Need positive thoughts...Dad and his Whipple....help...

Hi there....

I'm scared half-to-death.

My dad was diagnosed a few weeks ago with PC and it is stage IIB.

He is up for the Whipple on this Friday, the 17th of Aug. 07.

Honestly, from anyone with experience, what are his odds?  He is SOOOOO very positive.  What should we expect after the surgery?  He just turned 60 this month and is used to partying like a "rock star".

Trying to keep him positive, and I need you to keep ME positive.

Thanks a bunch...

Alix

AND, my sister and I just lost our mom on Thanksgiving day....so, we are a mess, so to speak.

Need all the positive and maybe a little of the negative to bring us up to reality.

I have been reading here for a while, and I really appreciate all of the information.

Alix

Sorry to hear about your loss. I too just lost my husband whose name was Matthew. He experienced bad headaches in December but refused to seek medical help until March 22, 2007. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He had surgery two days later on Saturday and was released two days later and did exceptionally well at the beginning. He under went radiation and Temodar chemo for six weeks without results at all. He started another chemo which included CPT_!! and Avistan and unfortunetly had bad results again. The tumor spread into the brainstem and spinal cord.He passed away last Thursday morning @ 3:30am with my daughtr and myself on both sides of the bed holding his hands.He was only 42 yrs. old. It is so sad that our own country helps other countries to rebuild what we destroy,help homeless and hungry people in other nations but don't help our own first.There has got to be a cure for this evil beast called cancer.I was also raised by my grandparents and lost my grandfather(REALLY MY FATHER) to lung cancer, and two aunts to breast cancer.A19 yr.old cousin to luekemia, and to great aunts to ovarian cancer. Everyday, It seems to be the number one cause for death in so many.I would like to know if the pain ever eases?It all just makes me still determined to shout it out.I left all memorials to be contributed to brain cancer research, and pray no other family or patient ever has to go through this terrible ordeal. Holly

 

On 8/13/2007 mermaid8773 wrote:

AND, my sister and I just lost our mom on Thanksgiving day....so, we are a mess, so to speak.

Need all the positive and maybe a little of the negative to bring us up to reality.

I have been reading here for a while, and I really appreciate all of the information.

Alix

Just read your message, and I'm so sorry about your dad.  This is a very, very tough disease, I won't lie.  But my mom, age 74, was diagnosed in March 06 - over a year ago.  She is still with us today, and doing remarkably well.  She had the whipple in April and chemo throughout the summer. It was awful.  More bad days than good, back then.  So much, that we almost forgot what a good day was like.  But mom made it through the summer, had good CT scans, until March 07.  Found mets to liver....but she is still fighting strong.  Last round of chemo was tough, but she has started a new chemo last week, and so far is feeling pretty darn good.  She went to a friends house last night, ate pizza and had a great time!    These last few weeks have been some of the best weeeks she's had.  We've done Gemzar, 5 FU, radiation....lots of nausea, fatigue, swelling (severe swelling in legs), she is now diabetic after whipple, has just had lots of tough times, but my mom is a FIGHTER!!   My sisters and I have rallied around her this entire time, we all take turns being there with her, helping her through this ordeal.  I know that our love and support, and her strong will to LIVE, have brought her through this.  Pan Can is one of the toughest, if not THE toughest cancers to fight, but PLEASE know that you can have many good times with your dad.  You will find a lot more survivor's stories on this site and similar sites.  If you're like me, you will want to read anything and everything that you can get your hands on.   I became a bit obsessed, but I had to know what to expect.  With that said, my mom' s case is different from anything I have read.  Each case is truly unique.  Be strong for your dad - he needs to see that from you.  He needs to know that you can get through this with him.  I know that I just always try to put myself in mom's shoes, not that I could ever possibly know what she is feeling.  I can't imagine.  I wish you the absolute best - your dad is young, so he will have his strength to fight this.  If you have any questions at all, pls send me a private message.  Between myself and my 5 sisters, we have been through a lot with my mom.  Never thought this would happen to out family....but it did.  Good luck to you, pls know that I truly care and will help you in any way that I can.  Best wishes.

 

On 8/13/2007 Gbr44 wrote:

 

On 8/13/2007 mermaid8773 wrote:

AND, my sister and I just lost our mom on Thanksgiving day....so, we are a mess, so to speak.

Need all the positive and maybe a little of the negative to bring us up to reality.

I have been reading here for a while, and I really appreciate all of the information.

Alix

Just read your message, and I'm so sorry about your dad.  This is a very, very tough disease, I won't lie.  But my mom, age 74, was diagnosed in March 06 - over a year ago.  She is still with us today, and doing remarkably well.  She had the whipple in April and chemo throughout the summer. It was awful.  More bad days than good, back then.  So much, that we almost forgot what a good day was like.  But mom made it through the summer, had good CT scans, until March 07.  Found mets to liver....but she is still fighting strong.  Last round of chemo was tough, but she has started a new chemo last week, and so far is feeling pretty darn good.  She went to a friends house last night, ate pizza and had a great time!    These last few weeks have been some of the best weeeks she's had.  We've done Gemzar, 5 FU, radiation....lots of nausea, fatigue, swelling (severe swelling in legs), she is now diabetic after whipple, has just had lots of tough times, but my mom is a FIGHTER!!   My sisters and I have rallied around her this entire time, we all take turns being there with her, helping her through this ordeal.  I know that our love and support, and her strong will to LIVE, have brought her through this.  Pan Can is one of the toughest, if not THE toughest cancers to fight, but PLEASE know that you can have many good times with your dad.  You will find a lot more survivor's stories on this site and similar sites.  If you're like me, you will want to read anything and everything that you can get your hands on.   I became a bit obsessed, but I had to know what to expect.  With that said, my mom' s case is different from anything I have read.  Each case is truly unique.  Be strong for your dad - he needs to see that from you.  He needs to know that you can get through this with him.  I know that I just always try to put myself in mom's shoes, not that I could ever possibly know what she is feeling.  I can't imagine.  I wish you the absolute best - your dad is young, so he will have his strength to fight this.  If you have any questions at all, pls send me a private message.  Between myself and my 5 sisters, we have been through a lot with my mom.  Never thought this would happen to out family....but it did.  Good luck to you, pls know that I truly care and will help you in any way that I can.  Best wishes.

Thank you sooooo much.  I really want to believe that he is going to make it through.  HE believes it, so, I should too, right?

I just want to see him, as I said before, partying like a "rock star" in a couple of months.....he is already planning trips and such for when this is over.  So, I have to believe that he KNOWS he is going to be OK.  He doesn't want to do chemo, tho.  The Dr. said today that if they went in and couldn't operate, that he would be up for chemo and he said he would NOT go that route.  So, let's hope that the surgery will work.

He just doesn't want to be sick in his final days if they can't get it.  I guess I can understand, but, I'm not OK with it.  Does that make sense?

 

 

On 8/13/2007 Matt and Holly wrote:

Sorry to hear about your loss. I too just lost my husband whose name was Matthew. He experienced bad headaches in December but refused to seek medical help until March 22, 2007. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He had surgery two days later on Saturday and was released two days later and did exceptionally well at the beginning. He under went radiation and Temodar chemo for six weeks without results at all. He started another chemo which included CPT_!! and Avistan and unfortunetly had bad results again. The tumor spread into the brainstem and spinal cord.He passed away last Thursday morning @ 3:30am with my daughtr and myself on both sides of the bed holding his hands.He was only 42 yrs. old. It is so sad that our own country helps other countries to rebuild what we destroy,help homeless and hungry people in other nations but don't help our own first.There has got to be a cure for this evil beast called cancer.I was also raised by my grandparents and lost my grandfather(REALLY MY FATHER) to lung cancer, and two aunts to breast cancer.A19 yr.old cousin to luekemia, and to great aunts to ovarian cancer. Everyday, It seems to be the number one cause for death in so many.I would like to know if the pain ever eases?It all just makes me still determined to shout it out.I left all memorials to be contributed to brain cancer research, and pray no other family or patient ever has to go through this terrible ordeal. Holly

I'm so very sorry for your loss.  I can't imagine.  I really can't.  Losing a mom is hard, and I'm sure that losing a husband, especially if he is your best friend, is horrible.

My thoughts and prayers are with you, as I am sure yours are with me.

Thanks for being there....I really need it right now.

I am staying strong around him, telling him that it is just like a cold and he will kick it....but, when on my own like tonight, I tend to break down.  Thank you all for being here for me...I guess I just need someone to tell me that everything is going to be OK....does that make sense?

I have high hopes since he is only at IIB.  I guess it could be worse.  He is positive but has lost a ton of weight (53 lbs) and is slowly putting it back on.  I hope to get him up to 155 for surgery (he is currently at 147 and at his lowest at 133)

Appetite is good, attitude is good, so, hopefully the outcome will be good.  I told him that he doesn't have a choice...that dying isn't an option, and he agreed.  So, at least we are on the same page as of now.

Alix

 

I am sorry to hear about your loss. It is tough when you lose a loved one. My mom had the whipple procedure done in October 2006. When we sat with the surgeon to discuss what the surgery would entail we thought this would be just another "tough" surgery. Prepare yourself for hell. That is what we kept saying through her ordeal. You need to be prepared for his recovery. Keep your eyes wide open. You will find strength to get through this and you will be amazed at how strong your dad is when he is recovering. The surgery gave my mom life. Check out web sites that pertain to this surgery so you are prepared. Good luck and God bless.

PC does not have a good prognosis, however the fact that he may get the Whipple is good news.  It means early stage disease and the best hope for a cure.   He is probably a candidate for chemo regardless if he gets the surgery or not as adjuvant chemo is beneficial and if he cant get the Whipple, chemo can definately extend survival.  The Whipple is not an easy surgery so he probably wont be partying for awhile.  May God bless this journey you are on.

 

Alix....

 Keep positive.  I had the whipple three years ago.  I am so glad to hear he is positive.  Attitude has everything to do with it.

It's a tough surgery, but he can get through it.  It is tougher on the family.  I am doing well and feeling great.  Actually, I had 2 surgeries.  The whipple in 04, and last year I had a blockage in my lower bowel (scar tissue from the whipple).  Did 6 months of chemo.  Its all over and doing great.  And so will your Dad.

The surgery is long (so don't get nervous, like my Mom did) and I spent 3 days in ICU (which they told me before I had the surgery).

Keep positive, and prayers work.

Keep me posted.  I would like to know how he makes out.

Keep positive thoughts for your dad.  Like people say, it is the most horrific abdominal surgery you can go through, but you can make it.  I had my surgery 12-06.  I thank God everyday for living.  It was very hard, but everyday gets better.  God Bless!!!  Dawnella