Leslie Madison (Pancreatic Cancer Warrior)
Donation protected
9/23/21 update
9/23/21 update: please see current updated on my fb support page (is a private group, but if you interested in suport me with this battle, please ask to join.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/226041172674173/?ref=share
Update: i had my consult in Milwaukee and they decided that i needed the stent replaced, so that was scheduled for the following Monday. Sunday night Tim drove me to my niece's where i was going to spend the night and go in for the stent replacement. However, upon arriving at my niece's , Tim noticed i felt warm and contacted the Dr. I was immediately admitted. My white blood cell count was over 17k. Turns out all the pain was from an infected gallbladder (an antibiotic resistant bacteria)that was brushed aside once the mass on my pancreas was discovered. They tried to do the stent exchange but the inflammation was so severe they couldn't even see the stent. The decision was made to try again in a couple days, start me on 3 different antibiotics. Wednesday, oh Wednesday. They decided to put a drain into my gallbladder which was severely infected. The conscious sedation didn't work and it was the most horrendous experience of my life. Pain 10/10 my body attempted to flee and they had to hold me down to suture the drain in. I was told the drain would have to stay in 6-8 weeks. I hate it. It's all a bit fuzzy for me now, but at some point the biopsies cane back malignant. So the plan is get a portacath on Monday, first chemo on Tuesday. Tim will be by my side through all of this. I'm very depressed and at times i want to just give up. In about 6 months i will have a Whipple procedure, where the pancreas, gallbladder, duodenum and part of the stomach will be removed. The surgery is high risk 50% chance of complications. God help me through this. Please pray for me. Oh, did i mention that the drain is going to be my constant companion until surgery? I don't like it but if it keeps me from that kind of pain again, then it's needed.
In February 2021, Leslie began having abdominal pain. Dr suggested a probiotic Florajen three times a day. She also requested an EGD and colonoscopy due to a part history of gastritis. The pain persisted and she went to the ER where they did labs, an ultrasound and a CT. The CT showed a mass in the pancreas and suggested an MRI. Lipase was normal at 188.
The EGD and colonoscopy showed multiple polyps in the stomach which were biopsied and tested negative for Barret's cells,
The MRI showed a 2 x3 x4 cm mass in the pancreatic head involving the common bile duct and surrounding lymph nodes. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy was suggested.
The EUS with fine needle biopsy was performed with 4 specimens.the results of which were non-malignant and an ERCP was scheduled for a stent placement in the common bile duct. The Dr also checked tumor markers which were elevated.
On April 8th. An ERCP was performed with more biopsies for a second opinion and a metal stent was placed in the common bile duct. Those biopsies also resulted non-malignant. However, a referral was made to a surgical oncologist for treatment options.
After having 3 anesthetic events in less than 2 weeks was very very hard on Leslie's body and with her history of A-Flutter with an implanted loop recorder and impending pacemaker placement, she was kept overnight due to pain issues. There was alot of discussion of pancreatitis, but no official diagnosis was made. The surgical oncologist discussed surgical treatment of a Whipple procedure, but it was determined at this time would not be appropriate. She also ordered a PET scan to look further for cancerous indications, no active metastatic disease was found. Lipase was 43.
Pain being an issue, was discussed with the GI specialist since Leslie had been unable to advance her diet past liquids without inducing more pain of what seemed to be a pancreatitis attack. The use of Creon or Zenpep was also suggested.
Leslie has since that time been in almost constant pain and been on Percocet and then vicodin for pain around the clock. She was seen at the ER most recently on Saturday for dehydration where they hydrated with IV fluids with pain and nausea control.
Creon is an oral pancreatic enzyme that replaces those that the pancreas is unable to make. When arriving at the pharmacy, she learned that the prescription required a prior authorization and without it was over $2000/mo out of pocket. Not filled due to cost. Discussion was resumed about the Creon and even after the authorization the cost was still $100/mo.
Between the cost of medications, a continuous glucose monitor for diabetes, the diagnostic tests and upcoming procedures to continue diagnosis plus the pacemaker placement in the near future for cardiac pauses. She is setting up this fund to help with these expenses. If you could find it in your heart and wallet, even $20 would be helpful and so much appreciated and let her concentrate on healing instead of finances.
Thank you all.
9/23/21 update: please see current updated on my fb support page (is a private group, but if you interested in suport me with this battle, please ask to join.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/226041172674173/?ref=share
Update: i had my consult in Milwaukee and they decided that i needed the stent replaced, so that was scheduled for the following Monday. Sunday night Tim drove me to my niece's where i was going to spend the night and go in for the stent replacement. However, upon arriving at my niece's , Tim noticed i felt warm and contacted the Dr. I was immediately admitted. My white blood cell count was over 17k. Turns out all the pain was from an infected gallbladder (an antibiotic resistant bacteria)that was brushed aside once the mass on my pancreas was discovered. They tried to do the stent exchange but the inflammation was so severe they couldn't even see the stent. The decision was made to try again in a couple days, start me on 3 different antibiotics. Wednesday, oh Wednesday. They decided to put a drain into my gallbladder which was severely infected. The conscious sedation didn't work and it was the most horrendous experience of my life. Pain 10/10 my body attempted to flee and they had to hold me down to suture the drain in. I was told the drain would have to stay in 6-8 weeks. I hate it. It's all a bit fuzzy for me now, but at some point the biopsies cane back malignant. So the plan is get a portacath on Monday, first chemo on Tuesday. Tim will be by my side through all of this. I'm very depressed and at times i want to just give up. In about 6 months i will have a Whipple procedure, where the pancreas, gallbladder, duodenum and part of the stomach will be removed. The surgery is high risk 50% chance of complications. God help me through this. Please pray for me. Oh, did i mention that the drain is going to be my constant companion until surgery? I don't like it but if it keeps me from that kind of pain again, then it's needed.
In February 2021, Leslie began having abdominal pain. Dr suggested a probiotic Florajen three times a day. She also requested an EGD and colonoscopy due to a part history of gastritis. The pain persisted and she went to the ER where they did labs, an ultrasound and a CT. The CT showed a mass in the pancreas and suggested an MRI. Lipase was normal at 188.
The EGD and colonoscopy showed multiple polyps in the stomach which were biopsied and tested negative for Barret's cells,
The MRI showed a 2 x3 x4 cm mass in the pancreatic head involving the common bile duct and surrounding lymph nodes. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy was suggested.
The EUS with fine needle biopsy was performed with 4 specimens.the results of which were non-malignant and an ERCP was scheduled for a stent placement in the common bile duct. The Dr also checked tumor markers which were elevated.
On April 8th. An ERCP was performed with more biopsies for a second opinion and a metal stent was placed in the common bile duct. Those biopsies also resulted non-malignant. However, a referral was made to a surgical oncologist for treatment options.
After having 3 anesthetic events in less than 2 weeks was very very hard on Leslie's body and with her history of A-Flutter with an implanted loop recorder and impending pacemaker placement, she was kept overnight due to pain issues. There was alot of discussion of pancreatitis, but no official diagnosis was made. The surgical oncologist discussed surgical treatment of a Whipple procedure, but it was determined at this time would not be appropriate. She also ordered a PET scan to look further for cancerous indications, no active metastatic disease was found. Lipase was 43.
Pain being an issue, was discussed with the GI specialist since Leslie had been unable to advance her diet past liquids without inducing more pain of what seemed to be a pancreatitis attack. The use of Creon or Zenpep was also suggested.
Leslie has since that time been in almost constant pain and been on Percocet and then vicodin for pain around the clock. She was seen at the ER most recently on Saturday for dehydration where they hydrated with IV fluids with pain and nausea control.
Creon is an oral pancreatic enzyme that replaces those that the pancreas is unable to make. When arriving at the pharmacy, she learned that the prescription required a prior authorization and without it was over $2000/mo out of pocket. Not filled due to cost. Discussion was resumed about the Creon and even after the authorization the cost was still $100/mo.
Between the cost of medications, a continuous glucose monitor for diabetes, the diagnostic tests and upcoming procedures to continue diagnosis plus the pacemaker placement in the near future for cardiac pauses. She is setting up this fund to help with these expenses. If you could find it in your heart and wallet, even $20 would be helpful and so much appreciated and let her concentrate on healing instead of finances.
Thank you all.
Co-organizers (3)
Leslie Madison
Organizer
Green Bay, WI
Timothy Madison
Beneficiary
Tracy Sperandio
Co-organizer