FYI - not for public dissemination, but for your information.
----- Forwarded message from Greg Newby <gbnewby(a)pglaf.org> -----
From: Greg Newby <gbnewby(a)pglaf.org>
To: pgww(a)lists.pglaf.org
Subject: Greg's medical status
Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2025 15:06:50 -0700
Hi WWers. A few of you have already a heard a bit about this, but
not everyone. This message has more detail than was previously
available.
Here is an update on my medical status. Share as desired internally
and with family & friends, but this is not intended to be public
information.
I've been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Specifically ductal
adenocarcinoma (PDAC). I am not in immediate mortal peril, but it's a
serious situation that I will be addressing for at least the rest of
2025.
Next steps for me are to start chemotherapy, hopefully by the week of
April 28. The current plan is approximately 6 months of FOLFIRONIX,
followed by major surgery called the Whipple Procedure, a.k.a.,
pancreaticoduodenectomy.
My medical team is based in Vancouver at Vancouver General Hospital
and BC Cancer. Chemotherapy will be closer to home, at the Whitehorse
General Hospital.
According to my main doctor at VGH, Dr. Michael Bleszynski, completion
of chemotherapy and the surgery will give me another five years of
life. Of course, I'm hoping for more.
That's the news. I'll include some further medical detail below, for
the curious.
What this means for my organizational roles and work: Firstly, I'm
working on simplifying what I do, and lessening my commitments, to
allow me to focus maximally on health & treatments.
Generally, I'm looking at reduced time and time off from work and
other commitments, and am striving for an orderly transition. I hope
to someday return to full health and energy, and in the meantime will
be focused on beating the cancer.
I expect to mostly maintain my role with Project Gutenberg, with
some absences of up to a few weeks. A number of people, as well as the
Distributed Proofreaders organization, will be helping to bridge
any gaps. DP is also in a key role for succession, in cooperation
with the PGLAF Board, if that becomes necessary.
~ Greg
Medical synopsis:
Following a week’s or so's illness, I first contacted my physician then
visited the hospital on March 20. An initial diagnosis of gallstones
was ruled out, and by March 20 I was checked into the hospital with
an initial diagnosis of cancer.
During the following 12 days of hospitalization, I was given extensive
testing and diagnosis (MRIs, CT scan, ultrasound, laparoscopy,
endoscopy, daily bloodwork, urinalysis, and more).
I had pain in my abdomen and developed jaundice. I got a stent in my
bile duct to regain bile flow. The initial symptoms of a blocked bile
duct were what got the doctors looking, and the discovery was a golf
ball-sized cancerous tumor on the head of the pancreas. It impinges
on the superior mesenteric vein (SMV).
A key consideration for treatment is whether the tumor is resectable.
This means, can it be surgically removed, including removing enough of
the organ that all cancer cells are gone. The involvement of the SMV
means my tumor is borderline resectable since the vein will need to be
bypassed or bridged. I'm still a good candidate for surgery.
This is relatively early detection. The tumor had been growing for at
least several months, but cancer has not yet spread to nearby organs or to
the abdominal fluid.
The pancreas is an organ near the liver, stomach, gallbladder and
small intestine that is important for blood health, digestion, and
other functions. Pancreatic cancer is particularly deadly because it's
often not discovered early and is hard to treat. The tumors are
resistant to immunotherapy and other treatments that work for other
cancers.
Chemotherapy before surgery with FOLFIRONIX is the recommended
treatment for people who are healthy and have Stage II or III
PDAC. This shrinks the tumor and lessens the likelihood of spread
(metastasis).
I'm speaking with my oncologist at BC Cancer about adding additional
treatments or experiments alongside with FOLFIRINOX.
My reaction to chemotherapy is yet to be seen. Many people get sick
during it, and get sicker with repeated treatments. My treatment plan
is to get two days of infusions in the hospital, followed by two days
of infusions at home. Then to repeat the treatment every two weeks
for approximately 6 months. Surgery would occur within a month after
chemotherapy ends.
If I don't tolerate chemotherapy, I may get the surgery sooner. The
surgery requires 7-14 days of hospitalization followed by multi-week
recovery.
My reaction to chemotherapy is yet to be seen. Many people get sick
during it, and get sicker with repeated treatments. My treatment plan
is to get two days of infusions in the hospital, followed by two days
of infusions at home. Then to repeat the treatment every two weeks
for approximately 6 months. Surgery would occur within a month after
chemotherapy ends.
If I don't tolerate chemotherapy, I may get the surgery sooner. The
surgery requires 7-14 days of hospitalization followed by multi-week
recovery.
----- End forwarded message -----
