At first they told us she might only make it a couple of weeks because the cancer was invading her bile duct causing her bilirubin to increase to a dangerous level. She died on May 25, 2006. I was so afraid to sleep during those months when she was still alive because I knew my time was limited and I was afraid to miss a moment with her. It is still surreal to me. I miss her so much, especially today, on Mother's Day. She was a wonderful, loving, caring person.

Once we were sitting in the car shortly after her diagnosis. I was crying and telling her how sorry I was for every time we ever had harsh words, or disagreed. She was crying, too. After I shared all of my love and pride and in her she turned to me and through tears she said, "I am sorry, too, but I tell ya, I am not sorry for one time I beat your ass!". We both started laughing and walked in the house arm in arm. She was my strength, my source of unconditional love, inspiration and hope. She taught me about faith and more than I could ever put into words. I didn't realize how prevalent pancreatic cancer is until recently. I would love to find something that I could do for my mom to help raise money for pancreatic cancer research. Thank you for sharing your story-it has made a difference in my quest to make a difference because of all that my mom has brought to my life and the lives of those around her.

D A

My Dad, Earl, called me in November of 2004, telling me he had pains in his stomach, and it was not going away. He lived 80 miles north of me, near the Wisconsin border in Illinois. I asked him to come to Chicago and we would get him tested at a University in downtown Chicago, but, he wanted to stay in the Rockford Illinois area which is where my Parents retired. One hospital sent him
home with an ennema. Still thinking about that one.  Finally, a group of gastro Doctors kept testing and testing. Finally, in August of 2005, after he lost all his muscle and weight, they found a 2 x 4cm tumor on his pancreas wrapped around his main artery…. The first hospital found a 1 cm tumor in April of 2005, and sent him home with an ennema.

He decided to fight with Gemcetibine chemo for a couple of months, about a month before he passed away they sent him home. He outlived every Doctor’s
expectation. He was a very strong man. My father had built elevators for a living. He had worked on almost every high rise in downtown Chicago. What a sad way to die. My Dad use to carry iron elevator rails by himself. All his fellow coworkers told me he was the hardest working man they knew. He survived raising 6 kids, and losing his beloved wife a few years earlier. So, lets find an
early detection for this horrific cancer.

G W

We are sorry of your loss. I think you are brave to do what you are doing now.

C P

"Please accept my sympathies" is such an inadequate statement for the wishes and prayers we want to offer to people who have
suffered losses. On the other hand, it is absolutely perfect in its simplicity and honesty. I can state this because my husband died of pancreatic cancer November 2, 2006 after being diagnosed June 14, 2006.

How wonderful that you are channeling your grief into fighting this insidious disease. Your hats are marvelous! You state that the net proceeds are given to the Lustgarten Foundation. I would like to know the amount at this time (I'm sure it is variable due to changing costs of material and labor.)

Our family has been impacted by cancer over and over again. We are sort of the walking sign board for cancer losses - breast, lung, multiple myeloma, pancreatic.  Although we donate to the individual research groups, I have become very active with the American Cancer Society which is devoted to all cancer research, public education, government advocacy and monetary and emotional support for cancer patients and their families. One of the major fundraisers is the Cattle Baron Ball which began in Dallas and now has spread to quite a few cities including mine, Akron, Ohio.  This will be our third year.  I would dearly love to wear your hat to the event (Stetsons and Stilettos is our
theme this year.)

I look forward to hearing from you. Good luck in your continuing endeavors.

M T

I lost my mother to pancreatic cancer 8 years ago today. We were best friends, and I miss her still every single day. Please give a white rose to someone you love, in memory of my mother, Mary.

Thanks and God Bless.

C J

Who was Rick "Lyons"?                                          

Rick Lyons was a man that touched many lives in a variety of ways. Rick lived a full life from serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War to being a fitness instructor at Peak Fitness. In January 2007 Rick, as he always did, thought of a new way to make a difference in other's lives by creating the very first Indoor Century Ride. The ride would last 5 hours averaging 20 miles an hour indoors to make up this 100 mile Century Ride at a cost of $100 per team. All proceeds were to be given to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.  Of course this was a huge undertaking but he immediately began the work required to make it happen. In February of 2006, Rick became ill with what doctors suspected was an ulcer. With no relief from a few days of medication, his doctor instructed him to have more blood work done on Monday, February 26, 2007.   But he did not make that appointment. At midnight on February 25th, his wife Mary took him to the hospital because he could no longer tolerate the feeling of fullness and discomfort that rendered him unable to eat or sleep. It was that morning that the doctors informed Rick and Mary that he had a mass on his pancreas, spots on his liver, and most likely it was pancreatic cancer. Three days later his diagnosis was confirmed and doctors left him and his family with little hope. The news of Rick's condition spread rapidly. The 150 visitors that rushed to Rick's side in just the first two days were overwhelming. Even though Rick received this devastating news, he continued to touch lives by ministering to his many visitors and caretakers, continuing the Lord's work. As I visited one evening, he asked his precious wife Mary to make sure she wrote a check for the ride that he had worked so hard to create. On Friday, March 16, 2007 Rick went home to be with the Lord. In his memory, even though very difficult, the ride went on as planned the very next day. This year we decided to make a few changes to the ride in his memory.  All proceeds will be given to The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic cancer.

M S