Unexpected Turn

Dear Family and Friends,

Steve has not been feeling well over the past couple weeks and developed jaundice.  A visit to the doctor ruled out hepatitis so the doctor ordered an ultrasound.  That showed an obstruction of his bile duct by a suspicious mass. On Thursday afternoon, we went to Emergency.  They did a CT scan and confirmed the bile duct blockage and a mass.  A blocked bile duct is a bad thing. On Friday, Steve had an emergency endoscopic  procedure to place a stent into the bile duct and a “brush” biopsy was done.  The bile duct stent placement was successful and the bile is now draining normally. That was the emergency.  However, of more concern now is that the doctors are thinking Steve probably has pancreatic cancer but we don’t have the biopsy results yet.   Meanwhile, Steve is feeling OK.

This is a serious emotional rollercoaster so forgive us for the mass email. We are fearing what’s ahead and  we’ve decided to share the facts we have now, rather than delay or “couch” them. We will update you as we learn more. 

Even more than your sympathy, we’d welcome your help and support as we travel down this difficult path. 

With love,

Dixie and Steve

April 19, 2015 at a friends' son's Eagle Scout Award Ceremony