not a whipple candidate

Hello,

so many of the posts, I guess most, talk about people having had the whipple procedure. My father was diagnosed with stage IV Pan.and cells in liver, in March. He was not a candidate for any surgery due to the tumor being wrapped around his aurota. He is undergoing Gemzar and Tarceva. His last CT was 2 weeks ago. No "new findings" the tumor looked very much the same, so his Oncologist says his disease is stable. My Dad is very very tired all of the time, he has become quit reclusive, other than wanting to see my self and my sister, and his grand children, he will not go out or take visitors much at all. He was over weight prior to his illness, which by the way began with a diagnosis of Diabetes, due to the tumor .  He has lost almost 70 pounds.  He recently started and anti depressant, against his desire, we begged. I guess what I want to know, is, is there anyone who has followed this course? And at the age of 60, I wonder how long he can and will be able to mentally and physically handle chemo, or it will work. I know this is lenghty and kind of vague. Thanks to  anyone who reads and answers

On 8/3/2007 Jena1 wrote:

Hello,

so many of the posts, I guess most, talk about people having had the whipple procedure. My father was diagnosed with stage IV Pan.and cells in liver, in March. He was not a candidate for any surgery due to the tumor being wrapped around his aurota. He is undergoing Gemzar and Tarceva. His last CT was 2 weeks ago. No "new findings" the tumor looked very much the same, so his Oncologist says his disease is stable. My Dad is very very tired all of the time, he has become quit reclusive, other than wanting to see my self and my sister, and his grand children, he will not go out or take visitors much at all. He was over weight prior to his illness, which by the way began with a diagnosis of Diabetes, due to the tumor .  He has lost almost 70 pounds.  He recently started and anti depressant, against his desire, we begged. I guess what I want to know, is, is there anyone who has followed this course? And at the age of 60, I wonder how long he can and will be able to mentally and physically handle chemo, or it will work. I know this is lenghty and kind of vague. Thanks to  anyone who reads and answers

I wish I could help you but I have not yet had an upcoming Whipple--so I'm new to this disease.  I can maybe suggest ritalin for depression. I have had severe liver disease and depression for past 13 years--and non of the SSRI's worked----but ritalin does.  --if you take 60mg a day.  Just a wild and crazy thought.   - - - -I pray that he can find some mental clarity in his final days.

Redbear