Treatment

Help! 

I am a 195 lb, 6'1, 68 year old retired firefighter with pancreatic cancer. I have been denied surgery from the two leading hospitals because "it involve an artery" My only symptoms are back pain lying down which has subsided, and now the bowel movement issue along with lack of appetite... M.D.Anderson has me scheduled for a session with an Oncologist on Tues 7/03/07...What are my chances at The Cancer Treatment Centers Of America, and what can I do in the meantime?

      Respectfully,

      Herman
 

Herman, I can only tell you my situation as everyone is different with this cancer. I am 55 years old female diagnosed in March 07.  My only symptom was a backache and it was so severe I could not sleep lying down.  I was on up to 80 mg of Oxycodone 3 x daily with breakthrough throughout the day.   I eventually had a Celiac Pain block which took the pain away 100% and with that the constipation also.  I am almost weaned off all of the Oxycodone.  This has made my quality of life so great and I am enjoying my summer.  I  am also unoperatable and at first I was given less than 1 year to live.   I was put into a Clinical Trial with Gemzar 2 weeks on and one week off and Radiation for 5 weeks 5 X a week.   From what I read on message boards and information I found out here and there, I am hoping it will prolong my life another 8 to 12 months.  But I can tell you that I am doing fine and enjoying what time I have left and making every minute count,                              Take care,      Janice

Hi Janice;

              Glad you are out of your pain, and really hope you find a cure. I really thought this message board had something to do with the Cancer Treatment Centers Of America, and their patient's updates on the operations they had at their C.T.C.A.,etc, as that is where I got this Message board from. I guess not, because I haven't read their name mentioned yet.

                  Respectfully Heman