***Update 10/18***HndrdPrcnt Health Status

**HndrdPrcnt** · 10-19-2007, 08:32 AM

First of all, thanks to all of you who have supported me over the last year as I have battled through my pancreatic cancer experience. It has been an experience that while I would wish on no one, has really been a HUGE blessing in so many ways.

If you will remember, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last October (the day after getting back from a MOST amazing vacation to WDW) and was given 6-12 months to live. After enough research, and being truly blessed by God, we found a top-notch sugical oncologist at UC Davis who told me that he could perform a radical surgery on me to try to save my life called the Whipple procedure.

As you can imagine, me and my family were scared out of our wits. However, it was my only hope of beating this cancer as over 90% of pancreatic cancer patients don't make it. So, we moved forward and in November of last year, I had the procedure. I ended up in the hospital for nearly a month with some complications. However, I made it out alive

!!

I had a few scares after that as some of the tests were coming back showing that the cancer was not all gotten. However, I had an amazing support team around me all praying that the next sets of tests would show that it was gone. Then, just days short of starting down the path of chemotherapy, I was told that the numbers were dipping and that there was no need to move forward with chemo at this time and that we would just continue testing every 3 months.

Well, I just got my most recent tests back and they are free-and-clear of any signs of cancer!! This does not mean that I am "cancer-free", but it sure is a relief to know that for the next 3 months I am clear of stress!!

I have learned so much through all of this, but the one thing that I learned more than anything else is to not take things for granted. It is amazing how we can all get so wrapped up in our everyday lives that we don't take the time to "smell the roses". God has blessed me with the most amazing wife who has stood by my side through all of this. She barely left my side the entire...and I mean entire..time that I was in the hospital. She had to do things for me that she probably never knew that she was signing up for when she married me! What a trooper and a HUGE blessing in my life!!!! Also, my kids were amazing through all of this as well simply going with the flow and never complaining even when they were being bounced around from one house to another.

If I can recommend anything, take a few moments of every day to count your blessings, to let people who love you know that you appreciate them, and, thank God for all the ways that you have been blessed!!

Thank you again for your support and kind words! You can get more info on my home page and stay updated that way as well.

**Melanie** · 10-19-2007, 08:35 AM

Wonderful news, John. Continued blessings to you and yours!

**WDWFanatic** · 10-19-2007, 08:38 AM

John,

Your post brought tears to my eyes. I am so happy for you and your family. You will continue to be in my prayers and we'll even continue to sprinkle you with pixie dust

.

I am looking forward to reading your 5, 10, and 15 year cancer free posts!

Truely what a blessing.

**Mickey'sGirl** · 10-19-2007, 08:43 AM

John, you have been so positive throughout all of this. You are truly an inspiration for those facing such situations, and you are a great reminder to everyone else to count our blessings and be thankful for every day. I wish you continued great test results.

Take care!

**kakn7294** · 10-19-2007, 08:44 AM

John, that's fantastic! I have occasionally checked your homepage to keep up with your health and think of you often. I'm so glad to hear that things may finally be looking up for you. We'll continue to keep you and your family in our prayers!

**Jeff** · 10-19-2007, 08:46 AM

Great news John.
I will continue to pray for you. You have an amazing attitude. God bless you! You are must be a great witness to many.

**MissStyles** · 10-19-2007, 08:50 AM

Thank you so much for sharing such excellent news with us John!!! I know many of us have appreciated your posts throughout the last year/year and a half. You are living proof that if you are positive you can fight ANYTHING. Keep up that positive energy and enjoy the holidays coming up!!!!!!!!!!

**DizNee143** · 10-19-2007, 08:55 AM

yay!! that is such great news!! i am so glad everything is going good for you right now!! pleasers continue to keep us updated!!!

**HndrdPrcnt** · 10-19-2007, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by Jeff

Great news John.
I will continue to pray for you. You have an amazing attitude. God bless you! You are must be a great witness to many.

I can only hope!! My goal since Day 1 of all this is to try to discover what I was to learn from this experience and then share that with others! Our God is an awesome God and he has used our experience to prepare us to help others in our local community who are going through similar experiences. One of our closest friends from church is currently going through chemo and a clinical trial for Stage 4 lung cancer. My wife goes with him and his wife to his appointments to take notes for them so that they can just focus on what the doctor has to say. I tell you, my wife is AMAZING!! I try to meet with him regularly as well to keep his spirits up as well.

I just stay focused on Jeremiah 29:11 and Psalm 23 (I especially like that it says that "walk through" which means that you come out the other side!!

**Dsnygirl** · 10-19-2007, 08:57 AM

John, that is such great news - I am so happy to hear that things are going so well for you, and that so far, you've got this thing beaten! You've been in our prayers, and you and your family will remain there -- God has sure blessed you guys, and it is great to see how well you all are doing.

**offwego** · 10-19-2007, 09:06 AM

So glad to see this update! Hope all continues to go well for you and your family.

**disneydrmr** · 10-19-2007, 09:09 AM

You are proof that "All things work for good..." what an inspiration you are! A true Light of Christ! Your faith and trust has been so evident thru this. It 'humbles' me and convicts me of the attitudes I get when things don't go my way. May God continue to touch, heal and bless you! And may your life continue to be a living testimony of God's grace and goodness!

pogo · 10-19-2007, 09:20 AM

God bless you and stay strong, my friend. I am with you in spirit.

**SBETigg** · 10-19-2007, 09:21 AM

Wonderful news! Very inspiring.

**Jenemmy** · 10-19-2007, 09:27 AM

Ahhhh .. God is good, all the time. Thank you for giving the glory to the author of your miracle! I am thrilled beyond words for you and your beautiful family. You all remain in my prayers. There is some praise going on here in Ohio because of your news

**Maleficent's Dad** · 10-19-2007, 09:44 AM

John,

I was very happy reading your post.

Congratulations on the good news; your spirit is inspiring!

God bless you and your family; we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

**jodijo** · 10-19-2007, 09:49 AM

I am so glad things are going well, neighbor.( I live close to you.) I have a minor medical problems and am grateful to live near UC Davis. They are amazing.

**mickeysworld** · 10-19-2007, 10:14 AM

What wonderful news! May God continue to bless you and your beautiful family.

**CanadianWDWFan** · 10-19-2007, 10:42 AM

Good news John!

You have shown me that there is always another way to look at things.

Thanks for your friendship!

**disneydeb** · 10-19-2007, 10:54 AM

John, Thank you for sharing your good news with us. You've been on my mind lately--- good to hear your news is so wonderful. Keep us posted and God grant you good health for many years to come.

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