To learn more about Tom Kendall's story, please visit his Caring Bridge webpage at www.caringbridge.org/visit/tomkendall
Tom's story:
Tom's Current Life Journey By Tom Kendall — Nov 29, 2014 3:47pm
November 29, 2014
Dear Family, Friends and Colleagues,
I have been thinking about how to share my current life's journey with family, friends and colleagues in a positive way. I couldn't come up with any good time to tell you that I have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that is inoperable. I began having abdominal pains about 5 weeks ago that led to a needle biopsy (FNA) of left cervical regional lymph node in my neck on Tuesday, November 17, 2014. The pathology report showed I have a metastatic, stage IV, adenocarcinoma on the "tail" of the pancreas. A follow-up PET CT scan showed generalized metastasis. The only symptoms I had were ongoing pain in the abdomen. I lost my appetite and was losing weight. For you that know how I love to eat---this was a BIG red flag. Raspberry jelly filled donuts didn't even tempt me. :=)
I had a surgical "port" installed under the skin in my right shoulder to be able to easily take the IV chemo which is the treatment of choice for my type of cancer. The port stays under my skin, until I am taken off chemo. I started chemo on Friday 11-28-14 at Sutter, Roseville. I spent all day at Roseville on Friday in the Out Patient Oncology Center and am spending today (Saturday) at home with 46 hour IV drip of 5-FU (5-Fluroruracil) which will be removed from the port on Sunday 11-30-14 at 11 am at Sutter, Roseville. I am experiencing some of the chemo side effects and trying to conserve my energy. I am even finding responding to text messages difficult. It is hard for me not to respond in the moment and that's why I'm using Caring Bridge. You all mean a great deal to me, and I will keep you updated as there are major changes in my health.
There will be a total 6 -- three days IV sessions over the next 12 week period. Every person responds differently to everything and I am hearing a lot of "It Depends" in response to questions to my medical team.
Please know I will be doing everything I can to halt this cancer. I am going to live and enjoy every day of the rest of my life interacting with friends and family. I am also a realist, and, currently, my chances of long term survival don't look good----but I accept whatever time I have left. It is what it is. Our Native American friends have always "viewed death as being on their left shoulder". Each of us is given a new day every day, and we never know how many tomorrows we will have. In talking to my veterinary colleague and friend of 26 years, who many of you know, Dr. Linda Fisk, she made the comment, "It doesn't sound like you have a bucket list?" She was absolutely correct----I don't have a bucket list. My bucket list has always been full of people and life's experiences. I have met many outstanding and wonderful people in my nearly 70 years of existence and been fortunate to be a part of the "best profession in the world"--Veterinary Medicine. Dianne and I have traveled to see family scattered across the United States as well as vacationed to other places in the world, and there is no place left that "I have to go or see".
I have been delighted to reach out and mentor many veterinary students in the last 20 years from UC Davis and other Veterinary Schools. I have helped teach multiple communication courses at UCD on how veterinary students develop listening skills and show empathy to clients and their beloved pets. One of the courses I help teach is on "Death and Dying". I am hoping I'll be able to show compassion for myself. I am learning to really appreciate how the 4 stages relate to me and how I am personally experiencing them. Truly understanding the death and dying process is hard, and I hope I will be able to "walk my talk" and "practice what I preached" as the process relates to me personally.
Other than physical blocks such as pain and chemo side effects, I intend to carry on my life as I always have. I feel incredibly blessed to know so many dedicated and caring family, friends and colleagues. I will continue to get strength from all of you and the positive energy everyone is sending my way.
If someone asks you about my current health status you can share the following: (visit the CaringBridge Website and visit Tom Kendall) or to summarize:
"My current health status is that I have been diagnosed with the pancreatic cancer that is inoperable. It has metastasized to my liver, stomach, spleen and my regional lymph nodes. I am on pain meds that keep me comfortable, but the side effects make me sleepy and feel weak at times. I started chemotherapy on 11-28-14. The treatment is given every 2 weeks for a total of 12 weeks. I readily accept all the positive energy that people want to send me in my personal fight with cancer."
November 29, 2014
Dear Family, Friends and Colleagues,
I have been thinking about how to share my current life's journey with family, friends and colleagues in a positive way. I couldn't come up with any good time to tell you that I have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that is inoperable. I began having abdominal pains about 5 weeks ago that led to a needle biopsy (FNA) of left cervical regional lymph node in my neck on Tuesday, November 17, 2014. The pathology report showed I have a metastatic, stage IV, adenocarcinoma on the "tail" of the pancreas. A follow-up PET CT scan showed generalized metastasis. The only symptoms I had were ongoing pain in the abdomen. I lost my appetite and was losing weight. For you that know how I love to eat---this was a BIG red flag. Raspberry jelly filled donuts didn't even tempt me. :=)
I had a surgical "port" installed under the skin in my right shoulder to be able to easily take the IV chemo which is the treatment of choice for my type of cancer. The port stays under my skin, until I am taken off chemo. I started chemo on Friday 11-28-14 at Sutter, Roseville. I spent all day at Roseville on Friday in the Out Patient Oncology Center and am spending today (Saturday) at home with 46 hour IV drip of 5-FU (5-Fluroruracil) which will be removed from the port on Sunday 11-30-14 at 11 am at Sutter, Roseville. I am experiencing some of the chemo side effects and trying to conserve my energy. I am even finding responding to text messages difficult. It is hard for me not to respond in the moment and that's why I'm using Caring Bridge. You all mean a great deal to me, and I will keep you updated as there are major changes in my health.
There will be a total 6 -- three days IV sessions over the next 12 week period. Every person responds differently to everything and I am hearing a lot of "It Depends" in response to questions to my medical team.
Please know I will be doing everything I can to halt this cancer. I am going to live and enjoy every day of the rest of my life interacting with friends and family. I am also a realist, and, currently, my chances of long term survival don't look good----but I accept whatever time I have left. It is what it is. Our Native American friends have always "viewed death as being on their left shoulder". Each of us is given a new day every day, and we never know how many tomorrows we will have. In talking to my veterinary colleague and friend of 26 years, who many of you know, Dr. Linda Fisk, she made the comment, "It doesn't sound like you have a bucket list?" She was absolutely correct----I don't have a bucket list. My bucket list has always been full of people and life's experiences. I have met many outstanding and wonderful people in my nearly 70 years of existence and been fortunate to be a part of the "best profession in the world"--Veterinary Medicine. Dianne and I have traveled to see family scattered across the United States as well as vacationed to other places in the world, and there is no place left that "I have to go or see".
I have been delighted to reach out and mentor many veterinary students in the last 20 years from UC Davis and other Veterinary Schools. I have helped teach multiple communication courses at UCD on how veterinary students develop listening skills and show empathy to clients and their beloved pets. One of the courses I help teach is on "Death and Dying". I am hoping I'll be able to show compassion for myself. I am learning to really appreciate how the 4 stages relate to me and how I am personally experiencing them. Truly understanding the death and dying process is hard, and I hope I will be able to "walk my talk" and "practice what I preached" as the process relates to me personally.
Other than physical blocks such as pain and chemo side effects, I intend to carry on my life as I always have. I feel incredibly blessed to know so many dedicated and caring family, friends and colleagues. I will continue to get strength from all of you and the positive energy everyone is sending my way.
If someone asks you about my current health status you can share the following: (visit the CaringBridge Website and visit Tom Kendall) or to summarize:
"My current health status is that I have been diagnosed with the pancreatic cancer that is inoperable. It has metastasized to my liver, stomach, spleen and my regional lymph nodes. I am on pain meds that keep me comfortable, but the side effects make me sleepy and feel weak at times. I started chemotherapy on 11-28-14. The treatment is given every 2 weeks for a total of 12 weeks. I readily accept all the positive energy that people want to send me in my personal fight with cancer."
Products
Kick Cancer in the Face for Tom wristbands
Each bracelet is the color purple, the color for pancreatic cancer.
$5/wristband
Each bracelet is the color purple, the color for pancreatic cancer.
$5/wristband
|
|
|
Kick Cancer in the Face for Tom Bandana
$10/bandana
|
|
