Help Dave Battle Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer

This is Amanda, Dave's only daughter. I am setting up this Caring Bridge site in response to the overwhelming concern and outreach from so many of you who have been asking about my dad. Until yesterday, we really didn’t know the true diagnosis or extent of what Dad is dealing with. Now that we have more information, it’s time to tell the story and provide a place for ongoing updates.

In mid-November, Dave started experiencing abdomen pain and was very tired. When I saw him on December 2nd, I noticed how jaundiced he was; especially in his eyes.

It wasn’t until December 11th that he agreed to go see his primary care doctor. After the initial evaluation, the doctor sent him to the ER in Waconia. The ER conducted blood work and a CT scan. That evening, they let us know there was some type of mass on his pancreas.

You know Dave, he is so hardworking and committed to his job - always taking care of others before himself - it wasn’t until December 18th that he agreed to go to St. Mary's ER in Rochester. They did another CT and the results confirmed a 4 cm mass in the head of the pancreas causing biliary and pancreatic duct obstruction. That same day he was able to have surgery to implant a metal biliary stent on the bile duct to help with the obstruction, get flow to other vital organs and relieve some of his pain. Before leaving the ER on December 19th, we found out that he had Adenocarcinoma pancreatic cancer. We did not know what stage the cancer was and did not know what course of treatment would be available until Dave saw the Oncologist on December 27.

When we went to the Oncologist ​on the 27th, the doctor talked to us about the general approach to treating pancreas adenocarcinoma. The missing piece was learning more about the lesions they saw on his liver. We were asked to return to Rochester the next day for a liver biopsy. After the biopsy was complete, it was a waiting game until the results came in.

In between appointments we have been helping Dave with pain management, trying to gain some weight back and restoring his strength. Josh (Dave's son) came home on leave immediatley from naval base Point Loma California, where he is in the Navy so he could help care for dad during this time. It was really good for us to be with Dave over the holidays and have time to talk about all the important decisions and possibilities that lie ahead. Overall, his spirits are good, while remaining as positive as possible given the circumstances.

We finally got the results of the biopsy and the final diagnosis yesterday, January 2. His cancer is stage 4. Not what we were hoping and praying for. The doctor is really encouraging Dave to consider chemo and tomorrow, January 4th, we go back to Rochester to start the process which includes placing a port preparing for chemo treatments.

Our hope is that Dave can have chemo treatments local, in New Prague. We’ll know more about the frequency and length of chemo after tomorrow’s appointment.

With all of this being said Dave won’t be able to work while he begins chemo and adjusts to this new way of life. He has the kindest soul and is the first jump up and help out when anyone needs it. He's the world’s best dad, papa to his grandson Mason, son, brother, and the list goes on. Words can’t describe how truly amazing he is as a person. It would mean the world to us if we can step up and show him the same support he shows all of us in his time of need.

Go fund me does charge transaction fee so if you would prefer you can drop off any donations directly to Dave, Venmo him at David-Skluzacek-2. Or get in contact with Dave’s daughter Amanda.

I’ll use this site to keep you up to date on next steps and his progress. I’ll make sure he reads any comments you send or will read them to him if needed.

Until next time,

Amanda

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."