Jaundice

Sometime early in 2009, perhaps in January or February, Don noticed his diabetes medications were losing their effectiveness, so his doctor began adjusting dosages and switched him to a different medication. We were both concerned, but this sometimes happens with diabetics. Had we known, that was a possible early-warning sign of the Pancreatic Cancer, as was the depression he battled (which I attributed, in part, to my absence while caring for my parents, as well as financial struggles). He finally had to resort to insulin (two types, one slow-acting and one fast-acting). We knew something was amiss when the steatorrhea started, so his doctors ran blood tests and urinalysis tests. He was given a report from one doctor that his kidneys were functioning at decreased capacity. Don and I, both, began to suspect Pancreatic Cancer. Further testing was hampered by his lack of insurance and our lack of financial resources. The real kicker was when I walked into the bathroom one night while Don was enjoying a very loooooooooong soak in the tub, which he called "water therapy" (LOL) and thought his skin had a yellowish color to it. He dismissed it rather quickly, saying it was just the lighting in the bathroom. After emerging from the tub, he still could not see the yellowish tinge to his skin, even in other lighting, but it was obvious to me. I took the photo, below, to try to show him what I was seeing. Next to the white sheets, he definitely had a golden glow about him. He agreed to call his doctor the next day. The next day showed an increase in the jaundice, to the point that even Don could finally see it. The doctor wanted to see him right away, so Don got dressed and left. The next thing I know, I am getting a phone call from him that the doctor took one look and sent him straight to the Johnson City Medical Center. That started the series of tests that confirmed that a tumor was present in his pancreas.

©2012 Tiffany Reed