Help Duy Fight Against Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer
Dear Friends & Family,
On January 29, 2019, our sibling and my brother-in-law, Duy Nguyen, was diagnosed with Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer - also deemed as the silent killer. Those of whom have met Duy immediately feel love for him. He is genuine, empathetic, and is selfless in his ways of helping others in need. He is 41 years young, a husband, a brother, an uncle, a cousin, a friend, a colleague and most importantly, the glue to our family.
When we were informed of his diagnosis, we were absolutely devastated as anyone would be. I, Elizabeth, consider him the older brother I never had. My family was dysfunctional back then. Since he's been a part of our lives, Duy taught us important core family values. I cannot imagine my life without him. It has been really hard on all of us, particularly, his wife and my sister, Marianne.
Duy has been fighting for the past 18 months, gone through countless rounds of chemotherapy, all while still working full-time at Sutter Health Mills-Peninsula Medical Center. In the beginning, some of his tumors shrank and some remained stable, but at stage IV it has metastasized. Traditional surgery was not an option and it has continued to grow.
Unfortunately, things have taken a turn for the worse and he's currently unable to work. He has been experiencing severe stomach pains, is unable to eat, has lost a massive amount of weight, in and out of the hospital, and he’s also fighting an infection.
He is battling like hell for his life. We haven't given up. We are researching and praying hard to find another alternative. Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest cancer worldwide – there is only an 8% survival rate and 3% for stage IV pancreatic cancer patients.
We are thankful for our family and friends who have supported us through this very difficult time. We are grateful for any help you can provide and if you cannot donate, please just pray for my brother.
With this campaign, all proceeds will go to Duy to allow him to focus on his treatments and road to recovery.
Contributions can also be made via Venmo to @Duy-Nguyen-79 or @Marianne-Trinh
Please share our story #AyYoYeee #letsgochamp! #TeamDuy #DD
Thank you,
Elizabeth, Trinh Family, & Nguyen Family
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From my sister, Marianne:
Dear Friends, Family, and Community,
Our journey began on January 29, 2019 when Duy was diagnosed with Stage IV Pancreatic C-A-N-C-E-R, the dreaded C-word. We couldn’t believe it and it shook us all to our very cores. We retreated from the world to navigate our new “normal.”
The first line of treatment we tried on March 5, 2019, FOLFIRINOX, just did not work.
We moved on to the second line of treatment, Gemzar/Abraxane, and it worked for a while. Duy’s CA 19-9 cancer counts went down, he experienced some shrinkage and stability, and we were so hopeful. His chemo side effects included hair loss, weight loss, neuropathy, fatigue, exhaustion, abdominal and back pain, nausea, night sweats, vision issues, chemo brain, taking more medications and pain killers to help alleviate said side effects, etc. (just to name a few). His heart shattered the day he lost his hair. This regimen began to lose its efficiency this past January. We were blessed and celebrated his one-year anniversary on January 29, 2020 but still had to search for other options.
We began UCSF’s Clinical Trial #1 on March 26, 2020 – it didn’t work and Duy’s disease progressed. We began Clinical Trial #2 on June 15, 2020 but that has been discontinued due to his current condition. He’s been in and out of the hospital since June 22nd and is currently fighting an infection. Radiation therapy will need to be pursued too.
It’s been a continuous uphill battle to say the least and every single day has been a roller coaster of emotions. Uncertainty. Fear. Anger. Stress. Worry. Unfairness. Brokenness. Pain. Downs. Hard days. Endless tears. Ups. Good days. Belief. Faith. Hope. LOVE. Everything comes in waves and words could never encompass it all.
We’ve been together for 14 plus years and we are still hoping for a lifetime together. I am so lucky to have Duy as my husband. He is beyond loving, kind-hearted, and funny – your all-around good guy. The one that would root for you when you are down, guide you when you need it, and best of all, make you laugh. He is my rock, my partner, my everything – I cannot even begin to imagine my journey without him. It wasn’t supposed to be like this and my heart is just broken... This pain is impossible and unyielding. Cancer is cruel and truly doesn’t discriminate. We’ve been tried and tested physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually but we will continue to fight for Duy.
We are reaching out for your support in this time of need. Please share our story. Please send positive thoughts, energy, prayers, love, and light to help carry us through this difficult time. My family and I sincerely thank you from the depths of our hearts.
#Champ #ThuongThuong
With endless gratitude,
Marianne, Duy, and Family
