The most common surgical procedure performed is called the Wipple (Pancreaticoduodenectomy). This is major life-changing surgery with a long and difficult "recovery". I have elected not to do this, due to existing co-morbidities from my sorted past and the expectation that the recovery would exceed my lifespan, which I'd rather keep as normal as possible.

Instead, I've elected to use palliative care to manage my symptoms, which likely includes some chemotherapy.

Yes, I suppose that's in my nature. I first was confronted with my prospective early mortality back when I contracted Hodgkin's Disease (and later ITP) in my 20's and early 30's. This is probably another case where the treatment was worse than the cure. At the time, treatment included an extensive abdominal search for involved lymph nodes, the removal of my Spleen, and total-nodal irradiation. This lead to many down-stream health affects.

In around 2010 I went deeply into Septic Shock, from which I made a full recovery, but it was a close thing, which many (most?) people don't survive without major life changes. I was lucky.

In 2017, I had Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery due to Aortic Insufficiency. This did not go as planned, and they needed to change the procedure part way through, and it was a difficult recovery. Making things worse, I picked up a serious Pseudomonas infection under my sternum contracted during surgery. Frankly, my surgeon was little help, and really just abandoned me. Nine months later, and after numerous courses of antibiotics, I was hospitalized for about three months, which resulted in my Sternum being removed, as it was harboring the infection, and due to the lack of a spleen, and reduced vascularization in the sternum, it was the only thing to do. This was a long and difficult recovery, but I made it through in pretty good shape (evidence is, most people don't really thrive after this).

(I've written much more about this, in an entry called "Last Year", which I'll eventually publish on this site, and provide a link).

Suffice it to say, that I've found that a good attitude and hard work is the key to getting through these things, but that can only take you so far.

During the depth of the surgeries and assorted other things that happened consequent to such a major infection, Rebecca and I really came to terms with my potential death, and how we/she would handle this.

If you know Rebecca (many reading this won't), you know how amazing she is. She's worked with many cancer patients, though her work at Commonweal, and her numerous award-winning cook books. She would call me her "rock", but really, she's mine. I have been unbelievably lucky in life, and particularly in my relationship with Rebecca.

I've really accomplished my life goals – my family is well looked after, I've had a very rewarding career in Tech; particularly the last 15 years working with some amazing people at the World WIde Web Consortium. If there's ever a good time to go out, it's now. Anything else would just be gravy on top.