Lessons about pancreatic cancer and triathlon

When I started this blog several years ago, my concept was that I would write about my training and racing, and all of the lessons I learned from it. Hence, my tagline: Learning about life while pushing the limits of the body. 

At the outset, there was no way I could have understood just how significant some of these lessons would become.

Today, I’m writing from my mother’s bedside. She’s been hospitalized, again, as a result of the complications of pancreatic cancer and its treatment.

This time, it’s dehydration, which is not uncommon in cancer patients, nor is this the first time my mom’s had an issue with it. Dehydration is particularly concerning for those undergoing chemotherapy or with cancers affecting the digestive tract. Well, my mom fits both of these descriptions.

Wow – what a lottery to win.

As a result of the chemotheraphy and the nature of the tumor, my mom frequently dry heaves or vomits. She is rarely hungry and feels bloated all of the time. To make matters worse, for months, my mother’s been dealing with stomach cramping, which none of the doctors have been able to explain adequately – and we have to yet to find a satisfactory method for managing the pain caused by this cramping.

This cramping, along with the other symptoms, has wreaked havoc on her ability to eat and drink properly.

So, here we sit. She has severe electrolyte imbalances, specifically extremely low levels of potassium and magnesium.

This morning, I watched as the nurse hooked up the IV, which would allow for a slow drip of potassium and magnesium, bringing her levels back into a safe range.

Hmmm. Wait a minute. Cramping? Electrolytes? I understand something about this!

Is it possible that she’s had low levels of potassium and magnesium for months, which has intensified her pain, contributing to the cramping? I realize that pancreatic cancer is painful, and that low electrolytes aren’t her only issue. But, in that moment as the nurse carefully hooked the bag to the stand, I wondered if electrolytes, especially potassium, might be part of the issue.

I already knew how dehydration and electrolyte imbalances could affect the athlete’s body in training and racing. I thought of muscle propecia cramping on the race course, and salt tabs and endurolytes. I thought of the rows of athletes I’d seen in the medical tent, hooked up to IVs.

Different situations, yes, but might my mom’s cramping, bloating and discomfort come a similar root? I thought that maybe, just maybe I might have learned something that was useful for life outside of triathlon.

I frequently joke that I’m not a medical doctor but I play one on the internet because of all the Googling I do of my symptoms, and now my mother’s symptoms. In this case, I didn’t necessarily need Google. I know that dehydration and whacked levels of electrolytes cause cramping.

But, was it the same in the case of a cancer patient? So, I Googled “low potassium pancreatic cancer.” (Gotta love wifi in the hospital!)

Sure enough,various sites attested to a correlation between  low levels of potassium and pancreatic cancer patients. I visited the official medical sites. I read through various caregiver and survivor forums. All of these suggested that electrolyte imbalances might be contributing to her cramping, irregular heart rhythm (another symptom my mother has had), and muscle weakness.

Now, I watch my mother sleep, and I wait for the doctor to make his rounds. I want to ask him if my hunch might be right, or if I’m simply trying to fix something that can’t be fixed.

I know I can’t force my mother’s cancer into remission, nor can I make her pain disappear. I realize, now more than ever, that pancreatic cancer is an ugly beast. But, if I can help her, with something as simple as a banana a day, well then, I really have learned something important about life while pushing the limits of my body.

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My 2012 season is dedicated to raising money to support Gilda’s Club. I’m doing this in honor of the battle my mother is fighting. If you would like to help me reach my goal of raising $5000 by the end of the year, please click here to find out how you can donate. This site receives an average of 1,000 visitors a month. If everyone donated $5, I’d be there. Thanks for your consideration!

 

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