March 29

To All,

Hoping everyone is enjoying their Friday, be it Good Friday or the 4th day of Passover.

Unfortunately the Nepean Raiders lost Wednesday night 5-0 but they will be back with a vengeance tomorrow night.

I had a very positive conversation with Dr. Hartley Stern on Wednesday.
He told me that Dr. Metrakis is one of the best.
So, I am truly in good hands.

I have been on insulin since Wednesday afternoon and hopefully my sugars will go down.

I have received so many wonderful correspondence over the last week from Family and Friends.
I am truly blessed.

Thank you to all.

Enjoy the rest of your long weekend.

All the very best,

Lots of love,

Arnie.

March 27

To All,

Today was a good day.

My Endoscopic Ultrasound is scheduled now for April 2nd at 8:00am earlier in the day.
Liz and I will be off to Montreal Monday afternoon.
Hopefully my ERCP will follow shortly there after.

Both Doctor Metrakis and Dr. Waschke have my MRI and CT scan CDs, thanks  to Jeff and Louis.

I had an appointment with Dr. Tobin today and he has gotten me on insulin, so now I can work on getting my sugars down.

Many thanks to everyone for their good wishes and support.
It is greatly appreciated.

Enjoy your long weekend,

All the very best,

Arnie.

March 26

To all,

I have been contacted by the Montreal General Hospital, Dept. of
Gastroenterology for an Endoscopic Ultrasound on Tuesday April 2nd.
I will then have an ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography - A diagnostic procedure to examine the liver, bile ducts and pancreas) either April 3rd or 4th.

The testing is in motion and hopefully I will have my procedure soon by
Dr. Metrakis.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Your strength will be my strength in overcoming this challenge.

All the very best,

Arnie.

March 24

First and foremost, I love you and I know you love me.

I know you care about me and worry about me.
I know you want what is best for me.

I thank you for that.

This is quite the emotional time for me and I know for everyone around me.
Now, is when I need to be emotionally strong.

God has given me a challenge and I am up for it. My body is in God's hands, my head is in my hands.
My mental health will contribute to 90% of my ability to be successful in this challenge.

It is very hard for me to write this and that is why I can only say it once.

For me, I need people around me who are strong and provide me positive vibes.
I do not need any "I am sorry" discussions. I know already you are.
I know not everyone can be this way and that is okay but that is what I need.

I have asked Liz to be my spokesperson as she has much more emotional strength than I have to deliver this message.

I have a tumour on my pancreas.The tumour is causing blockage to my bile duct. That is why I am jaundice, yellow skin.
It is operable but needs a specialist as it is close to a major blood vessel.

Presently arrangements are being made by Dr. Mimeault, a pancreas specialist at The Ottawa Hospital with Dr. Ian McGillvary of the Toronto Hospital.
Dr. Mimeault has been great and Dr. Kitts has been remarkably supportive.
I am in good hands.

My diabetes does not help the situation, so I will probably start on insulin soon to help keep my sugar count down.

I know I can meet this challenge head on as the medical system is working for me, but to do so I need  everyone's support and positive attitude.

There is a saying that a parent is as happy as his or hers least happy child.
I believe this applies to the positive attitude with the people that surround you.

Please think positive, continue to work hard and be successful and happy.
Your success and happiness will then be my success and happiness and will help me immensely in  overcoming this challenge.

I need to be positive so please be positive for me.

I am looking forward to many happy times together.

Thank you for your love and concern,

Love you,

Arnie.

My Journey of Becoming a Champion of Cancer

This blog is a chronicle of the journey of my battle with Pancreatic Cancer since being diagnosed on March 21st.

I am not looking to survive cancer, as surviving is giving cancer too much respect.

My goal, which I will achieve with the loving and caring support and strength from Family and Friends, is to beat cancer.

I want to be a Champion of Cancer and follow the footsteps of the many Champions of Cancer who have shown how one's inner strength and the strength of Family and Friends are such an integral part of the success of being a Champion.

In writing this blog, I hope to provide inspiration for others and for others to provide me with added inspiration.

I hope you will enjoy.

Arnie Vered