Miracles DO happen

I am almost afraid to write this b/c it is so wonderful, but I think people who are diagnosed with this disease need to hear good things, too. My brother was diagnosed and the whipple was attempted but they were unable to do it so they rearranged some parts/organs (and I think they put in a stint.) and sewed him back up. The prognosis was not good at all. We were not supposed to have him for very long at all. He then had radiation and after that, he had chemo. He is still with us almost two years later and he has a very, very good quality of life. Not only is he free of pain, but he is living a good life. He has, for the first time in his adult life, had the time to stop and smell the roses...and he IS!!!!  I think he is enjoying himself. He is doing many kind and loving things for others and he seems happy, actually happier than he has been in many years...even before the illness. We are very grateful for every day that we have him with us and especially that he does not seem sick at all. Yes, it's there but it is very small and is apparently being kept at bay. If it rears its ugly head again, he'll fight it again; and in the meantime, we will all pray for him and with him. 

Yes, yes miracles do happen! What a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing! Is your brother still on any chemo? Any alternative treatment ? How often does he has his follow up CT scans? Forgive me all this questions. My story is very similar to your brother, only it has been only a year since I'm off any treatment and today I had my latest CT scan report and it's clean! My doctor thinks that I could have now  my check-ups every six months. but I said that I want to stick to 3 months and she agreed. I'm so excited but I know that it can back any time. I working full time (medical insurance) and I treasure every day. All the best to your brother. Maria

My brother had to go back on another round of chemo (different cocktail) about two months ago. The blood marker they were watching was at the same relatively low level but the tumor, which had reduced to non discernible in size,  started to be seen.  He was going every week or two, I'm not really sure ...b/c he feels so well, he goes by himself. Anyway, he'd been invited to a wedding in FL and the doctor told him to get on that plane and go...so he did. He missed one session with doctor's approval but got right back to it when he got home. He is doing SO well. He does have very badly peeling feet sometimes and he always has neuropathy (very cold, tingling fingers) but that seems to be the worst of it. 

 I am happy that you are well. Enjoy. THAT (enjoying each day) seems to be what is keeping my brother healthy. At least that is what I believe.  

Evelyn 

Thank you, Evelyn. I very happy that your brother is doing so well and I wish him all the best.

Hugs, Maria

On 5/7/2007 Crickett46 wrote:

My brother had to go back on another round of chemo (different cocktail) about two months ago. The blood marker they were watching was at the same relatively low level but the tumor, which had reduced to non discernible in size,  started to be seen.  He was going every week or two, I'm not really sure ...b/c he feels so well, he goes by himself. Anyway, he'd been invited to a wedding in FL and the doctor told him to get on that plane and go...so he did. He missed one session with doctor's approval but got right back to it when he got home. He is doing SO well. He does have very badly peeling feet sometimes and he always has neuropathy (very cold, tingling fingers) but that seems to be the worst of it. 

 I am happy that you are well. Enjoy. THAT (enjoying each day) seems to be what is keeping my brother healthy. At least that is what I believe.  

 

Evelyn 

would it be possible to fine out what this new chemo is.  It would help to talk with our own drs about it.

thanks

On 5/4/2007 Crickett46 wrote:

I am almost afraid to write this b/c it is so wonderful, but I think people who are diagnosed with this disease need to hear good things, too. My brother was diagnosed and the whipple was attempted but they were unable to do it so they rearranged some parts/organs (and I think they put in a stint.) and sewed him back up. The prognosis was not good at all. We were not supposed to have him for very long at all. He then had radiation and after that, he had chemo. He is still with us almost two years later and he has a very, very good quality of life. Not only is he free of pain, but he is living a good life. He has, for the first time in his adult life, had the time to stop and smell the roses...and he IS!!!!  I think he is enjoying himself. He is doing many kind and loving things for others and he seems happy, actually happier than he has been in many years...even before the illness. We are very grateful for every day that we have him with us and especially that he does not seem sick at all. Yes, it's there but it is very small and is apparently being kept at bay. If it rears its ugly head again, he'll fight it again; and in the meantime, we will all pray for him and with him. 

 

 

Could you tell me a little more about how your brother overcame this disease? My husband is not doing well at all with his operation. {sounds like the same thing he went through} He has had stomach pain ever since his operation, not eating well, throwing up a lot, and losing weight. He is on chemo, they didn't do radiation. He has had 2 treatments already but now he has hiccup like spasms. He is just miserable.

On 5/4/2007 Crickett46 wrote:

I am almost afraid to write this b/c it is so wonderful, but I think people who are diagnosed with this disease need to hear good things, too. My brother was diagnosed and the whipple was attempted but they were unable to do it so they rearranged some parts/organs (and I think they put in a stint.) and sewed him back up. The prognosis was not good at all. We were not supposed to have him for very long at all. He then had radiation and after that, he had chemo. He is still with us almost two years later and he has a very, very good quality of life. Not only is he free of pain, but he is living a good life. He has, for the first time in his adult life, had the time to stop and smell the roses...and he IS!!!!  I think he is enjoying himself. He is doing many kind and loving things for others and he seems happy, actually happier than he has been in many years...even before the illness. We are very grateful for every day that we have him with us and especially that he does not seem sick at all. Yes, it's there but it is very small and is apparently being kept at bay. If it rears its ugly head again, he'll fight it again; and in the meantime, we will all pray for him and with him. 

 

 

I'm so sorry for your husband's outcome so far. My brother couldn't get the operation b/c the tumor was growing around an important artery and they couldn't get to it safely, so they didn't. They did do a stint and take out some of what I think was his colon. That was a horrible (to look at) wound, but he didn't complain too much of pain. It was scary but he did heal. I don't remember hiccups. He is having no trouble with his stomach and eats whatever he wants. 

Good luck. 

On 5/4/2007 Crickett46 wrote:

I am almost afraid to write this b/c it is so wonderful, but I think people who are diagnosed with this disease need to hear good things, too. My brother was diagnosed and the whipple was attempted but they were unable to do it so they rearranged some parts/organs (and I think they put in a stint.) and sewed him back up. The prognosis was not good at all. We were not supposed to have him for very long at all. He then had radiation and after that, he had chemo. He is still with us almost two years later and he has a very, very good quality of life. Not only is he free of pain, but he is living a good life. He has, for the first time in his adult life, had the time to stop and smell the roses...and he IS!!!!  I think he is enjoying himself. He is doing many kind and loving things for others and he seems happy, actually happier than he has been in many years...even before the illness. We are very grateful for every day that we have him with us and especially that he does not seem sick at all. Yes, it's there but it is very small and is apparently being kept at bay. If it rears its ugly head again, he'll fight it again; and in the meantime, we will all pray for him and with him. 

 

 

I'm so sorry for your husband's outcome so far. My brother couldn't get the operation b/c the tumor was growing around an important artery and they couldn't get to it safely, so they didn't. They did do a stint and take out some of what I think was his colon. That was a horrible (to look at) wound, but he didn't complain too much of pain. It was scary but he did heal. I don't remember hiccups. He is having no trouble with his stomach and eats whatever he wants. 

Good luck.