A little over two weeks ago Jose was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis. He had gone in to his primary care physician Dr. Gochnour after some weeks with abdominal pain and changes in appetite. After an ultrasound and CT scan, he was blown away at the diagnosis of cancer and that it was probably well advanced. That diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy. For a family of mostly boys that live invincible lives, we were all very shocked and saddened as the prognosis surfaced with an average mortality rate of 5-10 months without treatment.
Due to a few discrepancies from the tests, results were sent to Mayo Clinic for further evaluation. The initial report we received back concluded that he had Neuroendocrine Tumors of Pancreatic Origin. This is a much less common type (about 3-5%) of pancreatic cancer. This type of cancer is traditionally slower moving, and treated by other means than chemo. For a few days this information offered a silver lining of hope that a longer life expectancy may occur. After a consultation at the Huntsman, and with clarification from the Mayo Clinic, we found out that Jose's more rare form of pancreatic cancer was even more abnormal. The proliferation rate, or the rate at which the cancer typically spreads, was more than double (and almost three times) the norm. In an instant that silver lining slipped away
as this cancerous enemy raging inside changed the rules. It was advised by doctors and the Oncology teams, at both the Huntsman and McKay, that the cancer be treated aggressively with chemotherapy beginning as soon as possible. So the battle begins with chemo starting this coming Monday January 27th. Jose has chosen to receive treatments at McKay-Dee with Dr. Johnson.
Facing this unexpected journey/battle in life, Jose looks forward with a heart of faith and firm testimony in the Plan of Salvation. The physician at the Huntsman asked Jose what his understanding of his Stage 4 Cancer diagnosis and prognosis was. Jose replied he knew that there was no known cure and that the treatments were to extend his life at best. The physician also explained that the treatments for this type of cancer would be as aggressive, intense, and extremely hard on him as that of the most advanced lung cancer. Jose will receive two rounds of chemo treatments, each one with three successive days of drug treatment with two different chemo drugs, spaced twenty-one days apart. After the second round of treatment, they will re-evaluate the cancer and will be able to determine how well the cancer has responded to treatment and will give a more clear prognosis. The median time frame with a positive treatment response is 1 year.
After everything came to light from the doctors visit and once the physician had left, Jose's eldest son, West, asked him how he was with this new information we received. Jose, without any hesitation, responded as he had before, "I hope for the best and plan for the worst. I have lived a great life and have been blessed with an amazing family. I don't want to die but if it is my time then I am ok with that. I have a much stronger testimony and faith in the Plan of Salvation than people would probably think. I know Christ is my Savior."
