Police Officer Ret. #17311
In January 2007, I was diagnosed with “Pancreatic Cancer”. My Doctors discovered a cancerous tumor located on the head of my pancreas along with other cancer markers. I was referred to USC/Norris Cancer Center downtown Los Angeles and assigned to Dr. Dilip Parekh, Surgeon, USC/ Keck School of Medicine, Department of Surgery.
Dr Pareka recommended surgery so a you can imagine my wife and i were really scared and uncertain what lie ahead. I underwent surgery at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena in February 2007 and because of complications I remained in the hospital for the entire month of
February 2007.
Prior to my hospitalization and surgery, my Wife, Jackie, became my Care Taker during this crisis. Jackie and Lily Ruff, (LAPCSG Board Member), were friends in high school and Lily invited me to attend the LAPCSG’s monthly meeting at the Police Academy. I attended for the first time in January 2007. I retired from the Los Angeles Police Department in 1992 but have always considered LAPD as my second Family and the Cancer Support Group has offered me and my Family the Hope and Understanding of this terrible disease called “Cancer”.
This sounds so simple, however, when I was at a very venerable time in my Chemotherapy treatment Lily sent me a card of encouragement, it is called “Face of a Lion”. This is one of the things I have learned from the Cancer Support Group is that you do not need to be a doctor to help others. Family and friendship is what life is about. Lily I will never forget your kindness and thoughts, you are a special lady.
After my medical release from Huntington Hospital, I returned to my home where I completed six months of “Chemotherapy Treatments” at Cancer Care Associates, Redondo Beach. I still attended the monthly meetings for moral support and to receive information on this disease and treatment from others.
I know I am one of the lucky ones because on October 10, 2007, I received news from my Oncology Doctor that my Blood Tests along with my C/T Scans indicated that my Cancer is in remission for now I now think back only ten months ago I had very little hope and thought the end was near thank God I along with others was wrong.
I strongly urge those who have been diagnosed with this terrible disease to join us in our journey as we may be able to reduce the burdens of you and your caregiver as you live with and fight cancer. So, come and take part in the Los Angeles Police Cancer Support Group. I can assure you that you will not only gain knowledge to help yourself but you have knowledge from your cancer experience to help others as well.
I would also like to thank my loving Wife and Care Taker, my Family, Sergeant Michael Apodaca, Mrs. Lily Ruff and Father Frank Hicks for being there, with encouragement, for me during my illness.
For the remainder of my journey I hope I can give to others, that have given to me, so that their “Journey” will be filled with “Hope and Understanding”.
