What has been up with Jack?

I figured it was about time I posted something a bit more formal and clarifying on my class weblogs. Many of you know all the details, others are just picking up on scarce data, maybe a bit put off by asking questions due to what might be a touchy situation. So here's the story:

On October 21 I was admitted to Indiana Regional Medical Center (IRMC) to undergo some tests related to some potential gastrointestinal issues, with clearly a case of jaundice. During this 3 night stay at IRMC I was diagnosed with adenocarcinomas, or cancer of the pancreas. A little search on the googles and wikis you'd discover the prognosis is very dismal. Word spread among friends and family and apparently hundreds of prayer circles wherever my friends happen to be (I've been around so my friends are everywhere which makes facebook such an awesome thing keeping us connected.) On a more upbeat note, I was able to see a specialist at the Cleveland Clinic on Thursday, November 6. It was determined that the form of pancreatic cancer I have is actually neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer, or cancer of the islet cells of the pancreas. Although this is much more rare it is highly treatable and a much better prognosis. So to all of you who had me in thoughts and prayers, consider this to be an answer. I'm likely to survive this. It was over a week of hell actually thinking I had a death sentence, wondering what the best use would be of my now tanked TIAA-Cref retirement account I was thinking about closing out. But now i get to leave my retirement account in tact and hope the financial markets get a bit more bullish soon.

In the mean time I am on indefinite leave from work as my current pain treatments prevent me from performing my duties. Also, I have yet to be placed on a cancer treatment program (this is still in process of being determined). Please continue to pray for my strength to get through this treatment phase. Also in the mean time I've been instructed to gain some weight. Believe it or not in the last year I went from about 175 lbs to about 130 lbs. I don't have much more fat to lose. But having found a diagnosis, I am able to return to some of those yummy high fat, high caloric, high carbo, and high protein foods I have been skimping on. (Sorry if that makes many of you jealous ;-) but it is crucial to gain some pounds as I may be doing some chemo as part of my treatment.)

I will keep you updated from time to time. If you have specific questions please do not hesitate to message me via facebook or send me email (jjulian@iup.edu). Please keep facebook "wall" postings rather short and sweet and use the message system for longer notes or inquiries.

To my students: I'm so sorry I had to abandon you mid semester. I thought things were going very well and I was excited to continue. As you know, I love nothing more than a captive audience to talk about economic things, especially during these fascinating economic times. I do expect to be back in the classroom at the beginning of spring semester. I notice many of you have signed up for my sections in the spring so I hope to see you then. During the remainder of this semester you may see me around campus from time to time as that is needed to keep me sane and there are some things I am able to work on (research projects, letters of recommendation, etc.) but due to the nature of the current pain treatment, it has been determined unwise to return to the classroom. I hope to see you around campus anyway. And best of luck with the remainder of the semester.