Joseph E. O'Neill Story
September 2006
Vital Statistics
Joseph O'Neill was diagnosed in March 2005, at the age of 52,
with Stage 1-B (pT2, NO, MO) moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma
of the head of the pancreas.
Background
Was getting a divorce, which I initiated, three sons were angry
with me, living with person I fell in love with, who herself
was still married. Living in poor rental until able to move from
Texas to Michigan - trying to get a new life started, the cancer
destroyed all that since I couldn't support the person I was
in love with, and she had life-threatening Chrohn's disease.
I presently moved back to Texas and remarried my ex-wife, and
am living in a 4-bedroom rental house with my three adult sons
and my youngest son's three boys - as he is separated from his
wife.
Medical History
Anxiety disorder, migraine headaches, hypothyroidism, elevated
cholesterol, narcolepsy, acid reflux, Bell's palsy, claustrophobia,
hiatal hernia and chronic abdominal pain, Gilbert's disease at
one point, benign polyp removed colon September 2004.
Medical Journey
I was living in Texas and visiting loved ones on Christmas vacation.
I arrived four days before Xmas and was staying in younger brother's
house in Petoskey, Michigan. The day after arrival I started
feeling sick to the stomach area and in some pain. It was Christmas
Eve, about 2:00 AM and I knocked on my brother's door and explained
that the pain was now too great to deal with and he needed to
take me to the emergency room. My brother lived 9 miles outside
of town and there was a snowstorm going on.
I was admitted to Northern Michigan Hospital
for four or so days, with CT-scans, ultra sound test, many other
tests and given lots of morphine. They released me saying I had
pancreatitis -- they prescribed a liquid diet, and suggested
a visit to a doctor when I got back to Texas.
In January I returned to San Antonio and
went back to teaching school. I was feeling constant pain at
the bottom edge of my right ribs. I had pain for years in that
area on-and-off but this was more severe and was constant. I
went to Wilford Hall Medical Center on Lackland Air Force Base.
My doctor ran all the tests over again, plus more. At the end
he said I was okay and there was no medical problem found. I
said that there is a problem somewhere and the pain is still
as strong as ever. The Doctor explained that there was one other
test he could run called an Esophageal Ultra-Sound (EUS). I decided
on taking this exam, and the doctor contacted me with the results.
Whipple procedure done in March 2005, Wilford
Hall Medical Center. Pathologic review of specimen revealed a
3.5 cm ductal adenocarcinoma in the head of the pancreas. Six
weeks of chemo 24 hrs a day for six weeks as well as six weeks
of radiation - the max they could give me. Then four months of
gemcitabine once a week.
How You Were Told / How You Told Loved
Ones
I was given an appointment and
he started the conversation by saying I'm sorry Sergeant, I was
real sure the test would be negative. But your pancreas appears
been ill for years and it has a tumor in the head of it. Also,
that they had needed to remove a tissue sample, but that the
biopsy equipment was missing a part.
I was told not to worry - the tumor would
be okay for a while, that the problem with the equipment would
be fixed and I would be one of the first to get one of the procedures.
It was over a month -- and I finally was going to get the sample
taken. When the test was completed the doctor stated the results
were non-conclusive but his guess was that it was really NOT
likely to be malignant.
So, still no firm results. They scheduled
me for Whipple procedure, and brought in a pathologist so as
to get an immediate cancer diagnosis at the time of the procedure.
But, when they got the results - the pathologist couldn't say
for sure - but indicated that the results of the procedure looked
to be benign.
When/How You Learned "The Statistics"
A day later my doctor totally caught me off guard in my hospital
room - he said that it was indeed malignant and that my life
expectancy could not be really given. I soon found out the difficult
statistics. I met with my family and told them everything, and
no one knew how to react. It is still hard for them to this day.
Your Initial Response to Diagnosis and
That of Your Family / Friends
My life was over and I was depressed. My girlfriend started to
back off - though we still were planning a future as husband
and wife. But the cancer killed that with my inability to support
her and myself - due to loss of my ability to work, or care for
her sickness. My immediate family and other relatives still can't
believe as healthy as I was that this cancer had attacked my
body.
Dietary Experience
Eat just like rest of family, no
alcohol, little soda pop, not much chocolate, smaller meals,
limited intake. Walk once in a while.
Medical Team
Dr. Steven Bowers, surgeon; Dr.
Barry Gardner; Dr. Pamela Tuli. Wilford Hall Medical Center,
Lackland AFB. San Antonio Texas. My medical team was great.
Primary Caregivers and Helpers
Girlfriend, brother, wife and Preacher
People
Computer
Support Groups
Wilford Hall Medical Center Cancer
Support Group
Online resources
I just look around
Books
Bible
Attitudes
People who understand the loss
of controlling ones own future, and the great pain of losing
the ability to plan for events.
What Your Doctor Would Say
My body told me there was a problem;
I wouldn't take the doctor's word that I was fine; finding the
tumor early; being of medium age and physically fit.
What You Say
First, God must have more work
for me on earth - something about protecting the future for my
sons and grandsons. Importance of hope: hope for a pain-free
future, one that includes love.
Importance of Humor
I am very light hearted, and enjoy
being with people having fun. If you can't laugh at life, it
will totally dry up your strength and life forces
Importance of Spirituality
I believe God made me and will
end my time some day. I hope that my life is pleasing to him.
We are all children of God trying to share our existence each
and every day.
- Advice
- to other patients: Follow your doctor's orders, listen to what your
body is telling you, surround yourself with good loving people.
-
- to primary caregivers: Don't push things too hard about diet of patient,
be there with a smile and the ability pick up on the needs of
patients.
-
- to well-meaning others: Don't be overly positive, because it can frustrate
the patient.
Thoughts
This Journey brought me closer
to family, and also isolated me from others. At the end, may
God take my soul. And may all those who I loved remember that
I appreciated life with them. God bless all his creation. |
