending life without quality of life just for the sake of extending life.       We have absolute confidence that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.      As I told the Doctor, I am not afraid of being dead.   I am concerned about the process.       I do not want to just hold on to any kind of life when I know that what is waiting for me is far better, and Wendy has no desire to keep me alive a while longer if it serves no good purpose and just means I suffer longer.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  
If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me. 
Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.  I am hard pressed between the two. 
My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.  
But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.     
(Philippians 121-24)                                                    

2. The Focus Now Is On Managing Pain And Other Symptoms

At this point the focus is on managing the pain that comes with the cancer involving the abdomen as well as the bones, especially in my hips and legs.    This pain can keep me awake at night and make it difficult to walk so the regiment is very aggressive.

3. Manage The Fever

A high fever can appear at any time and the only real management is the use of Tylenol which I find if we catch it early, can be managed. 

                                     PROGNOSIS

We are still asking God to do a miracle and to heal my body.      However, apart from that, my life expectancy now is 0-3 months.       Wendy and I and our family, continue to feel strengthened by your prayers and encouragement.

God continues to raise up people all around the world to pray for us and I am reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul, “as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.” (Philippians 1:20)


On the one hand we continue to trust and ask God for healing so that we might continue to serve Him.       On the other we embrace the wonderful promise of Heaven and prepare should the Lord decide to take me home.    

Thank you again for your encouragement and fervent prayers.
Pastor Rick