Besides Oncologists, How Many ‘Gists’ Are There Anyway?

Being a typical guy, I got my annual physical every five or six years. Then pancreatic cancer hit, now I see an alphabet of specialists.

My cancer journey began with a surgical oncologist who extracted my one-inch pancreatic tumor, taking with it the top third of my pancreas. Soon, I saw a radiation oncologist who used a state-of-the-art linear accelerator to administer 30 lethal doses of radiation to the hole where my tumor had been. This was followed by months of chemo overseen by a medical oncologist. To this day, I am so very thankful for my cancer care team, as I would not be here to write this story had they failed to halt the spread of my cancer.

I wish I could say my adventure into medical-land started and stopped with these talented oncologists, but alas, this was just the beginning.

While lifting a tire at our storage locker one afternoon, I heard my back shuffle like a deck of cards. Collapsing to the ground, I lay there writhing in pain. Realizing I had to do something, I crawled to my Camry, reached up and opened the door, grabbed the steering wheel, and then pulled myself up into the driver's seat. On arrival home, I stumbled into my house and collapsed on the couch.Three days later, still in a lot of pain, I made it to the ER only to be told I had three compressed vertebrae, one 70%. Weeks later, an orthopedic surgeon performed kyphoplasty, where each vertebra was injected with bone glue to help it heal.

Wanting to avoid additional compression fractures,I started seeing an endocrinologist to try to figure out the root cause of them. She determined it to be my earlier 30 doses of radiation. These had weakened my vertebrae. She diagnosed me with osteoporosis and started me on Prolia injections. While osteoporosis is a common malady for women, it is not seen that often in men. Does it ever end?

With my medical issues cascading, everything began to happen at once.

For close to two years, I landed in the ER every eight to 12 weeks with debilitating abdominal pain to the point where I was in there so often I got my ER “frequent flyer” card. Often admitted to the hospital, the doctors there were baffled as to what was causing my pain. To figure out whyI added a gastroenterologist (a gut doctor) to my care team. He, too, was baffled as to the cause.

Amid this, after one of my countless trips to the ER, I was admitted to the hospital with a raging infection that had spread from my pancreas to my spleen into my left lung. Out of this, I welcomed a pulmonologist (a lung doctor) to my budding care team.

Weeks later, my gastroenterologist found a small leak in my pancreatic duct, courtesy of my surgery to remove my pancreatic tumor, which had allowed digestive enzymes to leak into my abdominal cavity, which had led to my unbearable pain. After repeatedly stenting the duct, he stemmed the leak. Thankfully, my pain ceased.

With a third of my pancreas missing, I began to lose control of my blood sugar. My endocrinologist suggested I see an ophthalmologist (a medical doctor who specializes in eye health far beyond what an optometrist can do)to monitor my eye health to make sure my eyes were not being damaged by my emerging diabetes. He also suggested I start seeing a podiatrist (a foot doctor) to monitor my foot health, as this is one of the first areas where the impact of diabetes is observed. Feeling overwhelmed by his well-meaning recommendations, I said, “I’m experiencing doctor-fatigue,” to which we both laughed. Nonetheless, I added these new specialists to my cast of “gists”.

A few weeks ago, my endocrinologist asked if I was seeing a nephrologist (a kidney doctor). Again, does this ever end?

While this may seem like a catalog of complaints, it is not. With most patients with pancreatic cancer not seeing two years, I feel blessed to be a dozen years out. Where I didn’t think I would be here for any of my three daughters’ weddings, I have made it to two of them. I’m holding out for the third, my baby.

One of my favorite authors, Craig Groeschel, once wrote, “If you’re not dead, you’re not done.” I guess I’m not done.

This piece reflects the author’s personal experience and perspective. For medical advice, please consult your health care provider.

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