My sister, Cheryl Drain, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. I have setup this GoFundMe to raise funds for the sole purpose of helping her check items off her bucket list.
I’d like to share the story with you on how she got here.
Easter 2021: Cheryl had been experiencing pain, vomiting, and weight loss that could not be attributed to a specific ailment at the time. She went to the ER because the pain had become unbearable and was admitted for testing. At that time, she was diagnosed with Pancreatitis.
Over the next few weeks, she continued to lose weight, she was unable to eat anything without excruciating pain, and she only became sicker. With no pain relief in sight, she would make additional trips to the ER. During one of those trips, her pancreas was so swollen that they were unable see what was going on and would have to wait for the swelling to go down, so they sent her home. Within a matter of days she returns to the ER and is admitted. The swelling in her pancreas is still so severe it is preventing the necessary tests. A PA in the hospital orders an endoscopy with a camera to check the pancreas, but that test will not be done for another month while the swelling goes down.
Early June 2021: The swelling in Cheryl’s pancreas has finally subsided to a point that allows the endoscopy to be done. During the test, they see two spots on her pancreas and take a biopsy. Now she waits for the test results.
Mid June 2021: While waiting for the test results Cheryl returns to the ER with pain that is, in her words, “the worst pain I have ever experienced. This is even worse than childbirth.” She is now admitted to the hospital for pain management. A CAT scan is ordered where the doctors now see two spots on Cheryl’s liver. Another endoscopy with camera is scheduled. At that time, a gastroenterologist takes a biopsy of the spots on the liver, per the oncologist’s order.
June 16, 2021: A Day that Cheryl will never forget. The oncologist came to her hospital room to share the biopsy results.
It was pancreatic cancer.
She is sent home a few days later and finally given medication to help with the pain.
End of June 2021: Cheryl receives a call from the oncologist and an appointment is scheduled the following day.
Oncologist: “The spots on your liver came back as part of the pancreatic cancer.”
Cheryl: “What stage am I in?”
Oncologist: “When the cancer spreads, that means you’re at Stage 4.”
Cheryl: “How much time do I have?”
Oncologist: “We have to take it one day at a time and see how you react to treatment.”
The oncologist lays out this plan: Cancer cells will be sent off for next generation sequence mutation and heredity testing. This will give them information that will allow her treatment to be customized to her specific type of cancer. A port will be put in early July 2021 with chemo starting a week later. A palliative team will work on the best quality of life through diet, pain management, emotional support, support groups, and clinical trials. Cheryl is open to trying any clinical trial they have. A CAT scan was done the next day on the upper part of her body, to this point it has only been completed from her stomach to groin region. These results have not come back yet.
A little bit of history: Cheryl has spent the last year dealing with a diagnosis of diabetes, high cholesterol, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome and excruciating neuropathy in her feet.
The oncologist has advised her that the chemo for her type of cancer has a chance worsening her neuropathy. She will likely lose her hair, a side effect that terrifies her and one which we pray does not happen. She will continue to suffer from pain that is unfathomable. Her diabetes has been impacted to the point of her numbers being so high and off the charts she now requires insulin. Her medications are already making her sick. As I type this, she is home, ill, and unable to leave her bed.
So why are we here?
Upon receiving her Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer diagnosis, Cheryl shared with her doctor, “I am going to Vegas!” He said, “Ok!” Now we have to come together and make that happen for her! We want Cheryl to check off any bucket list items she wants, but she has been very clear, this is at the top of the list! It looks like we will make this happen over Labor Day 2021.
Thank you for reading Cheryl’s story.
If you feel so inclined and you have the means, please donate. All funds will go directly to Cheryl. If you can, please share this post. If you are the praying type, please pray for Cheryl.
I will keep you updated as new information becomes available.
Love,
Cindy