My mom has terminal stage IV pancreatic cancer. Visit "Help Zenny Fight Pancreatic Cancer" to see mo

Hi friends, I haven't been as active on the forums and writing articles lately, and it's time to share with you why.

My mom is battling terminal stage IV pancreatic cancer. The prognosis has no cure, and it will kill her, but she's fighting to beat the odds every day.

She does chemo every day, for 14 straight days at a time, then gets one week off to recover, and that cycle repeats.

We kept it from most people since her diagnosis. But its time now to let people know.

I started a fundraiser where you can see pictures from the 11 months, and also donate if you're able, and share the link with others if you can as well.

http://www.giveforward.com/helpzennyfightpancreaticcancer

There's also a video and song I hope people take the time to watch as well.

It's been a year I won't ever be able to really explain or understand. But I want to thank everyone who visits this site and helps however they can.

Life isn't fair we all know this one way or another, but my mom has shown me more this year than I've learned all my life.

She's shown me what unwavering courage, strength, determination, and purpose really is. And she truly is my hero.

Thanks again to everyone. And oh by the way expect some cool articles and interviews coming soon. Just had to put much of it on the back burner the past few months. I'm the only family my mom has, and there's nothing you won't do for someone you love as we all know.

I'll be posting updates and pictures on my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/thegreekgrind and sometimes on twitter https://twitter.com/TheGreekGrind

And here is mom's fundraiser site once more http://www.giveforward.com/helpzennyfightpancreaticcancer

Best to everyone through these holidays and into the new year.

Make every moment count.

Pete

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKRWMNZpkvc&feature=plcp

Zenny Pappas is battling terminal stage IV pancreatic cancer. Please help her continue on in her fight against this devastating disease.

https://secure.givef...m/donate/45168/

I’d like to tell you a little bit about someone named Zenny. She’s in her 11th month of an ongoing battle with terminal metastatic stage IV pancreatic cancer. She’s a senior. She’s a widow. She's my mom. And she’s my hero.

For those who don’t know, pancreatic cancer is rare and lethal. Of the 38,000 new people diagnosed with it every year, tragically about 36,000 results in death.

It's known as the silent killer because it usually spreads before ever being detected. The average life expectancy for patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer is three to six months. Only three percent survive to five years.

My mom was diagnosed with terminal stage IV pancreatic cancer just days after her birthday. She was not a candidate for surgery because the tumor in her pancreas had already spread to her liver.

You might be familiar with the stories of actor Patrick Swayze, Apple founder Steve Jobs, Carnegie Mellon University professor Randy Pausch, or members of former President Jimmy Carter’s family, who have all publicly battled this same pancreatic cancer.

My mom’s been receiving chemotherapy continuously, almost every week since her diagnosis 11 months ago. It’s what keeps her alive, and keeps the cancer from growing.

Her treatment schedule now consists of chemotherapy every day, for 14 straight days, then one week off to recover and rest. This cycle then repeats continuously.

Her courage, her strength, and her grace are just amazing.

But to say these past 11 months have been emotionally, physically, and financially devastating would be an understatement of enormous proportions. It goes far beyond that.

My mom worked until she was no longer able to. I do everything I can to take care of her. I'm the only family she has. But all resources have been completely exhausted now. And insurance was never enough to cover the astronomical costs of treatments and associated costs from the beginning.

It’s impossible to not worry, I know she does. And financial hardship makes fighting the vulgarity of cancer even more grueling, and more inhumane.

But not a single time have I heard my mom complain about any of it. Not one time. I’ve seen her cry of course. But I’ve seen her laugh far more often. My mom doesn’t mourn cancer. She fights it. And for every precious moment of life she has, I know she is profoundly grateful.

To be sure, she’s always been like that. It’s who she is. And even the scourge of cancer can’t take that from her. I’ve honestly never witnessed someone with as much heart as my mom has, on so many levels.

But she needs help going forward in her battle against this cancer.

And so I hope this page and pictures and video from the past 11 months give you a glimpse of who she is, how hard she continues to fight every single day, and why she needs your help.

Your donations will go towards Zenny's medical treatments and associated costs, and allow her to continue her fight for life. Thank you for your support, your encouragement, and your love.

And from Zenny:

“Give your loved one an extra kiss tonight. Spoil your kids more. Tell your family and friends how grateful you are they’re in your life. The love of family and friends is the most precious gift you’ll ever know.

And don’t ever give up.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and your prayers. It means everything to me.”

Zenny

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll.

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley

I'm so very sorry to hear about that- I can attest first hand the difficulty of this horrible disease as my mom succumbed to the very same just two years ago. As I'm certain you've heard it many times, I'll refrain from the obvious talking points- I'll I will say is that I was lucky in my situation as I got to spend the better part of the last three months with her. I truly hope you get the same...

Best of luck- I hope it goes as well as possible.

PM if you feel the need...

David

Definitely sympathize with you, man. My grandmother went through the same thing. I offer her, you, and your family every bit of encouragement that I can and my prayers. Hoping for the best.

I lost my Mom to pancreatic cancer in December of last year. I was lucky in that I got to spend every day with her from the day she was diagnosed until she passed. As your post indicates - you know the outcome. You'll cherish every last minute you spend with her. It will be a trying time but you'll never regret being there through all of it.

David, Pedron, lumberman ... sincerely ... thank you for wishing my mom the best. And I'm very grateful so many people cheer her on and offer her contant encouragement, support, love, and prayer.

Happy Thanksgiving gents.

And I'm certain yes that Thanksgiving dinner will be cherished and as memorable as each day has been since her diagnosis.

Best,
Pete

Hoping the best for you and your mother.

I've read this like 5 times, and just don't know what to say. When you lose someone you love, on some level I guess you realize that it's just part of life, but it still sucks. I'm so sorry for your mom having to struggle, and so happy she has you by her side to hold her up as best as you can. Cherish the moments, and be thankful for having such a strong woman to call mom.