fighting pancreatic cancer

hi my name is andy and my mum has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. we are desperately seeking anyone who can help us fight this horrible disease. We are located in australia and would love recommendations on who to go and see the best of the best doctor to treat mum. the cancer has invaded the portal vein and mum is in alot of pain any recommendations on treattments would be greatly appreciated

 

thankyou

 

andy

 

On 9/8/2009 andylee wrote:

hi my name is andy and my mum has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. we are desperately seeking anyone who can help us fight this horrible disease. We are located in australia and would love recommendations on who to go and see the best of the best doctor to treat mum. the cancer has invaded the portal vein and mum is in alot of pain any recommendations on treattments would be greatly appreciated

 

thankyou

 

andy

 

Hi Andy,

 I am terribly sorry to hear of your mom's diagnosis.  I live in the United States (NY), and am primary caregiver to my dad (age 62) who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April of this year. 

The absolute best advice that I can offer you is to RUN, do not walk to the best surgeon you can find who is experienced in dealing specifically with pancreatic cancer.  DO NOT accept that the tumor is unresectable unless you hear that from such a surgeon!  Surgery is the only chance for a cure and time is, unfortunately, of the essence with this terrible disease.

I don't know if you would consider coming to the U.S. for treatment, but if so, there are 2  very well-known comprehensive cancer centers that I would recommend for a consult with a surgeon:

1.  Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland

http://pathology.jhu.edu/pancreas/index.php

2.  MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas

http://www.mdanderson.org/patient-and-cancer-information/can

 

Best of luck to you and your mom!  Take good care!  :)

thankyou so much for your reply. i will phone these clinics as treatment over here is VERY slow we had to wait two weeks to see a specialist after the mass was initially found. then once cancer was diagnosed we have to wait another 3 weeks just to see him, its incredibly frustrating. i hope your dad is doing ok sending kind thought your way at this difficult time.

 

regards

andy

 

On 9/9/2009 andylee wrote:

thankyou so much for your reply. i will phone these clinics as treatment over here is VERY slow we had to wait two weeks to see a specialist after the mass was initially found. then once cancer was diagnosed we have to wait another 3 weeks just to see him, its incredibly frustrating. i hope your dad is doing ok sending kind thought your way at this difficult time.

 

regards

andy

Hi Andy,

My husband (age 49) was diagnosed w/ PC on July 9th by Drs. Michael Wayne and Avram Cooperman at St. Vincent's Hospital in NYC.  The tumor is unresectable at this time and he is currently being treated w/ back to back chemo bi-monthly since July 31st and will start radiation soon.  We particpated in the one day clinic at Johns Hopkins in June and were disappointed in their lack of communication and follow up. Drs. Wayne and Cooperman are outstanding....Drs. Wayne and Cooperman's 5 and 10 year survival rates are nearly double that of Johns Hopkins.  I strongly encourage you to check out their website and give them a call.  They will get you in ASAP.

Best of luck!

Phuong

 http://www.pblsurgeryny.com/index.html

Phuohg,

I m sorry your husband has pc and I hope he is eventually able to have Whipple surgery.

I am quite surprised to read that your husband's doctors indicate that their 5 and 10 year survival rates for pc are so much better than those for Hopkins.  Are there published studies demonstrating these facts?  If so, please advise where they may be accessed and read.  There are very few survivors, even with Whipple surgery, and frankly, I find it hard to believe that anyone can top Hopkins, unless it would be M. D. Anderson in Houston or perhaps Dr. Fine at Columbia.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation in posting where we can read the studies done by your husbands' doctors.

Stay strong.

Joan L

Hi Andy, my name is Pauline and I live in Queensland.  I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November 2007.  What state are you in?  I know of someone in NSW who also has/had pancreatic cancer and if you are down there I could get some info for you on treatment centres etc.  I am receiving the greatest treatment through the public system up here.  If I can help you in any way please let me know, this is a frightening time for you and your family but you just never know with this thing, I have learnt nothing is certain and there are no rule books where this disease is concerned.

hi pauline

thankyou so much for your reply, we live in tasmania but as there are no specialiist clincis here are willing to travel to get the right treatment for mum. would you mind if i ask where your cancer is located and what treatment you are on? thankyou once again goodluck in your continued fight.

smiles to you

andy

    

hi phoung

its an awful disease and im sorry for your husbands condition. thankyou so much for your info. at this stage mum is not up to flying to america we are hoping the specialsit who we are to see this week will at the very least get her out of pain and we will be able to consider the trip/options then.

thankyou again

take care

andy

my husband was diagnosed wtih stage 4B pancreatic cancer 5 wks ago. We tried chemo and Tarceva pills. It was 1 round of chemo and 2 days with the pills.  The liver immediately failed and he is now deceased.  I guess I'm thankful that it went so fast but I feel that without the chemo he would have had a couple more months. I don't believe an already compromised pancreas can deal with a heavy load of such severe meds.

i am so very sorry for your loss my thoughts and prays go out to you and your family