The past 4 months has been an emotional roller coaster. Miles had experienced a lot of discomfort and pain for the first two months after thei diagnosis, but after starting a mild chemotherapy regiment, his symptoms seemed to reverse from 5 bad days, 1 not bad, and the odd good day to 5 pretty good days, 1 not great and one bad. That sudden change got us excited, thinking that maybe the tumours are shrinking or maybe even disappearing. We had no delusions given the seriousness of the diagnosis but we were hoping and praying for a miracle as that was pretty much the only thing that would save Miles. We were anxiously awaiting the upcoming CAT scan, optimistic and confident we would receive some positive news for a change. Our hopes and prayers were dashed when we received the results and Miles was forced to stop all treatments because it was seriously compromising his liver function. The doctors told him he may only have weeks, not months or years we were hoping for. Obviously the news was devastating but we were not going to give up. I began to call some friends I have in the medical industry south of the border and within minutes, I received emails with contacts for some pretty impressive clinical trials. Our hopes were renewed after reading the amazing results from cancer patients that had undergone the trials. We contacted Virginia Piper Cancer Center in Scottsdale and they agreed to consider Miles as a potential recipient for the pancreatic cancer trial. Ironically, we have a friend in Phoenix that is currently undergoing the trial and experiencing some impressive results. Miles was granted an interview which included some diagnostic testing on April 14. This was very exciting and promising news but soon our hopes were once again dashed when the interview was completed and he was told that he would not be candidate because of the multiple cancer sites throughout his body. Although it appeared to be another kick to the guts, the physician he met with informed him he would put together a treatment plan that could extend his life up to 6 years. The tests he had undergone will take 2-3 weeks to process and would be followed up with the recommended treatment plan.
On a positive note, Miles married the love of his life Colleen in the presence of family and close friends on April 11. She has been his rock through all this, accompanying Miles at every step of his dreadful journey. I cannot imagine how Miles would navigate this mine field without her!
We accompanied the newly weds to Phoenix on April 13 to attend his interview with the clinic, followed by a few days of R & R. Overall, Miles has felt pretty good throughout the brief trip and will be flying back to Canada today.
Once again, we would like to thank all the family, friends, physicians, medical staff and total strangers who have come to know Miles since his diagnosis for all the prayers and support. It is comforting to know we are not alone during these difficult times.
On a positive note, Miles married the love of his life Colleen in the presence of family and close friends on April 11. She has been his rock through all this, accompanying Miles at every step of his dreadful journey. I cannot imagine how Miles would navigate this mine field without her!
We accompanied the newly weds to Phoenix on April 13 to attend his interview with the clinic, followed by a few days of R & R. Overall, Miles has felt pretty good throughout the brief trip and will be flying back to Canada today.
Once again, we would like to thank all the family, friends, physicians, medical staff and total strangers who have come to know Miles since his diagnosis for all the prayers and support. It is comforting to know we are not alone during these difficult times.
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