Jose's Pancreatic Cancer Journey Plan A

At 46 years old, when you're given news of a disease so violent and aggressive as pancreatic cancer, you definitely hit it swinging- and that's exactly what Jose has been doing.

 

Jose's symptoms started about 3 years ago. We changed his diet, thinking it was some kind of food allergy. We removed some nuts, most dairy and went gluten-free, all with little change to the digestive issues he was experiencing. This type of cancer is fast-moving and aggressive- which is why it is so dangerous. Most patients don't make it past 3 years after diagnosis. Jose's cancer marker screening from last year came out normal, which gives us alot of hope!!

 

This cancer was not even on the radar of Jose's doctors as he has no family medical history of pancreatic cancer, and his age doesn't put him in the category for screening. Thanks to a dear friend in the medical field who suggested pancreatic distress, Jose requested testing. Jose was diagnosed with Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer.

 

Jose is a born fighter. He was born 3 months early, suffered heart failure, and needed 13 blood transfusions. He survived and thrived. He's had testicular cancer, (why he has his cancer markers checked) collapsed lungs, bell's palsy, gout and has had 10 blood clots. Each time, coming out stronger and even more of a fighter. He's broken numerous statistics and will continue to do so as he's determined to defeat this disease.

 

His journey has just started, and because he is young and healthy he has been able to receive the most aggressive on the body chemo therapy. The objective of chemo is to kill any cancer cells before they spread to other organs and hopefully shrink -or at least stop the growth of the cancer that is attacking his pancreas and a nearby lymph node. This chemo treatment will be a 3-4 month process. Should the chemo not be effective, the doctors will try direct radiation to try and shrink it. This is Plan A. Ultimately the goal here is to get the current cancer under control enough that Jose can have surgery to remove the infected parts of his body.

 

Should this treatment not work, Plan B would be to travel to Mexico to the Hino Medical Center. This facility specializes in the newest Pluripotent Stem Cell treatment as well as full body and mind therapy. They have had amazing results in their research and their success rates for 100% remission are promising. This will be a 3 month long process. 

 

Plan C would be to travel to Memorial Sloan Kellering Cancer Center in New York. This is one of the countries leading facilities for pancreatic cancer research and trials. This will be a 5 week process. A medical trial with experimental research is the last on our fight plan -although this is not by any means the end. Jose will continue fighting no matter what, as of right now- this is the game plan.

 

Cancer treatment requires many specialists and advanced body scans that our insurance doesn't pay 100% of. Over the course of these treatments, financial support will be needed. Our closest family & many friends have come to aid us emotionally and financially. However, help is still going to be needed to ensure no possible treatment will be turned away due to the inability to pay for it. Every dollar of the donation will be used to ensure Jose has every chance of every possible treatment for this aggressive cancer despite the extraordinary cost. Any level of donation is much appreciated. With the help of our family, friends and community- we can be the support Jose will need to once again-SMASH THE ODDS AND BEAT THIS CANCER.