Amy

My Story is about My mom, Joy Greisman Bonn

 

This event took place from to 05/06/2020

 

The Discovery

My mom was having discomfort and it didn’t feel like gastro problems so she was concerned so she went to the doctor.

 

This is My Story

My mother was my best friend. My dad, my brother, sister in law and her two sisters and five grandchildren- Jacob, Jordan, Peri, Harley and Dani were the light of her life. When she knew she would die, she always said she had a good life and grateful for her wonderful family. She was the matriarch of our family. She was my anchor and life has just not been the same. She was a true JOY to all!

 

The Impact of Time

The last few months with my mom were spent with family surrounding her. We would lay in bed together and have conversations we never had. I was able to hear what she wanted for her family once she passed.

I was able to be there and hold her hand when she passed.

 

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Lauren

My Story is about My dad, Bob

 

This event took place from 09/01/2016 to 10/26/2017

 

The Discovery

My dad, Bob, was having stomach pain for a few months. He went to the doctor and didn’t have a conclusive answer. Eventually, he had pancreatitis. He had an exploratory surgery to look for a tumor, which the surgeon did not believe was found. However, they did determine that he had pancreatic cancer after a final biopsy. It was a frustrating process, and we were never given a clear diagnosis until it was much later.

 

This is My Story

My family and I were amazed at how little funding, research, detection, and treatment options existed for people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This was apparent very quickly. We came together and turned the grief of our dad’s death into energy and movement.

We launched The Reaumond Foundation a year after my dad’s passing. The foundation was established to provide research grants to doctors and comprehensive cancer centers focused on cutting edge research to combat the effects of the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.

Additionally, The Reaumond Foundation was established to provide financial assistance to families recently diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. The financial and emotional burden can be overwhelming and our foundation seeks to help those dealing with this deadly disease. Patients have a simple application process and have used funds for treatment, parking, transportation, groceries, rent, and other daily expenses that are often so impacted by pancreatic cancer.
In 2021, The Reaumond Foundation set an ambitious goal of raising $100,000 to provide subsidized housing to patients seeking extended care for pancreatic cancer at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas — the nation’s top hospital for cancer care. With the help of our generous donors, we were able to purchase and furnish our first home, which is within walking distance from MD Anderson, in December of 2021.

Homes of Hope aims to ease the financial burden of housing, provide better access to the nation’s top cancer hospitals, and provide a “home away from home” to families during their most difficult days.
Our foundation is our way of using our dad’s legacy as a vehicle for change and better outcomes.

 

The Impact of Time

The gift of time is so present in our story. My dad did very well with chemo treatment at first, and was able to enjoy much of his time with my mom and my three other siblings. He traveled to his other home in Arizona, exercised, enjoyed time with friends, and had a higher quality of life than you would expect with someone with this diagnosis.

My (now) husband and I had gotten engaged about two months before this diagnosis. We had a set plan to get married a year and a half after our engagement. My dad’s oncologist was pretty frank with us, and it was recommended to move the wedding up to a much closer date. We planned our wedding in two months. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made, as my dad was fully present at our wedding and in good health. It greatly shifted my priorities, and it was a “life lesson” that will be with my forever. It became so clear to me that our greatest gift is family and time spent together, and the rest is truly just noise.

It hasn’t even been five years since my father has passed. I often say it’s the shortest and longest time, as so much has changed. My husband and I are about to welcome our third child. In a very cliche way, my dad’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis serves a constant reminder that our time is finite and doesn’t wait for anyone. The buzzing thought that my dad has not met any of my children (or the three other grandchildren in our family) feels unbearable, cruel, and unfair in every way.
There will never be a day that I consider my dad’s death as a gift or a blessing. However, it changed me in ways that have made me a better person and shifted my outlook on life in such a meaningful way.

 

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Jodie

My Story is about My Mum, Maureen

 

This event took place from to

 

The Discovery

In hindsight, Mum had been experiencing symptoms for a few months. Her symptoms included indigestion, bloating and a sore back.
It wasn’t until her doctor was concerned about her overdosing on pain medication that she was sent to the hospital for scans.

 

This is My Story

There is little to no history of cancer on Mum’s side of the family and certainly no history of pancreatic cancer.

The thing I still struggle to this day, is how fast the cancer took her away from us and how cruel the disease is. The pain levels Mum experienced were so intense, to the point she didn’t want to be around anymore and was approved for voluntary assisted dying (legal in Canada). My understanding was that she was waiting to reach her 60th Birthday in September. Time wasnt on her side though and she passed away in August.

 

The Impact of Time

Mum didn’t get a lot of time, she had 5 months between being diagnosed until she passed away – April 2020 to August 2020. She was living in Canada at the time and once my brother and I knew she was running out of time we jumped on a plane (from Australia) to be with her – not an easy task in the middle of a pandemic with border closures. In fact, it was 2 years ago to the day, 31 May.

After completing 2 weeks quarantine in Canada, Mum was released from the hospital so we could care for her at home, with the help of family, home care nurses and doctors. I got 3 weeks with Mum before I had to return to my young family in Australia, and complete 2 weeks hotel quarantine. My brother stayed on until Mum passed (1 month after I left). My Mum and my brother were incredibly brave.

 

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Andrea

My Story is about my Abuela.

 

This event took place from 8 May 2016 until 2 December 2016

 

The Discovery

It took about 6 months and it all took place in Mexico. She went back home after a week stay because of her sister, who was once again diagnosed with stomach cancer and won the battle. She lost a lot of weight and strength which is why all her children pushed her to see a doctor. After about 6 months, she was too weak, and maybe 2 or so of her diagnoses were HepB/C because of her jaundice and nothing else was discovered until they got a look at her pancreas. She was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and was five about 3 months, if that, to live.

 

This is My Story

The 3 months she was given were cut short. After her diagnosis, maybe a few days after she worsened. She had bike spreading and had to be drained. She was given the option to spend the rest of her time in the hospital or at home. She decided to go home. This gave her and her children to spend time. She had some places, places where she would connect with god, that she wanted to visit. Although extremely tired and needing the help of everyone, she was able to visit most of those places she desired before she passes. After her diagnosis, she was with us for less than a month before she passed on 12/02/2016. She passed away in her sleep, but we do know that at that point all the bad stuff had spread to her brain.

 

The Impact of Time

I know you all have more positive stories, or early detection. Unfortunately for my grandma, she had neither. I hear all these different stories but they all have the best patient care possible because of their country. I believe that if she would have gotten taken care of here in the US that maybe, just maybe, she could have had a little more time.

 

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Cornelia

My Story is about my Mum.

 

This event took place from 31 October 2019 to 16 September 2021

 

The Discovery

It was discovered by chance. My mum returned from a holiday complaining about an upset stomach and itchy skin. She blamed the food the was eating on her trip and the new bedding she was sleeping in. A few days later, a family friend who is also working in the medical field, looked at my mums eyes and said ‘you don’t look good, you should see a doctor’. A day later she was seeing her GP who found something suspicious in an ultrasound. She was referred to the local hospital and was diagnosed with jaundice, caused by pancreatic cancer.

 

This is My Story

I am upset that so many people can’t see their loved ones in need due to COVID restrictions all over the world. It was hard for me in 2020 and early 2021 and I was one of the lucky ones that was given the gift of spending time with my mum, who sadly passed away on the 16th of September 2021, just 2.5 months shy of her 69th birthday. I love my mum and I miss her dearly.

For my mum I shaved my hair last year during pancreatic cancer awareness month. I raised $2500. At her funeral we raised another 2500 Euro.

 

The Impact of Time

Time is the most important. My mum had surgery to free her bile ducts and started chemo soon after. I was able to visit her over Christmas 2019 (just before the world faced this new pandemic called COVID). She was going strong for quite sometime; the chemo was doing its job and my mum was keeping fit, occupied and healthy. She still had some goals, some of which she couldn’t experience due to COVID restrictions. 2020 went by with my mum going about her fortnightly routine of chemo. 2021 she started to struggle, lost more weight, had more side effects from the chemo – started to lose hope. I made an effort to apply for a travel exemption, which allowed me to see her in July 2021. My return flights were cancelled and I had to stay until October. What a blessing it was. My mum deteriorated very quickly in that time. She suffered from jaundice again and the cancer was pressing on her intestines. I was there for her in the time she needed me most. Yes, time was everything and also the timing of things. She managed to live 22 months with her diagnosis of Stage IV inoperable pancreatic cancer. She lived her life with this diagnosis, endured rounds and rounds of chemo and still left the hospital smiling. I am grateful my mum had the time she had; I wished COVID didn’t make it so hard, but she made the best of the time she had. She put plans in place for her end of life care and funeral, which eased the burden on us as a family. Of course, I still wish we had more time. Early detection is so important and can change the time we can spent with our loved ones.

 

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Mark

My Story is about my Me

 

This event took place from 16 October 2019 until now

 

The Discovery

During a scan before an emergency peratinitus operation.

 

This is My Story

I was diagnosed too late, I guess I had symptoms for at least 18 months before my diagnosis. My cancer was only discovered during an emergency operation. If it hadn’t been discovered I know I wouldn’t be here now. Due to the excellent care of my nurses & doctors who are keeping me alive my tumour is stable but u operable I am able to enjoy my time with family & friends although I am very tired after 46 cycles of chemotherapy. Time to ne is important & making people aware of the symptoms is important.

 

The Impact of Time

Time is a gift, I was diagnosed 2 years ago, I have had 46 cycles of Folfirnox & 6 weeks of radiotherapy & exploration in 2 years. My gift is the treatment is keeping me alive, allowing me with time with my loved ones.

 

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Hedy

My Story is about my Barbara Rychter

 

This event took place from 13 October 2018 to 24 September 2019

 

The Discovery

My mother felt ill with symptoms similar to an ulcer which quickly progressed to hospitalization (within weeks) and then a biopsy of some “sludge” clogging a bile duct was proved to be pancreatic cancer.

 

This is My Story

This happened within a matter of weeks. No one would have ever guessed it was coming and suddenly our whole world changed. We lost my wonderful mother only 11 months after her diagnosis.

 

The Impact of Time

Everything is so fast! Symptoms to diagnosis to terminal. It all slips away so quickly. Time is absolutely a gift and what we all wouldn’t do for just one more moment with our loved ones.

Pancreatic Cancer needs urgent attention!

 

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Teri

My Story is about my My mother-in-law, Tammy

 

The Discovery

Her cancer was discovered after a few visits to the emergency room for stomach pain. She was originally diagnosed with ulcers, but had a feeling it was something more, so she pushed for more help.

 

This is My Story

My daughter never got the chance to meet her paternal grandmother, so I make sure to make an extra effort to have her know and visit her remaining grandparents and great grandparents. I make sure she knows how much she would have been loved by her grandma, and that she knows stories and things about her. Just because someone is gone doesn’t mean their love and memories are. Wearing purple on World Pancreatic Cancer day is a way we can honor her love and memory together.

 

The Impact of Time

Every time I get frustrated, or short on patience with a loved one I stop and remember how lucky I am that I still have them in my life. I have the constant reminder that life can be very short, and it should be lived as I want to live it, not just sit back and wait for “the perfect time” to do things.

 

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Sherry

My Story is about my Sister & my Aunt

 

This event took place from 17 November 2008 to 7 March 2017

 

The Discovery

My sister was having pain in her stomach and lower back. She had her gallbladder removed first and the pain continued. Then through blood work they decided to do a scope and they found the tumor on her pancreas.

 

This is My Story

My sister was my first encounter with this disease, we had not experienced it before. She was the first person I loss so close to me. I am the baby sister so she spoiled me. She had 2 young girls at the time of her death they were 9 and 4. Her journey with pancreatic cancer was up and down as she went through 10 months of 6 different chemotherapy and one round of radiation filling her surgery to remove 60% of her stomach, majority of her pancreas, spleen and adrenal gland. She fought but in October of 2009 they stopped everything infusion and treatments she made to her birthday on Dec 3 and her daughter’s birthday on Dec 5 and left us the week before Christmas on Dec 17th.

In 2017 when my Aunt started showing symptoms I knew and I had to be there for my cousins.

 

The Impact of Time

With my sister she was only 42, and it happen and we had one full year with her until Dec 17, 2009. My Aunt was much faster she was diagnosed in February and gone in March 2017. Now I value time spent with family and friends, I cherish and embrace it. I make sure I am there in that moment. No time to waste!

Early detection is so important now that myself, my other sister, cousins and my sisters children are doing genetic testing. I have implemented recommendations from my doctor to stay on focus for early detection.

 

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Tiffany

My Story is about My brother, Joshua

 

This event took place from 1 October 2017 to 9 April 2019

 

The Discovery

At age 36, my brother had started experiencing some back pain. He had a history of kidney stones and figured it was another bout of that. Time went on and the pain continued, becoming unbearable at times. He ended up having a biopsy done on his pancreas and they said they weren’t able to get a good sample. He ended up going to the emergency room due to the pain progressing. A scan was done and he was scheduled to see a gastroenterologist at University of Michigan on February 14,2018. Josh went to work that day and got off early for his appointment. My parents and I met Joshua at the medical center. We were all tense and had a bad feeling about this appointment, but tried to remain positive. The dr he had ran about an hour or so late. He came into the room and greeted us. He cut to the chase and told us that Joshua had stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The cancer had metastasized to his liver. Joshua said, “ok” and the Dr said, “no…it’s not ok”. We all had tears filling up our eyes as Joshua tried to remain strong for us after hearing this diagnosis. My dad asked the difficult question…what was his prognosis? The Dr said 10 months. He said there was nothing he could do for him besides palliative care.

 

This is My Story

We all went back to Joshua’s house afterwards and talked about where to go from here. That night, he contacted Cancer Treatment Centers of America for a second opinion on treatment options. They set him up with an appointment at their center near Chicago within 10 days. My dad transported him back and forth to the center for treatment and we all tried to remain hopeful. Throughout treatment, his tumors had shrunk some. This seemed promising. Unfortunately, Joshua also had cystic fibrosis and this created additional problems with his health and his ability to tolerate chemo. He eventually decided to obtain oncology care at a local hospital in Lansing, Michigan. As time went on, Joshua was in and out of the hospital. Did chemo as his body tolerated it. He lost a lot of weight off his already thin frame. He became jaundiced. His appetite became less and less. The pain medications he had been taking were no longer working. He became weaker by the day. On 1 April 2019, he told my family and I that he couldn’t do it anymore and needed more help to manage his pain. He decided to go on hospice. The next day, hospice services were set in place at our family’s home where Joshua wanted to stay. He was alert for a couple days, but would become irritable every night. We never left his side during this time. He was no longer eating or drinking. His breathing became rattled. On April 9, 2019, he was hardly communicating with us. He was staring off at the ceiling. We noticed his breathing had changed…his skin appeared bruised on his back and his nails were bluish…we were giving him pain meds every 5-10 minutes to control his pain and irritability. At 6:20pm, my brother passed away surrounded by his loved ones at the age of 37.

Since Joshua passed away, my dad also passed away on January 11, 2021 due to health issues. A big part of it was that he couldn’t handle being without his son. He had no will to fight anymore. RIP to both of them.

I love and miss you both.

 

The Impact of Time

Life is so very short. After losing 2 loved ones in my immediate family in 2.5 years, I’ve realized just how precious life truly is. I try to make the most out of my life because my loved ones that have passed on would love to be here enjoying their lives still.

 

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