Sometimes the News Is Not Great

By Sister Janis Yaekel, ASC

I am Sister Janis Yaekel, ASC and I have pancreatic cancer. In fact, I have lived with cancer since 2012. I hope to share in my blog my journey and my reflections on the presence of God in my life. It is my hope that those who read my entries will find strength for their own journeys.

Since I began this blog more than a year ago, life has been running along rather smoothly. That recently changed. Now I am facing more chemotherapy.

Last week, I underwent a CT scan and MRI. At first, I thought everything was OK, but soon learned from my radiologist that I have a rather large blood clot in the portal vein in the liver.

My oncologist, Dr. Tan, wanted to see me right away. Obviously, I was not happy about the blood clot, but I did not suspect any far-reaching complications. I thought I would just get more blood thinner medication. I was wrong.

Dr. Tan said I should not have gotten the clot in the first place because I am on blood thinner. Often, he said, the emergence of blood clots signals the beginning of pancreatic cancer growth.

Dr. Tan, a nurse-friend, Jean Harriss, and I discussed possible options. I could wait another two months and see if I have any tumor growth, or I could start chemotherapy with the hope that it will stop any tumor from growing. I decided to be pro-active and start the chemo once again. Besides, I would go crazy sitting around waiting two months for a new sign of cancer.

I find myself at peace with my decision.

In the meantime, I am dealing with irritable bowel brought on by a medicine I was taking, but have since discontinued. Lots of fun all the way around!

On the lighter side, I am watching from my window all the wild birds that are eating at our feeder. Gracie, my cat, is watching with me and I can see her little mind trying to figure out how to open the window so she can get a better view of the birds.

Sorry, Gracie, I cannot let you out!

Read more about Janis’s journey with cancer >>