Derrick D Allen Pancreas Cancer
Donation protected
Please read Derrick's story:
In May 2020, I was laid off from Monona Catering at the Monona Terrace due to Covid-19. My partner, LaToya, and I were just coming to grips with Covid-19 and planning our store run for supplies when I was hit with an unknown stomach pain. LaToya took me to the ER. I was told after 9 hours that it was stomach ulcers. I took medication for one month for what we thought were ulcers but the medication just masked the truth. I called my regular doctor but to my surprise he retired two weeks earlier. So I had to get established with someone new and I met with my new primary care doctor on a Tuesday. I was able to tell him what was going on with my body, thankfully he listened to my every word. He said that he was going to put in an order for some blood work because he didn't think it was ulcers. He called me back on Friday with concerns about my test results and said I needed to go to the UW Hospital. When I got to the UW, I was told that I had to undergo a colonoscopy (something I have never done in 42 years of life).
Three days later I was hit with the same pain, yet this time I also had a fever. I went back to the UW ER, unfortunately when they took my temperature it was to high. The doctor thought it was a blood infection so from there I was admitted into the hospital. The next day I was sent to do a CT scan and liver biopsy . The radiologist who reviewed the results noticed something else in the corner of the images and sent me for another scan.
Still with no clear understanding of what was going on, I was admitted to the hospital for a week. My doctor called me on Friday at 3:30pm to tell me that the radiologist is concerned about what they saw. In July 2020, LaToya and I went to see the cancer doctor who told me I have a tumor on my Pancreas and it is STAGE 4 CANCER.
Sadly, the tumor is pushing on my bowel and causing my bowels to be restricted. I AM IN SHOCK! The world seems to be collapsing around me and for the first time I can’t find the words to tell LaToya what’s going on. My world has stopped, I am pearlized in shock.
Furthermore, In August of 2020 the next stop was to The UW Carbone Cancer Center. I am being told my tumor is inoperable, but I'm not ready to give up. I still have so much living to do. I'm not ready to leave behind LaToya, my children, or my family and friends.
I’ve started talking to my doctor and asking for recommendations. A good friend of mine has recently been treated for cancer and his scans came back with no evidence of disease so I have asked him what to do. Without hesitating, he told me to change my eating habits. LaToya helped me change my diet immediately.
Then, I met my care team, and I have been impressed from the start. Each person I meet is so caring, attentive, and intelligent. After completing tests and scans, I met with my Medical Oncologist. He spent a long time telling me about my cancer and the treatment options available to me. I got emotional just being empowered with knowledge specific to me and my cancer.
My doctor at UW said to me, “You have cancer, and it is going to give me a fight.. But together we can formulate a plan. I want to help you fight the cancer, and I want you to have hope.” LaToya held my hand, and I knew in that moment that I had to fight!
I decide to fight with the help of meditation,La Toya gave me a gift in the form of a Tibetan singing bowl and prayer beads to get me through the day.
My doctor has put me on a clinical trial. As part of the treatment, a stent may still need to be placed. My body is experiencing pain, nausea, fatigue but hopefully I keep telling myself things can't get worse. This is just the start of my difficult journey. The gastroenterologist has suggested I have an operation that he hoped would remedy some of my issues. I understand now that my mission is to bring awareness about this horrible disease.I need all of your prayers so that my journey will be successful.
In May 2020, I was laid off from Monona Catering at the Monona Terrace due to Covid-19. My partner, LaToya, and I were just coming to grips with Covid-19 and planning our store run for supplies when I was hit with an unknown stomach pain. LaToya took me to the ER. I was told after 9 hours that it was stomach ulcers. I took medication for one month for what we thought were ulcers but the medication just masked the truth. I called my regular doctor but to my surprise he retired two weeks earlier. So I had to get established with someone new and I met with my new primary care doctor on a Tuesday. I was able to tell him what was going on with my body, thankfully he listened to my every word. He said that he was going to put in an order for some blood work because he didn't think it was ulcers. He called me back on Friday with concerns about my test results and said I needed to go to the UW Hospital. When I got to the UW, I was told that I had to undergo a colonoscopy (something I have never done in 42 years of life).
Three days later I was hit with the same pain, yet this time I also had a fever. I went back to the UW ER, unfortunately when they took my temperature it was to high. The doctor thought it was a blood infection so from there I was admitted into the hospital. The next day I was sent to do a CT scan and liver biopsy . The radiologist who reviewed the results noticed something else in the corner of the images and sent me for another scan.
Still with no clear understanding of what was going on, I was admitted to the hospital for a week. My doctor called me on Friday at 3:30pm to tell me that the radiologist is concerned about what they saw. In July 2020, LaToya and I went to see the cancer doctor who told me I have a tumor on my Pancreas and it is STAGE 4 CANCER.
Sadly, the tumor is pushing on my bowel and causing my bowels to be restricted. I AM IN SHOCK! The world seems to be collapsing around me and for the first time I can’t find the words to tell LaToya what’s going on. My world has stopped, I am pearlized in shock.
Furthermore, In August of 2020 the next stop was to The UW Carbone Cancer Center. I am being told my tumor is inoperable, but I'm not ready to give up. I still have so much living to do. I'm not ready to leave behind LaToya, my children, or my family and friends.
I’ve started talking to my doctor and asking for recommendations. A good friend of mine has recently been treated for cancer and his scans came back with no evidence of disease so I have asked him what to do. Without hesitating, he told me to change my eating habits. LaToya helped me change my diet immediately.
Then, I met my care team, and I have been impressed from the start. Each person I meet is so caring, attentive, and intelligent. After completing tests and scans, I met with my Medical Oncologist. He spent a long time telling me about my cancer and the treatment options available to me. I got emotional just being empowered with knowledge specific to me and my cancer.
My doctor at UW said to me, “You have cancer, and it is going to give me a fight.. But together we can formulate a plan. I want to help you fight the cancer, and I want you to have hope.” LaToya held my hand, and I knew in that moment that I had to fight!
I decide to fight with the help of meditation,La Toya gave me a gift in the form of a Tibetan singing bowl and prayer beads to get me through the day.
My doctor has put me on a clinical trial. As part of the treatment, a stent may still need to be placed. My body is experiencing pain, nausea, fatigue but hopefully I keep telling myself things can't get worse. This is just the start of my difficult journey. The gastroenterologist has suggested I have an operation that he hoped would remedy some of my issues. I understand now that my mission is to bring awareness about this horrible disease.I need all of your prayers so that my journey will be successful.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jenny Forward
Organizer
Madison, WI
La Toya Moss
Beneficiary