A Not-So Good Update For Today
I had a post almost halfway done for today by Wednesday night. I had planned to finish it on Thursday night and have it up here today (Friday). But sometimes life has other plans.
When my wife, Susan, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer back in early July, we made the decision to publicly share it immediately. I said then that there was no way I could keep up the Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule that I had been maintaining for over eleven years. As it turns out, about the only time I’ve missed throughout this time was when we went to the Mayo Clinic at the end of October. Well, today will be one of those days.
Thursday morning, Susan got the call from the Mayo Clinic that we didn’t want. They told her that she is no longer a candidate for the radical surgery that would have removed the tumor completely. It’s not for the reasons you would think – all scans show that there has been no spread and the tumor is still contained within the pancreas. All of her blood work and all other reports are good. We knew that there was a lot of involvement with surrounding blood vessels that was going to make surgery more difficult, but we were still hopeful she would have surgery sometime in February.
Yesterday’s phone call ended that hope. While everything still looks as good as it possibly could regarding her tumor, the images from the laparoscopic procedure she had at the Mayo Clinic indicated that her liver had been severely damaged by the chemo – to the point that they said she would not survive the fourteen-hour surgery.
So now we look to Plan B. We know what that is, but it’s too involved to get into here. It is something called the NanoKnife, if you want to google it. We are both still in good spirits and still have hope. But to say we are taking this in stride would be a stretch. In all honesty, I was in no frame of mind to finish my post last night. Most likely, I will finish it over the weekend and post it here on Monday.
Thanks for your patience, your understanding and please continue your prayers for Susan.
George Phillips
Oilpressure 
November 20, 2020 at 6:11 am
You and Susan have my continuing prayers. Onward to Plan B!
November 20, 2020 at 6:22 am
Continued prayers of course. There have been some clear successes with Nano Knife, so I hope that is a great outcome.
November 20, 2020 at 6:46 am
Tough news. Continuing to send positive energy to both of you. Have to think Plan B will work.
November 20, 2020 at 7:29 am
So sorry to hear that her surgery has been canceled. You can count on continuing prayers. All the best, keep fighting.
November 20, 2020 at 8:14 am
Thank you for sharing this very personal information with us, I am sure it’s not easy to do. Although most of us never met we still feel a kinship with your family . We continue to wish Susan and you all the best in this fight , Susan our thoughts are with you
November 20, 2020 at 8:20 am
Praying for you and Susan George.
November 21, 2020 at 3:53 am
Absolutely
November 20, 2020 at 8:48 am
We love you guys and will continue to pray for you.
November 20, 2020 at 11:32 am
God bless. Praying for you both.
November 20, 2020 at 11:46 am
Susan & George, continued prayers heading your way as this long difficult journey continues. I know it’s not the news you were hoping to hear. Praying that it points you in a better long term direction. God bless.
November 20, 2020 at 2:01 pm
Often Plan B proves to the successful plan. I know all of us here are expecting that to be the case for both of you now.
November 20, 2020 at 7:01 pm
Susan & George – both of you are in my thoughts as always. I can only wish you the best through this difficult time.
November 21, 2020 at 4:16 pm
Well, damn. That is so disappointing. On to Plan B. We all wish you the very best in this new plan of attack. Bless you both.
November 21, 2020 at 7:27 pm
Prayers continue, George and Susan. Always.
November 21, 2020 at 10:37 pm
I’m so sorry to hear that Plan A isn’t going to work out, but I am encouraged to hear that Plan B has some real potential. I’ll continue to be thinking about both of you every day.
November 22, 2020 at 10:14 am
George, all I can do for the both of you is pray. But rest assured that I will do.
November 22, 2020 at 5:19 pm
I pray that God would show His goodness to you and to Susan and to all of us who share your concern.
November 24, 2020 at 9:22 am
So very sorry to hear this sad news. Words are always hard to gather at times like this. Your strength and convictions and knowing you have so many friends that you can lean on for support, hopefully will help. Please stay safe and stay strong.