My Story
It all started when Curtis, my husband, had gallstones in March 2024 and his gallbladder was removed in April 2024. He kept having blockages in his bile duct which was thought to be sludge and build up of bile. It was becoming suspicious, so after several ERCPs (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography), a biopsy was done in September 2024.
Curtis was diagnosed with bile duct cancer. To complicate things, we also found out he has a liver disease called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC). Sadly there is no cure for PSC, and bile duct cancer is rare and aggressive.
Curtis had whipple surgery (major life changing surgery) in December 2024 and it was successful.
When chemotherapy and immunotherapy were planned to begin in February 2025, tests showed the cancer spread to his liver, abdomen, and lymph nodes so it's considered Stage 4. Chemo and immunotherapy was given over 8 cycles (15 treatments) at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. After cycle 6 and new scans were performed, we found out most tumors were shrinking! However, one grew so SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy, a form of targeted radiation) was given in July 2025 at Lakeridge Hospital in Oshawa. He is planning to begin maintenance immunotherapy in September 2025.
In partnership with the Canadian Cholangiocarcinoma Collaborative (C3), molecular testing was performed on Curtis’ tumour biopsy, but the results came back negative for any targetable mutations.
At the same time, we were chasing around our 1 and a half year old and I was pregnant with our 2nd daughter who was born less than a month before Curtis's whipple surgery. Fun fact - we planned a home birth to make sure Curtis could be present for it, and he delivered our baby! Unfortunately I was unable to attend his treatments with him since I am breastfeeding, however we have an amazing support system and family and friends have stepped up.
In May 2025, we participated in Dr. Terry May's Vile Bile 5km Walk as a family and raised $10,000! We will always support C3 in any way we can to raise awareness of all they do.
This September, I’ll be an Ambassador for the first-ever CholangioCycle Challenge.
I ride for my family 💚
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