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I'm Not Gluten Intolerant After All :-(

Greg56

By Greg56
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

Greg56 Rookie
Greg56
Posted

About 3 months ago I decided that I may be gluten intolerant due to the symptoms that I had. So I went gluten free for 2.5 months. My symptoms never went away so I went to a gastroenterologist. She had me take some CT scans and then a couple biopsies. I turns out I have cancer of the pancreas. It is not resectable (sp?) as is usually the case with this type of cancer.

I thought I would mention this just in case anyone else suspects they may have something like gluten intolerance but is not certain if that is the problem. You might benefit to have any tests done as early as possible if you have any inkling that you could have cancer of the pancreas. My doctors told me that about 85% of cases they see come in to late to fix.

I appreciate the help I have received here. God bless you all.

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mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

OMG Greg, I am so sorry to hear that. How awful for you. My heart goes out to you.{{{Hugs}}}}

Swpocket Rookie
Swpocket
Posted

Thats terrible =(

GlutenWrangler Contributor
GlutenWrangler
Posted

Greg,

I'm so sorry to hear that. I think I can speak for us all here when I say that we wish you the very best through this very difficult time, and if you need anything at all, we are here for you. And thank you very much for sharing that valuable information with us. Good luck with everything. My thoughts are with you.

-Brian

Jestgar Rising Star
Jestgar
Posted

{{{{{ Greg }}}}}

Hugs and strength to you.

ang1e0251 Contributor
ang1e0251
Posted

Greg,

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to warn us all about a very serious subject. I'm sorry you have to go through this and I will keep you in my prayers. How generous of you to share your story to help others at this time.

Angie

mamaw Community Regular
mamaw
Posted

Greg

I'll be praying for you. I never thought I would say I wished for gluten intolerance or celiacs for another person but in your case I, if given a choice for you would have taken celiac.

You are so kind to warn others & we all Thank You .

Modern medicine has come a long way so we will pray for a best recovery possible for you...

Please keep in touch so we all know how you are doing..& a friend of a celiac is always a friend.........................................

blessings

mamaw

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TrillumHunter Enthusiast
TrillumHunter
Posted

((((Greg))))

I wish you were one of us.

Praying for you!

DingoGirl Enthusiast
DingoGirl
Posted

I, too, wish you were one of us.

Hugs and prayers for you, and thank you for sharing this with us.

Takala Enthusiast
Takala
Posted

:(

Words just don't seem adequate.

msmini14 Enthusiast
msmini14
Posted

Thank you for sharing that with us. I am so sorry to hear this, I too wish you were one of us. Keep on the boards, we are all here to support eachother.

Welda Johnson Newbie
Welda Johnson
Posted

Oh Greg,

I am trying to get past the lump in my throat to say that I, along with others here, will be thinking of you and praying for you. I hope that you will sense our love and warmth, and that you will realize that whatever you are going through, we are sharing it with you. We are all connected! I will keep in mind your warning to be aware that some of the symptoms of Celiac are similar to those of pancreatic cancer. Thank you so much for letting us know what is going on with you. Peace be with you. Welda

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

Hi Greg,

I just wanted to add my thoughts and prayers. Warm hug to you.

maile Newbie
maile
Posted

Greg,

I sincerely wish you were celiac. Good luck in your fight, I lost my mother to pancreatic cancer in 2002 but I also know of some people who fought for years, well beyond their doctor's prognosis. in your search for how to help yourself take a look at artemisinin, not a cure (nothing is :( ) and not in place of more traditional therapies, rather a treatment for malaria that seems to help some with pancreatic cancer.

digmom1014 Enthusiast
digmom1014
Posted

Greg-

You are obviously a very caring and giving person to be conserned about others during this stressful time in your life. I will keep you in my prayers.

Please write me if you just need to vent or are frustrated. I am a two time cancer survivor and I know how getting that diagnosis feels.

lizajane Rookie
lizajane
Posted

I am so sorry about your diagnosis. Peace to you.

Greg56 Rookie
Greg56
Posted
  • Author

This may seem bizarre to some or maybe even all of you but it was somehow a relief when the doctors told me of the cancer. I had suspected something was terribly wrong and had hoped it was going to turn out to be celiac disease because that had a treatment, a solution. But to finally know was a relief. I guess it was because my 11 month long struggle to learn what it was had finally come to an end.

Another thing that still strikes me as odd is that since I went into the hospital on the 13th of April, and up through today (I've been home since Friday), I feel better physically than I have for months. My pain is much reduced. But both my local hospital and also the Mayo Clinic in MN said it is cancer and nothing can be done but chemo and radiation to hopefully extend life somewhat and make it less unpleasant.

On the upside, I am 56, single, never married and of course no children or any dependents so that makes it much easier for me than it would be for a family man I am sure. I just have to keep remembering that a few years one way or the other is not what is important. In the grander scheme we are all here for only a short while.

I sincerely thank you all for your concern, prayers and good wishes.

Greg

Jestgar Rising Star
Jestgar
Posted

We are all quite happy to be your family here.

Chemistry is an amazing thing, I hope you quickly find a combination that gives you both health and happiness.

mamaesq Rookie
mamaesq
Posted

Greg,

I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I lost my grandfather to pancreatic cancer in December and have gotten really involved with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. I've lobbied Congress the last two years to try to get more funding for pancreatic cancer through the organization. They are a tremendous group of people and provide great support to patients and their families. Please go to www.pancan.org if you haven't already done so and requet information from their PALS program. Johns Hopkins has a pancreatic cancer message board that was enormously helpful to my family. My mother still participates on the message board.

I will keep you in my thoughts, and if there is anything I can do, please let me know.

karenhockley Apprentice
karenhockley
Posted

OMG Greg,

I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnose. My mother had both breast cancer and Ovarian cancer, I know what radiation and chemo can do to a person. Stay positive and live for the moment. My thoughts are with you on your new journey in life.

Salax Contributor
Salax
Posted

My prayers and thoughts to you Greg.

mamaw Community Regular
mamaw
Posted

Hi Greg

You have a wonderful outlook. And its not over til its over.... lots of people survived cancer with chemo & radiation. Just keep your positive outlook blooming.

I believe our destiny was routed at birth so I believe you are correct. It isn't about quantity it is about quality of life that matters.

And as someone else mentioned we all are extended family.

I'm so glad you are feeling better . ANd at this point I'm sure knowing what is wrong lifts a burden ... I know for me , knowing the truth is always better than the unknown. How do you deal with an unknown. You now are doing what needs to be done in a positive way...an inspiration to others.

god bless

mamaw

GottaSki Mentor
GottaSki
Posted
This may seem bizarre to some or maybe even all of you but it was somehow a relief when the doctors told me of the cancer. I had suspected something was terribly wrong and had hoped it was going to turn out to be celiac disease because that had a treatment, a solution. But to finally know was a relief. I guess it was because my 11 month long struggle to learn what it was had finally come to an end.

Another thing that still strikes me as odd is that since I went into the hospital on the 13th of April, and up through today (I've been home since Friday), I feel better physically than I have for months. My pain is much reduced. But both my local hospital and also the Mayo Clinic in MN said it is cancer and nothing can be done but chemo and radiation to hopefully extend life somewhat and make it less unpleasant.

On the upside, I am 56, single, never married and of course no children or any dependents so that makes it much easier for me than it would be for a family man I am sure. I just have to keep remembering that a few years one way or the other is not what is important. In the grander scheme we are all here for only a short while.

I sincerely thank you all for your concern, prayers and good wishes.

Greg

Dear Greg-

I do not think your reaction bizarre or strange...I'd say it's a healthy one. I am a 7 year cancer survivor and thank God for every day given. I have just recently been diagnosed Celiac after years of many unexplained illnesses...my mind is at peace finally...Celiac is truly the best news I could have received as I feared the return of cancer, but was ready to hear that diagnosis again. I just wanted to know.

Our family's prayers are with you. Keep on keeping on...diet and a possitive outlook have as much to do with surviving as chemistry...although we do live in a great time for chemical miracles.

Keep us updated and THANK YOU for sharing your story.

-Lisa

ranger Enthusiast
ranger
Posted

My heart and prayers are also with you. My good friend has breat cancer that has matasized to her lungs, chest wall, liver, and Brain. She has the same positive attitude that you do but she has her moments, as I'm sure you will. I have been going with her to chemo for 5 years, now. She was given 6 mn. to 2 years. We feel blessed everyday that passes. I do believe in miracles, and I pray that you get one.

Susan

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