My Mom

Hi

I'm a new member.  My mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer Oct 2007.  She had the whipple procedure surgery on Nov. 8 2007, The surgery took 9 hours to complete.  The surgeon said he removed all of the cancerous cells.  She had complications after the surgery, especially digestive.  Finally she's able to eat and keep food down actually her appetite is very good.  We were referred to an oncologist and he recommended Chemo however because of her age (77) the surgeon said it would probaly be to strong for her.  I really don't know what stage she's in.  Lately her feet has been swelling and she was hospitalized over night,(infection).  She was put on antibiotics in the hospital and sent home with a 7 day supply.  After 5 days she still complains about the pain.  Mom has lost about 50 pounds and even with a good appetite she still doesn't gain any weight.  This last dr. appt. I looked on the computer and saw that the cancer was in 3 lymph nodes.  What does this mean?  I think she's getting depressed since  she's not able to be independet any more.  Please give any information you can.

Retiredteach

I am so sorry about your mom not feeling well after surgery. 
Pancreatic cancer is one of the worst cancer.  You will need to do
a lot of research in order to understand and help your mom.  The
Post below (Pancreatic Cancer, please help)  will answer many of
your questions.  Also John Hopkins hospital message board is very
informitive they also have a search tool that is for pancreatic
cancer.  The website is
http://pathology.jhu.edu/pancreas/Fundraising.php     
go to the top of the page and click discussion boards. Your mom will
need to go on chemo right away and Gemzar is the most tolerable and
effective. I wish you and your mom the best and good luck.

Janice

On 2/19/2008 Infoquest wrote:

I am so sorry about your mom not feeling well after surgery. 
Pancreatic cancer is one of the worst cancer.  You will need to do
a lot of research in order to understand and help your mom.  The
Post below (Pancreatic Cancer, please help)  will answer many of
your questions.  Also John Hopkins hospital message board is very
informitive they also have a search tool that is for pancreatic
cancer.  The website is
http://pathology.jhu.edu/pancreas/Fundraising.php     
go to the top of the page and click discussion boards. Your mom will
need to go on chemo right away and Gemzar is the most tolerable and
effective. I wish you and your mom the best and good luck.

Janice

Thank you for the websites, they were very helpful.  Mom seems to get tired quicker lately.  She sleeps 12 hours each night and seems more depressed.  I find her at times staring into space, her focus is a bit off.  She refuses to even talk about further treatment because she's afraid of having the port put in.  I don't know what else to do except try to keep her upbeat and happy.  I don't know what to expect and that worries me.  I want to keep her pain free and help her enjoy as many things as possible.  Any other information of chemo will surey help. 

Gwen

On 2/19/2008 Infoquest wrote:

I am so sorry about your mom not feeling well after surgery. 
Pancreatic cancer is one of the worst cancer.  You will need to do
a lot of research in order to understand and help your mom.  The
Post below (Pancreatic Cancer, please help)  will answer many of
your questions.  Also John Hopkins hospital message board is very
informitive they also have a search tool that is for pancreatic
cancer.  The website is
http://pathology.jhu.edu/pancreas/Fundraising.php     
go to the top of the page and click discussion boards. Your mom will
need to go on chemo right away and Gemzar is the most tolerable and
effective. I wish you and your mom the best and good luck.

Janice

Thank you for the websites, they were very helpful.  Mom seems to get tired quicker lately.  She sleeps 12 hours each night and seems more depressed.  I find her at times staring into space, her focus is a bit off.  She refuses to even talk about further treatment because she's afraid of having the port put in.  I don't know what else to do except try to keep her upbeat and happy.  I don't know what to expect and that worries me.  I want to keep her pain free and help her enjoy as many things as possible.  Any other information of chemo will surey help. 

Gwen