Living Between the Scans - David H Robb

Dave Robb is a father of twin sons, husband, and pancreatic cancer survivor. Diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer at age forty-four, just weeks after his pre-school-aged sons turned five, Dave and his family have survived an unlikely medical quest that has become a journey of terrifying truths, proud accomplishments, support from unexpected places, spiritual discovery, humor, and treasured family triumphs. Born in Saint Louis, Missouri, Dave wandered extensively before returning with his wife, Sabrina Deatrick Robb, to his hometown to settle down and start a family. Dave is an entrepreneur, small business owner, gardener, yoga novice, swimmer, cancer research fundraiser, modest watch collector, terrible golfer, and jack of many trades but master of none. Despite his varied professional endeavors and life adventures, nothing could have prepared him for the reality of fighting cancer and learning to live between the scans.

Living Between the Scans is a candid and sometimes humorous first-hand account of the author's pancreatic cancer journey. From an initial diagnosis of stage four adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, a crucially encouraging second opinion, a year of treatment, surgery, through to recovery and survivorship, Dave Robb takes his readers along with him in blog post form. Along the way we learn about the side effects of Gemcitabine and Abraxane, FOLFIRINOX, and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The medical portion of the story culminates with a Whipple procedure (pancreatoduodenectomy) in early 2014 to remove the cancerous tumor in Dave's pancreas along with a good portion of his digestive system. However, the true story is Dave's growing realization that beating pancreatic cancer goes far beyond the disease itself; beating cancer is learning to live between the scans. Whether you are beginning your cancer journey, are a longtime cancer survivor, a caregiver, or a friend or loved one touched by any illness, this book offers a perspective on choosing hope, striving to be a better parent and spouse, and finding greater meaning in the journey