Facebook announcement

I finally put together an announcement to tell my Facebook friends about this cancer...it turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself!   I got many positive comments (and they're still coming!).




Well Facebook friends & family, perhaps you've noticed that I haven't been posting much recently. I thought you might want to know why—I have recently been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. Yes, I know it's not a very good thing, but now my new motto is “It is what it is.” I also say “I'm taking it one day at a time.”


So, in keeping with those thoughts, I'm not looking for sympathy, just understanding and positive vibes. And, I know I'll get that—Facebook has connected me with some fabulous people: I've reconnected with so many old High School buddies from California that I never would have before Social Media, I've met many eBay friends around the country (some I'll never meet in person, but I still consider them friends!), and I've even found shirt-tail relations that we never realized were out there (a name like Osenbaugh does stand out LOL).


I will be starting chemo treatments next week, but in the meantime the oncologist has ordered me to gain weight. I never thought I'd hear that from a doctor! So, I get to sit at home, play on the computer, watch TV, take naps, and eat whatever sounds good at the moment. Still, I'm trying to eat healthy: I'm having mashed potatoes and gravy for lunch, with a fruit smoothie to wash it down and maybe a muffin on the side. It will be just a little, because by definition this pancreatic stuff makes you loose your appetite and many foods do not process as it filters through your body. So I try to eat little bits—just more often.


I'll be glad to answer any questions—I've learned a lot about Pancreatic Cancer in the past month. It's not a well-publicized disease, nor does it get a lot of research funding. But hey, I'm in good company: Steve Jobs and Patrick Swayze had this. So if you want to ask me questions, either publicly or on private message, feel free! I'll try to get back to you in a reasonable time frame, but I just might be taking a nap at the time (another perk: I get to nap whenever I want!).