
Help Terri Overcome Pancreatic Cancer
Donation protected
Hello all!
There is some news I would like to share with you. I was recently diagnosis with pancreatic cancer a few weeks ago. What I thought was gallbladder issues turned more serious on March 10, 2025. I had vague GI symptoms starting mid-January went to my primary care provider in February some preliminary testing was performed that came back normal. Most of you are probably aware I am Registered Nurse I talked to my friends and colleagues, and everyone said it's your gallbladder, but not all of my symptoms added up. The day of March 10 started like any other day I saw my patients in their homes but by mid-day I noticed my eyes looked slightly jaundice (yellow) in the car mirror. I went into the office asked my nurse manager to take a look and she agreed. I ran into another team member nurse he agreed I was jaundice. I called my primary care provider on the way home she was taking too long to get back with me. So, I went home grabbed a bag and went straight to the ER. I was admitted my liver enzymes were elevated and CT scan performed. The next morning GI providers came in and ordered an ERCP. The ERCP showed my bile duct was blocked and a stent was placed. My GI MD provider stated it looked like cancer, and he took a biopsy which came back positive for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. I had my first chemo treatment on March 27. My treatment team is awesome it doesn't usually work this fast!
Some of you may not be aware but my father, Ronald Lynch, passed away of pancreatic cancer in Sept 2020 at the age of 81. My physicians told me this is mostly likely genetic due to my current age of 52 almost 53 on April 7. This was a huge shock to my family my oldest son, Blake turns 27 next month and my youngest son, Jacob, is 25. My oldest son lives with his significant other in his own home not far. My youngest son Jacob lives with me and my sister, Tonya. I am the primary " bread winner" of my family. Tonya and Jacob do provide some financial support. Jacob was planning on starting college classes again this Summer, but we have now decided to start in the Fall. My oncologist and surgeon both agree this is early pancreatic cancer and it is resectable my goal is curative at this point which is rare with pancreatic cancer. This chemo regimen is not easy it will be every 2 weeks for 6 months total. I will require GI surgery within the next 3-6 months the surgery is called a Whipple Procedure. Luckily my work has agreed to change my role to a work at home with special accommodations (telework). I plan on continuing to work at home answering the phones for Home Based Primary Care and providing assistance to other RN Case Managers telephonically.
I would like to continue to work as much as possible some of you know my husband, Blaine, passed away in 2013 of Parkinson's disease with Dementia leaving me a widow. My insurance is provided through my work.
I am humbling asking for your financial support in any way possible but please don't cut yourself short. My chemo treatments are expensive, I have an out of pocket $ 15,000 deductible that must be met before insurance will pay. I plan to use the donations for my out-of-pocket deductible, co-pays for office visits, medications, lost wages and to be more comfortable as I battle pancreatic cancer.
Kind words, prayers, well wishes are always welcomed along with any donations are most kindly appreciated!
Sending you all positive, warm, loving vibes and blessings!
Thank you,
Terri
Co-organizers (1)

Teresa Coomer
Organizer
Indianapolis, IN

Tonya Lynch-Strahl
Co-organizer