help and advice

My husband has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  No surgery, he's just started chemotherapy.  He has lost a lot of weight, is very depressed, and totally listless.  His cancer has spread to his liver, and there is also a small nodule in his lung.  What can I do to help him fight depression?  Will his quality of life improve with the chemo? 

His quality of life might improve with antidepressants. Many cancer patients have found these helpful. There is no reason not to do whatever is available to improve his life.

I am so sorry that you have to be on this journey. I agree with the previous poster about anti-depressants. They helped my dad through the horror of diagnosis Stage IV and the treatments. As far as chemo, it did lessen my dad's pain greatly and gave him a few good months of good health where he could actually travel, attend his high school reunion and enjoy the holidays. My thoughts are with you as you go through this most difficult and painful time.

Dear

 My dad is in the same way that yoru husband. I Live in Argentina, a friend from US told me about two things that maybe are helpfull for your husband: ;Mother milk and Rexin-G look for them in google-

 the first one you can ask to any you know and is breastfeeding, my sister gives my dad about 4 oz a day and that help him a lot.

The Rexin G is a new drug, you can do the treatment in manila, phillipins. I know is too expensive, but try if you can.

Wish you the best, if you need more info do not hesitate to contact me at

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Veronica

 

 

hello, so sorry to hear.

My dad was in same position stage 4 w/mets to liver & lungs.in 2007  He refused chemo & tried intervenous vitamin C .The mets cleared up & is gone .

(2009)He is still fighting a single tumor on the pancreas, but it is getting smaller. he is normal weight & even plays golf every week.

 he takes xanax for anxiety to help reduce the pyscholgical burden  associated with such a serious DX.

 

many prayers

Sorry to hear about your husband.  My mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. check out cancertutor.com and click the tab on the left (pancreatic cancer),

Hi pilou,

Firstly, I am very sorry that your husband is dealing with PC. Weight loss is typical as is depression in some patients. There are medications that your husband can receive for depression, but, sometimes introducing artificial stimulus can have other adverse effects. Something to think about and discuss.

Chemotherapy is given to improve quality of life, but chiefly in the hopes of shrinking tumors and in some instances, eliminating them depending on the location, severity and maturity of the tumor(s). In some cases there can be a complete cure. At the very least it should help in keeping tumors from increasing in size and spreading further. Has there been any bloodwork done to assess the situation of the mets on his liver? 

I would strongly suggest arranging for a discussion with your husband's oncologist, to ask these same questions of him or her, and to discuss what medicications your husband might benefit from. The side effects, pros/cons.

Some suggestions to take your husband's mind off of things, might be to get involved in a home project of some sort if he is feeling up to it. Getting out for some fresh air every day can be beneficial. Keeping up with regular routines. Your husband might also benefit from journaling. Writing his thoughts down will help to give a voice, and perhaps provide a release of sorts.

I hope this has been of some help. It is very frustrating I know. I wish you both peace and much strength in the coming days, and all the best for positive results with the chemotherapy.