Dear Family & Friends,
It's been a little over three years since I was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After going through the Whipple surgery and twelve rounds of chemo things seemed to be looking up. I was getting along with my life, trying to get back to a sense of normalcy while dealing with a lot of bad thoughts in the back of my mind. Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is a bitch. Although you hope that you have beat the odds, pancreatic cancer has a way of lurking in the background just waiting to make a reappearance.
In October of 2023, my CT scan and bloodwork showed evidence of a recurrence. Almost two years after my initial diagnosis and hoping I was cancer free, it was the news we had been dreading. My oncologist decided to try a somewhat experimental drug known as a MEK inhibitor as my tumor has a rare mutation. Initially it showed some positive results but after six months of dealing with some rather irritating side effects it seemed the drug had hit a plateau. My CT scans were showing signs of activity and there were increasing numbers in my bloodwork. We ventured down the road of clinical trials and found one that looked promising which I seemed to be a candidate for. At the last minute, as I was signing the twenty-five page release form, I was informed the experimental drug I had been taking was an exclusionary item and the drug company sponsoring the trial declined my eligibility. It's quite a game that these drug companies play with people that are fighting for their life, but that's another story.
After speaking with my oncologist, we decided the best treatment plan going forward was radiation and chemo. In October of 2024 I started twenty-eight rounds of radiation, which ended just before Thanksgiving, and two different chemo drugs from what I had taken previously. Although the radiation has ended, I will continue with the chemo as long as it's showing positive results and I can handle the side effects. This past year has been the toughest of my life and I now have a better understanding of what living with cancer really means. I always wondered how cancer patients could chose to end treatment when it appeared that nothing was working and the end was imminent. I always thought that trying something was better than nothing but now I realize that there is a quality of life that also needs to be considered. Don't get me wrong, I am in this fight to win it and I will give it everything I have until I breathe my last breath, but I am going to enjoy the time I have remaining with the zest and exuberance as I have always lived.
Now that you have heard my story, I am asking for your help. The fact is, there is no cure for pancreatic cancer, there is only hope. Hope that one day with the support of people like you and the thousands of doctors, researchers and caregivers a cure will be found for me and over a half million people like me fighting this dreadful disease.
This year on Saturday, April 26th, the ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer, PanCan PurlpeStride will be taking place across the nation to raise funds to help cure this disease. In DC, it's being held at Freedom Plaza. Last year I was not able to join the walk as we were in California enjoying the wine county. This year I do plan on walking so if you're in the area with nothing to do and would like to join, we would love to have you walk with us.
I've set an ambitious fundraising goal and need your donations! A gift of any size will help patients and families facing a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Let's show everyone impacted by pancreatic cancer that we're fighting for them.
Thank you for supporting my PanCan PurpleStride fundraiser! I want to make the biggest impact on the lives of pancreatic patients and I need your help to do it! Please click on the link provided on my homepage to donate.
I am so grateful for your support!
Sincerely,
Dave