Swelling from Pancreatic Cancer

Hi

My spouse, 57,  was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April 2007.  He had a Whipple surgery - 30% of his pancreas was removed - a 2.5 cm tumour blocking the bile duct.  In the biopsy, there was a trace of cancer cells in the lymph.  He has an awesome surgeon and he was out of the hospital in 9 days.

He started his preventive chemo on Jun 26 with Gemzar.  After the 2nd treatment, we noticed that his calves and feet are swollen.  He has been given a cream and a diuretic.  When he keeps his legs raised, the swelling is reduced. His calves have tripled in size and it is hard for him to walk.  After his surgery, he had been walking about 1 hour a day.

He started his radiation and an oral chemo with Xeloda.  His swelling is still bad. The oncologist said 20% people get it as a side effect to the Gemzar... but not sure what will happen now.  Any suggestions or ideas?

By the way, blood clots, pneumonia, meningitis had all been eliminated as a possibility.

Carol

On 7/26/2007 Gbr44 wrote:

Hi, my mom also has experienced the swelling in legs, and we too were told it was from the chemo.  She also had the whipple, in April 06, and lot of chemo, including Gemzar.  Cancer has spread to liver, but at 75 years old, she is fighting strong.  Good luck.  This site has been very helpful to me.  You have a tough road ahead.

Thanks for the support. By Tues of this week, he was able to wear tied shoes! The swelling went down 99%.  He had his 8th Radiation today.  No side affects yet.  Does nap every day, tho. He always believed he was gonna live to over 100!  Now, I guess, it's only 99! :-)

He feels really good today!

Carol 

On 7/26/2007 Gbr44 wrote:

Hi, my mom also has experienced the swelling in legs, and we too were told it was from the chemo.  She also had the whipple, in April 06, and lot of chemo, including Gemzar.  Cancer has spread to liver, but at 75 years old, she is fighting strong.  Good luck.  This site has been very helpful to me.  You have a tough road ahead.

Are you my sister?  My mom also had the whipple in April 06 and now has mets to the liver.  She is also 75, 76 this month.  She is fighting, but getting weaker.  She just started a new clinical study with Xeloda and 2 IV chemos.  Good luck to you, you've got a friend in me.

Hello,

 My Mom's anckles were swelling long before chemo.

On 9/23/2007 mypie wrote:

Hello,

 My Mom's anckles were swelling long before chemo.

 

Thanks for the note. My husband reacted to the Gemzar and it was during this past summer ... high humidity and heat.  At the end of the 3 gemzar sessions, he started radiation and an oral chemo.  About 10 days later, the swelling went down.

He just barely had the first of 3 weeks of Gemzar again.  2nd treatment had been delayed one week because his white blood count was low.  But other than that, he is doing really fine.

Planning a motorcycle get-away for October. 

Happy wife!