Newly Diagnosed

My mom was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer on 2/11/08.  We have seen 2 oncologists for consult.  We have been referred to U of C.  Right now she can't get an appointment for a month.  That would be about a month and a half from diagnosis before starting treatment.  Any thoughts on this?  The last oncologist said we had time to explore treatment and should start treatment within a month from now.  Besides being agonizing, is this a safe idea?  My mom is well right now.  Also, anyone seeing an oncologist for pancreatic cancer at U of Chicago?

if its stage 4 pancreatic adenocarcinoma then a month or so probably wont matter much.  Get started as soon as possible.  Tarceva and Gemzar can improve survival.

God bless your journey.

 

My opinion-if they can't get you in for a while, try somewheres else.

My wife passed away Jan 26, 2008 after a hard 13 month battle for every inch of ground.  I'd not be inclined wait.  Time is of the essence.  There are a few top tier hospitals within the US which specialize in PC and I'd doubt you'd have to wait at those.  We traveled to Johns Hopkins more often than weekly to Johns Hopkins.  Near the end my wife was feeling too sick to travel such distances and we transferred near home to Hershey Medical Center.  It took us 6 weeks to get in and their seat capacity to administer chemo was very limited.  There is a huge difference between hospitals in the US.

do not wait...consider Dr. Bruckner at Cabrini Medical Center...fight with everything you have got

 

On 2/27/2008 jewel1 wrote:

My mom was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer on 2/11/08.  We have seen 2 oncologists for consult.  We have been referred to U of C.  Right now she can't get an appointment for a month.  That would be about a month and a half from diagnosis before starting treatment.  Any thoughts on this?  The last oncologist said we had time to explore treatment and should start treatment within a month from now.  Besides being agonizing, is this a safe idea?  My mom is well right now.  Also, anyone seeing an oncologist for pancreatic cancer at U of Chicago?

 

My husband, 43, just got diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer.  His is a very rare type (small cell neuroendicrine).  Because he was so ill, we ended up having several procedures at the hospital to get his symptoms under control.  We are now at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.  We had an appointment within 2 weeks and started chemo this week.  However, it was approx. 2 months from diagnosis to first treatment (due to infections, incomplete diagnosis etc.)  Some tumors have doubled in size in the interim.  If possible, don't wait.  Try some other places. 

I saw the other post re: Bruckner.  One of my friends also suggested him (Howard Bruckner, NY).  He apparently is very well respected and has a reputation of trying aggressive chemo treatments.  Since my husband has a rare form of pancreatic cancer, we went with a doctor who specializes in this sub-category.

Good luck to you - I wish you the best.

Do not wait - get another opinion.  My mother has been going to Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion, IL and they got her in right away.  She began treatment and has been responding very well.  Mom was diagnosed December 17 w/ Stage IV pancreatic cancer and we traveled to CTCA Jan 1.  She is leaving this coming Sunday for her 3rd round of chemo.  Her tumor markers have dropped as she is responding to their chemo treatment.  They have several options that are based on your situation and have been wonderful to deal with!!!  This is obviously a personal choice but I wanted you to know they exist and you can go to the web site to educate yourself.  Whatever you choose to do, please get a second opinion and fight this ASAP!  Best of luck to you and your mom on this journey.  ~K

On 2/27/2008 jewel1 wrote:

My mom was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer on 2/11/08.  We have seen 2 oncologists for consult.  We have been referred to U of C.  Right now she can't get an appointment for a month.  That would be about a month and a half from diagnosis before starting treatment.  Any thoughts on this?  The last oncologist said we had time to explore treatment and should start treatment within a month from now.  Besides being agonizing, is this a safe idea?  My mom is well right now.  Also, anyone seeing an oncologist for pancreatic cancer at U of Chicago?