Help Catherine recover from cancer. 

Several weeks ago, Catherine Jackson developed abdominal pain after eating. Extensive evaluation was performed  by Austin gastroenterologists that included two endoscopic procedures. A stricture of the bile duct near the pancreas was found. A stent was placed to open the bile duct stricture. Cytology of the stricture showed suspicious cells, consistent with cancer of the bile duct. On November 11, Catherine  underwent major surgery  at St. David’s Medical Center called  a pancreaticoduodenectomy, also known as a Whipple procedure. The first part of the surgery entailed  removing the head of the pancreas, the bile duct, the gallbladder, the duodenum, and a portion of her stomach. The second part of the surgery was the reconstruction - hooking back the remaining part of her pancreas, stomach, and bile duct to her intestine. 

The surgery was successful thanks to Dr. McKenzie and his team. Now we are waiting on the pathology report. This will show the type of tumor and status of surrounding lymph nodes. This will determine her future medical treatment. 

Unfortunately, Catherine’s health insurance has not covered all the mounting expenses, and the ongoing expenses, not to mention her loss of income.  Helping  with this sudden medical hardship can alleviate much of her stress and allow her to focus on her recovery. Please help support and share the fundraiser with others on your social media, so we can broaden the effort as much as possible.