Test results

Hello All,

The good news is it turned out not to be an ulcer. Between the Endoscopy and ultrasound, the diagnosis is what is called varicies. Varices are dilated veins in the distal esophagus or proximal stomach caused by elevated pressure in the portal venous system. In simple terms, from what I understand, the tumor is putting pressure on an artery. The body has its own defense mechanism to create smaller vessels to bypass this artery. As Roseanne Roseann Adana so eloquently said, "it's always something".
Thanks Mark for all your postings. You're a good son.

I'm so lucky

There hasn't been a whole lot to post about lately which I suppose is a good thing. I guess these would be about as interesting as anyone else's posts would be about their day to day happenings if it were updated more.

Mom continues to do miraculously well. She continues to work 16 hours a week and do all the other normal daily activities you're average healthy person would be doing.

The one thing I wanted to note here put a smile on my face just a couple days ago. I had stopped by the house for a few to say hi to mom and she started to tell me something. She told me about how she was listening to something on TV about Patrick Swayze who has the same type of cancer mom has. She said, "did you realize only 20% of Pancreatic Cancer patients make it through the first year?" "Yes" I said. "I am sooooo lucky" she beamed. Sure enough. I told her, "Scarlett's mom would say, 'There's no such thing as luck, it's all is God's plan.'" I like that.

We're not done with you yet mom!

We have so much to be thankful for this Easter season. Mom was diagnosed nine months ago and she's doing so well. We have so much to be thankful for. As we approach that one year mark, please continue to pray hard for her.

Mark