Wondering?

my mom has pancreatic cancer w. mets to the liver diagnosed in sept. 07

so far her tumors have shrunk 2cm they are now 4cm...exciting news... her liver enzymes she tells me are almost normal.  does that mean that the tumors maybe shrinking.  I dont know any other information except the dr is surprized how the chemo is working.  2 more treatments and she goes for another scan..this second round of chemo is really kicking her butt this time she is in so pain and feeling very nasuaus(sp?)

if the tumors shrink does that mean cancer is gone?  I really dont know these answers and my mom wont let me speak to her doctor.  shouldnt they also be scanning her whole body other that just the abdominal area so to see if the cancer spread to other areas....she said the twi scans she had so far it was just the abdominal area.

is it possible for the enzymes to be lower and she can still take a turn for the worse...

thank you carol 

Carol,

It sounds like the Chemo that your mom is taking is working
quite well. Did the tumor in her pancreas shrink also or the liver or
both?  It is not uncommon for the tumor
in the liver to shrink with the right chemo combination.    I
hope the doctor is giving your mother good anti nausea medication for her
nausea I take Compazine for nausea..  I
have had 3 CT of my abdominal area  and
my next CT
will be abdominal and chest CT.  It all
depends on her doctor on what CT to order. 
Could you possibly go to the doctors with your mom or talk with someone
that went with your mom to get more information?  I know I can not digest everything the doctor
tells me and I rely on my husband to ask questions and to explain what the
doctor meant.  I will pray for your mom
and I wish you well.

Take care,

Janice

thank you for your reply and i will pray for you too.  Mom wont let me speak with the doctor.  I think her meds for nasua is good.  Most of the times it seems to work she just really isnt feeling to well lately this second round of chemo is taking her for a ride.  My stepfather goes with her to the doctor.  but I still feel like they are not telling me everything.  I dont know if they check her ca counts or anything all they tell me about is liver enzymes...

It is very frustrating.  She said she will not listen to anyone about anything except for her doctor.  And will not check into anything or learn about any other ways of treatments except for what her doctor tells her...is scares me.  because I am not confident that her doctor know everything beside what reasearch says.  He is an oncologist.  She is not seeing anybody at a cancer center.  So I pray that the chemo keeps working.  I think the tumors are shrinking on both the liver and pancreas we will see hopefully they are still shrinking?

if the tumors shrink does that mean no more chemo...i told my mom I think she still has to go to chemo...maybe not as often..but she deosnt want to anymore if they are gone.