By: Judith Murphy

Judith Murphy — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:13:19 +0000

I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November 2010. IIt started with a trip to the ER with what I thought was a really bad kidney infection in April 2010. After a routine CAT scan the radiologist noted two swollen lymph nodes in my abdomen. I was sent to an oncologist who was baffled as to the cause. In June 2010 I was sent for a PET scan which showed no change in the lymph nodes so he felt it might be a slow growing lymphoma. He suggested a lymph node biopsy so had one done from a lymph node in my neck and also a spot on the back of my tongue which were both benign. Had another biopsy done through EBUS on a lymph node near my windpipe which came back as cancer of an unknown origin. Had a colonoscopy that was negative and and endoscope that show nothing. Had another EUS which showed a 2CM tumor at the throat of the pancreas this past November. Meantime I had had no real symptoms and was fine. I did lose about 20 lbs from April to present but I was so uptight about what the outcome might be I didn’t think much of it. I also noticed overeating really bothered me. Now I am told I am sort of an anomoly as I should be very sick or dead after 8 mos. As this was discovered earlier than most, I’m guessing, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of knowledge as to how this will progress. I am 64 years old and smoke. The medical profession advocates chest xrays for smokers but never an EUS. I have no history of pancreatic cancer in my family and I believe it was the smoking. It is now 10 months later and have minor discomfort but am undergoing chemo only to postpone the inevitable. I don’t seem to fit the mortality profile at this point. Was curious as to whether anyone else is like me and to make people aware of the “other” risk of smoking.

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By: Judith Murphy