New Medicine?

Hello,Russ, I had surgery in May that removed 40% of my pancreas and my spleen. Since it was a contained small non agressive cancerous tumor, I decided to wait before doing chemo and radiation. There are now some cancer cells showing up on the PET scan exactly where the surgery occurred and my CA-19 marker is elevated. I am planning to start 5FU and radiation for 4 weeks. You mentioned that it was devestating and wonder if you can tell me what your experience was with this drugs. Did any drugs help you with being sick from the drugs?

I am still stage I pancreatic cancer and am hoping to beat the odds. I am doing alternative things like hynotherapy, lots of vitamins, accupuncture. I do have to take digestive enzymes and I certainly don't eat alot nor have much of an appetite. I worry about keeping my strenght up while doing chemo/radiation. Any advise? This is the first time I have used this site. Thank you

Hello, Russ, this is the first time I have used this. I had surgery in May and about 40% of my pancrease (tail) and my spleen were removed. It was a small non agressive tumor so I decided to try other alternative things before chemo/radiation. My markers are going up and PET scan indicates cancer cells at site of surgery so I am going to start 4 weeks of 5FU and radiation. You mentioned it was devastating and wonder what you meant by that. Did you take anything to offset side effects? Were you able to eat? I am 56 and in basically good health. This is still stage I pancreatic cancer and I am hoping to beat the odds and have many years of living.

I am also doing hynotherapy, naturopathic care and am thinking of accupuncture. So would like to know if you incorporated anything else into your recovery. Thanks Diane

Hi, Russ, this is the first time I am using this. I had surgery in May and 40% of my pancreas (tail) and my spleen were removed. I only did alternative care for the last many months but now my markers are elevated and my PET scan shows cancer cells at the site. I am 56. So I am starting 5FU and radiation for 4 weeks. You said that it was devastating and wonder what you meant by that. Were side effects terrible? Did you receive any medication that helped? Were you able to eat?

I still have stage I Pancreatic cancer and am hoping to be a survivor. Congratulations to you and thank you for sharing.
Diane

Hello, Russ, thisis the first time I have used this. I had surgery in May and about 40% of my pancreas (tail) and my spleen were removed. It was a small non aggressive tumor so I decided to try other alternative things before chemo/radiation. My markers are going up and PET scan indicates cncer cells at site of surgery so I am going to start 4 week of 5FU and radiation. I am 56 and in basically good health. You mentioned it was devastating and wonder what you meant by that. Did you take anything to offset side effects? Were you able to eat? I am still in stage I pancreatic cancer and am hoping to beat the odds and have many years of living. I am also doing hypnotherapy, naturopathic care and thinking about accupuncture. So I would like to know if you incorporated anything else into your recovery. Than you very much. Sincerely, Diane

Hey Russ,

My 62 year old mom was diagnosed with pc over the christmas holiday and is scheduled for a whipple procedure at U-Penn this Monday. She is very scared and upset. I will share your note with her and be there for here.

I hope you continue to have more successes in your recovery. You have done folks a world of good through your e-mails.

Any thoughts, ideas, websites, etc. you could recommend would be appreciated. I've been to the Penn website, the Hopkins website, etc.

Thanks and God Bless.

Craig

Dear Diane R.
I saw that you sent at least five messages, (all the same), but today is the first time that I received notification.

I am sorry to hear that you declined chemo and radiation treatments in the beginning. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers out there. In any case, with regard to my treatments being so devastating, it was because of the protocol of 24 hour infusion of chemo at the same time as 5 days a week of radiation. The nausea was terrible for me...it may not be as bad for you. Everyone reacts differently. There was nothing that helped me with my nausea or vomitting. I tried kytril, compazine, adavan, and some others. In the end the doctors even tried marinol, (the closest thing you can get to marijuana and still be legal...that didn't work either. In addition I had a battle with mouth sores, red hands, and extreme fatigue. But to me the alternative was much worse.

As far as keeping up your strength...bed rest is probably your best bet. During treatments you are going to need to get as much rest as possible. It is also important that you try to eat something. The best thing for me to eat during all of this was a bowl of Cheerios with half a banana.

At stage I...I would think that you have a very good chance of beating the odds...look at me; I was stage III and I am a four year survivor.

Good luck to you and I will pray for your recovery. Again, my personal email address is probably the best for further communication. Please do not hesitate to contact me at anytime with any questions. I know how difficult this can be at times. I am also a member of the Gilda's Club. Take care...Russ

Dear Craig K.
It is so sad to hear of the struggles of someone who has been stricten with pancreatic cancer. I know the anxiety that both of you are going through right now...and I wish there were some magical words that I could say to make you and your mother feel better. There are no words, but my prayers are with you both.

If you go to the website: americancancer.com and then at the bottom of this site type in pancreatic cancer, it will take you to several other sites that deal with pancreatic cancer. I am also a member of PanCan.org. It is an orginization that works out of California, (with several local representatives across the country). They raise money for research, and lobby Congress for the same. They are also trying to get Congress to declare November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. They may have other services that may be of help to you and your mother.

In any case...please let me know as quickly as possible how your mother's surgery goes.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at anytime. I only hope that I can be of further assistance to you. Sometimes it helps a lot just to be able to tell your story.

My prayers are with your mother...Russ

Hi Russ,
My Father in law turned jaundiced New Years Day. He went to Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia to get checked out. They found that his bile duct was blocked causing the jaundice. They attempted to place a stent in the bile duct but were unsuccesful. They did an ultrasound and found nothing. They did an MRI and found a 1.5 cm mass on the head of the Pancreas. I don't believe a biopsy has been done yet. Anyway his been there for about a week now and the doctors still haven't found anything conclusive. Basically still scratching their heads. One surgean did mention something about possible surgery. Is it possible the mass found on the x-ray is not cancerous. Were hoping thats the case.

You mentioned your doctor was Ernest Rosato from Univ of Penn. My Father in Laws doctor is Ernest Rosato of Thomas Jefferson. Is this the same doctor? Apparently he is the son of Francis Rosato.

I am glad to hear you are doing well.

Thanks,

Andrew

Hi Russ,

My Father in law turned Jaundiced New Years Day. He went to Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia to get checked out. They found that his bile duct was blocked causing the jaundice. They attempted to place a stent in the bile duct but were unsuccesful. They did an ultrasound and found nothing. They did an MRI and found a 1.5cm mass on the head of the Pancreas. I don't believe a biopsy has been done yet. Anyway his been there for about a week now and the doctors still haven't found anything conclusive. Basically still scratching their heads. One surgean did mention something about possible surgery. Is it possible the mass found on the x-ray is not cancerous. Were hoping thats the case.

You mentioned your doctor was Ernest Rosato from Univ of Penn. My Father in Laws doctor is Ernest Rosato of Thomas Jefferson. Is this the same doctor. Apparently he is the son of Francis Rosato.

I am glad to hear you are doing well.

Thanks,

Andrew

Andrew B.

Get to Dr. Ernest Rosato...affiliated with U-Penn. He and his team will give you the straight answer and discuss alternatives. Don't wait. Call his office and get an appointment. Go to this website for more information.

http://www.pennhealth.com/Wagform/MainPage.aspx?config=provi

Good luck.
Craig