tretament recommendations

I feel I must be honest with you as my husband had pancreatic cancer and unfortunately, succumbed to his disease. As I'm sure you know, pancreatic cancer is a very aggressive cancer. In my husband's case, he was diagnosed in stage IVB and had it in pancreas, liver and lungs. His liver was near failure at time of discovery. However, the good news for you is that your mother's tumors are not as advanced so chemo, especially gemzar is a good option to beat it back. You might also try GTX (gemzar and two other chemo drugs). Side effects can be very serious and include painful mouth ulcers. Also, you should contact PanCan (www.pancan.org). Ask them about their PALS programme. Finally, make sure you watch your mother for depression and/or sleeping problems. These can be managed and should be discussed with your doctor. Make sure a pain management specialist is also part of your treatment team. Arm yourself with information. Also try the Johns Hopkins website. (By the way, Hopkins is an excellent center for pancreatic cancer and they are doing a lot of research on this disease right now). Believe it or not, your mother is lucky. You sound like a wonderful child and I know you will be a good advocate for her, something she really needs right now. Just try and take this one day at a time. If you project, a natural thing to do right now, it will not be helpful. Remember to be present in the present. And always talk to your mother and make sure you take into account what she wants. Jo (www.turpinfoundation.org)

I have no recommendations; however, my husband just began Gemzar and Tarceva.  We take our second treatment today. His cancer is pancreatic and has spread to the liver, Stage IV.

Please keep me updated on the progress of your mother and we will pray for her and your family has you travel this path of the unknown.

He has been suffering from fevers, but I am not assuming that they are related to the Gemzar.  The doctor says that they are tumor fevers and doesn't give us much more information.  He has also begun night sweats that begin about an hour after he goes to bed until he gets up the next morning.  Again, no information as to how to cope or what is the exact cause.

 

Good luck.

My wife also has been diagnose with stage IV pancreatic cancer and chemotherapy has made her very weak.  I am investigating how to build up her immune system damaged from the therapy.  I am searching for an answer.  I have found out that there are some sources that are out there that can reverse the damage and help her to rebuild her cells.  I will be in touch.

I had the exact same diagnosis in 9/08.  After all the tests I was started on gemzar and tarceva.  I had really bad side effects.  Everything from diahrea to sores all over my body and zero appetite.  I think most of that was the Tarceva.  After a couple of rounds I had another scan and it wasn't working.  In fact, it was worse.  I was then started on 5FU and Leukovarin.  My serious side effects cleared up.  I was fatigued and had mouth sores but nothing I couldn't handle.  After a few rounds all my tumors had shrunk.

All of this to say that if one treatment doesn't work, there are many others to try.  I'm now playing golf 2-4 times a week and generally feeling good after 8 months.  I thought I would be gone by now.

I'm not cured, I'm just hanging in as long as I can.  I think attitude and a lot of prayers from other have helped.  I also think the antidepressant I was prescribed has helped considerably.  I had lost 35-40 pounds due to lack of appitite.  The antidepressant (Paxil) has increased my appitite and I've gained all that weight back.

Hope this helps some.  Best wishes.  Never give up!