Reoccurance

My husband has survived pancreatic cancer for 5 years.  We went in for

 his check up - they found two spots in his lung.  Yesterday they removed one and have sent tissue out for biopsy.  The initial diagnosis is either a reoccurance of the pancreatic or lung.  It sounds strange but we are hoping for lung cancer.  Needless to say, my husband is without any hope.  He says no one survives a second cancer once they have had pancreatic cancer.  I would guess that is true if the pancreatic cancer returns.  I am trying to give him something to hold on to.  Has anyone out there survived a second cancer?  I will take any bits of hopeful information.

 Thank you.,

Hello Ethel,

I am sorry for what your husband and you are going through.  Pancreatic cancer is terrible but if it has mets to his lung, some evidence points to it not being as aggressive in the lung.  If it is a primary lung cancer, he still has a good chance for life.

My husband has had rectal cancer diagnosed in 9/01 treated with neo-adjuvant chemo and radiation followed with surgical resection early in '02.  At the end of chemo and radiation he was found to require a quad coronary bypass 12/01 in order to survive the cancer surgery. 

He then had colon cancer, not mets but a new cancer, in '03 with 1 positive node.  Surgery again with more chemo and radiation.  Pancreatic cancer was diagnosed 11/06 with Whipple surgery 12/06 followed by simultaneous radiation and 5-FU chemo.  After a brief rest, more chemo, this time Gemcitabine, IV infusion for 3 weeks and 1 week off each month for 6 months.  

During this time, about 3/08, bilateral, inoperable lung mets were discovered on CT scan.  Much to our surprise, the pathology report showed these to be colo/ rectal cancer mets, not pc mets.  He has not had any treatment for the lung mets because he has not had any symptoms and the lesions are not growing.  He continues to live his life, bowling several times each week, playing cards once a week, enjoying movies occasionally and going out for lunch.

We know what the end of this story will be but we don't dwell on it.  We just live our lives.  This weekend my husband will be going, with his son and grandson, to his 60th high school reunion.  Not bad for a 77 year old gentleman, wouldn't you agree?

Please tell your husband about my husband.  There is life after cancer, there is much about which to be hopeful.

Good luck and God speed.

Joan L

P. S.  There is a great online pc  support board maintained by Johns Hopkins.  There are both patients and caregivers with lots of knowledge willing to provide support.  You can share your concerns and experience.  You can find the board by googling.  

Ethel M

Sorry to hear about your husband. I don't know if anyone survives pc reoccurance. My husband had a whipple feb 05 and it has reoccured and he is going thru treatment now. He's had 3 weeks of gemzar followed by 28 days of radiation and exlora with 3 weeks off and now doing 9 more treatments of gemzar. He's had 2 treatments and was due yesterday for #3 but his platlets were very low so he's has 2 weeks off. When we first found out it was back the doc's said he might have months but with treatments maybe years. Time will only tell, but of course we are hopeing for years. Maybe I am naive about this terrible disease but I have to keep thinking postively.

Tell you husband not to give up hope, because without that there is nothing.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Sharbob