Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss, 47, revealed he underwent multiple surgeries going into the Christmas holiday season after odd occurrences and discolored urine helped doctors discover cancer in the bile duct between his pancreas and liver.
Although Moss did not reveal the type of cancer he was diagnosed with. However, he underwent a Whipple procedure, also called a pancreatoduodenectomy. This surgery is very complex, but its main objective is to remove tumors from the pancreas.
Moss is preparing for additional treatments, which involve chemotherapy and radiation.
To help you cope with an unexpected diagnosis, invite your close family and friends for added support. Also, consider adding a therapist to your support group to help process your thoughts and feelings.
Patients are encouraged to seek a support group, talk to a mental health professional, and keep their support team connected with your care team.
The holidays have extra special meaning for Hall of Fame pro football player Randy Moss, 47, as he is preparing to undergo chemotherapy for cancer discovered in the bile duct between his pancreas and liver.
“It’s by the grace of god that my liver started acting up, and then my urine started being discolored,” Moss said during a 16-minute Instagram Live video.
Moss is a two-time First-Team All-American who has played for the Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers, and Minnesota Vikings.
During Moss’ Instagram Live video, he’s seen wearing a hoodie with “Team Moss” plastered across with the “o” substituted with a cancer ribbon.
Moss’ early warning signs of cancer began after noticing problems with his liver and seeing his urine discolored. The football Hall of Famer took his concerns to his doctor, who helped him get answers.
“I had to go in and have a stent put in my liver for the doctors to be able to look inside to find out where the cancer was,” Moss said.
Moss did not reveal the exact type of cancer he was diagnosed with. However, he noted he underwent a Whipple procedure, also called a pancreatoduodenectomy. According to the National Institute of Health, this surgery is very complex, but its main objective is to remove tumors from the pancreas.
WATCH: Understanding pancreatic cancer.
Although a Whipple procedure can be used for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, Moss did not disclose his exact diagnosis.
Pancreatic cancer is more challenging to treat because symptoms usually don’t present until the cancer has spread or metastasized. Symptoms may include weight gain, back pain, and jaundice.
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 20: Wide receiver Randy Moss #84 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on while taking on the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on January 20, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
“I didn’t think I would ever be in a position like this, as healthy as I thought I was,” Moss said during his Instagram Live.
“Things took a turn for the worse, and I asked for my prayer warriors; I asked for my family to be able to surround me and put their hands on me through this trying time, and y’all best believe your boy came through.”
Moss’ treatment journey will include chemotherapy and radiation in the coming weeks and months ahead. He’s leaning on the ongoing support from his family and faith to help him through the cancer journey.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 06: Randy Moss interviews Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs and AFC before the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on February 06, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The AFC defeated the NFC 41-35. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Supportive fans wished the pro football Hall of Famer well and extended many prayers.
“Everyone rooting for Randy,” Instagram user and renowned sports reporter Adam Schefter commented.
“I’m two years into my cancer journey! Huge Vikings fan my whole life being from Minnesota! We’ve got this!” Instagram user Luke Williams commented.
Having faith can help keep your spirits high even during times of struggle. SurvivorNet experts also say it helps cancer patients during their cancer journeys.
New York City Presbyterian Pastor Tom Evans previously spoke with SurvivorNet about the importance of finding ways to cope with the complex web of feelings you may be experiencing after a challenging health diagnosis, such as cancer or a threatening tumor.
WATCH: SurvivorNetTV produced a special episode, “Turning to Faith,” in which we followed the journeys of four women who turned to faith to overcome their diagnoses.
“It’s important to reach out in a simple prayer to God, even if you’ve never prayed before, you don’t know what to say, a heartfelt plea, ‘God, help me, be with me,’” Pastor Evans told SurvivorNet.
“You can reach out to God, and you can reach out to people, your friends and family, and say, ‘I can’t do this on my own. I need you.’ “It’s in that willingness to be open and to receive that we can find something deeper that we never would’ve encountered without this hardship,” Evans continued.
A study published in Cancer showed that “69% of cancer patients reported praying for their health” compared to “only 45% of the general U.S. population.”
Cancer psychologist Dr. Andrew Kneier helped co-author “Coping with Cancer: Ten Steps toward Emotional Well-Being.” He also co-authored a column published by Stanford Medicine with Rabbi Jeffery M. Silberman, director of spiritual care at Danbury Hospital in Connecticut.
The two add more context to the impact faith has on cancer patients.
“A person’s faith or spirituality provides a means for coping with illness and reaching a deeper kind of inner healing,” Kneier and Silberman said.
“Coping means different things to different people: it can involve finding answers to the questions that illness raises, it can mean seeking comfort for the fears and pain that illness brings, and it can mean learning how to find a sense of direction at a time of illness. Religious teachings can help a person cope in all of these dimensions,” Kneier and Silberman continued.
Building Support, Staying Connected
If you were recently diagnosed with cancer, you likely know about the wide range of emotions that news can bring. This is one of the most challenging phases of the cancer journey to overcome.
However, a team of supporters can be most helpful during these early stages. Your supporters can be close family members, friends, or people outside your inner circle.
“Some people don’t need to go outside their circle of family and friends. ” New York-based psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik tells SurvivorNet they feel they have enough support there.
“But for people who feel like they need a little bit more, it is important to reach out to a mental health professional,” she added.
One benefit of having supporters is that they can help alleviate stress and anxiety following your diagnosis and advocate for you during treatment.
Sometimes, it is not always easy to share news you have cancer, even among loved ones. You can seek a trained professional to center your support group around such instances. Mental health professionals can help fill this space because many are trained to help you navigate your cancer treatment.
“Make sure that the mental health professional that you work with is reaching out with your consent to the rest of your team, to the oncologist, to the surgeon … it can also be helpful to reach out to family, friends, and any other caretakers that may be involved in the person’s treatment,” Dr. Plutchik said.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
When faced with a cancer diagnosis, it’s crucial to ask your doctor informed questions to understand your condition, treatment options, and coping strategies. These questions can serve as a starting point for your discussion with your doctor so you can feel empowered and informed as you navigate your cancer journey.
What type and stage of cancer do I have, and what does this mean for my prognosis?
What treatment options are available, and what are the potential benefits and risks?
How will the proposed treatment plan impact my daily life, including work, family, and social activities?
Are there any clinical trials or experimental treatments I may be eligible for?
How can I manage treatment side effects and maintain my overall well-being during treatment?
How will my cancer diagnosis and treatment affect my emotional health, and what support resources are available to help me cope?
