New To Board/Cancer

Hello,

My mom was dignosed with Pancreatic Cancer on 12/21 (her birthday). At first they said they found a small tumor that could easily be removed. Before her sugury I asked the doctor if I would get any sort of update about how she was doing and he said no, so I knew it was pretty much bad news when he came storming out the OR door to find me to tell me there was nothing he could do. It seems that the tumor has decended around her portal vein and can not be removed without killing her. We are doing all the treatments we can do see if it will release it's self. My mom is only 52 years old. Cancer does not run in our family. Actually nobody has ever had cancer. I am 25 with a new baby (7 months on the 19th!) and I guess I am here to meet other people who are going through the same things as myself. If anyone has any pointers on how to stay sane please let me know!

Allison

Hi Allison,
My mom is 49, and was also diagnosed on December (19th). Her tumour was in the bile duct, which was causing her terrible hitchiness all over her body. Her whipple was on the 3rd of January. She is now two months into her recovery and is finally starting to look like her old self.....starting chemo this week.
I know what you are going through.......i'm 27 and just got married in September(05). My mom was the picture of health at my wedding so how could she 2 months later be diagnosed with this horrible disease!!! Basically we have to be strong for them...try to do as much as we can for them, while at the same time try to stay sane. I hope your mom, as well as mine get through this, and come out stronger people.
Keep in touch
Catia

Catia,


Although I hate to hear your mom you and your mom are going through this, it is helpful to know that I am not alone. When we went in to have my moms whiple they thought the tumor was on her bile duct, but infact on the head of her pancedrias. We knew something was not right with her when she started turning yellow. Right now I try to take the baby over to her house as much as I can so she can spend time with her, and we try to take her to as many radation appoitments as we can too.

I hope everything is well with you and your mom. Please, please keep in touch!

Allison

Hi,
Im also the one that goes to all the appointments with my mom. Being there for her is the only thing that i can do to help through these times.....i wish there was more that we could do as caregivers.
I'm sure that your mom must love having the baby around.....i know my mom would (She keeps on hounding me to have one :))
I'm also new to cancer....no one in our family has ever had it....so just like you i try to find people to talk too, people that can relate to what we as well as our families are going through. So whenever you feel that you need to talk just send a message

Catia (Toronto)

Catia,

I wanted to drop you a note to see how you and your mom are holding up. My mom has had a few bad days this week. I went over to her house to check on her and she was sitting in the spare bedroom crying. She has been very emotional, and I can't say I blame her. I know how I am feeling about all this so I can not even imagine how she is feeling.

Emma is her rock though. She loves to buy her toys and play with her, so we spent a good part of the last few days there. I hope you and your mom are doing well. We get out last round of radation tomorrow and they dis-connect her from kemo for 2 weeks. We are excited!

Have a great weekend and I hope to hear from you soon!

Allison

Mom was diagnosed just before her 85th birthday last November. She had jaundiced and was in fabulous health - never sick and was going strong. She goes into the hospital feeling great and comes out with PC. She has a 14 month old great grand son and I think he keeps her going. Mom decided to not have any treatment, no chemo and definitely not the whipple. She has some back pain but and doesn't eat much - she's lost weight - but has a fabulous attitude. She doesn't have PC, she calls it "her little problem." I don't know what to expect, if something will happen fast of if she will continue like this for a good while, but I'm going home soon for at least two weeks. I don't want to take the chance of something happening and me not spending time with her. I'm really afraid. My prayers to you and your Mom.

Sharon

Allison and Catia,

I wanted to let you both know that you are not alone- I am 28 w/ two little girls (one almost 2 and one 4 1/2): my mom was diagnosed w/ pancreatic cancer on 2-19-05. It was on the head of the pancreas- the dr performed a total pancreatitectomy (SP?) as he thought the whipple would not be enough. She was declared cancer free after 5 FU, Gemzar and radiation following her surgery. I took her (along w/ my girls) to each radiation/chemo/dr appt. I know how difficult this can be, but you have to stay strong for your Moms- be the rock, since they need someone to turn to. My mom has done so much better since she began an anti-depressant: I would strongly recommend it for your Moms.

Unfortunately, we just found out today that her cancer has come back- this time in the lungs. Surgery and radiation are not options- only chemo is. She will begin treatments w/in the next two days. The drs said they cannot cure it, but hope to keep it managed w/ a good quality of life. I can only pray and be there for her. Good luck- stay in touch, please. It feels good to know someone who's been in my shoes.

Kelly

Good morning girls!

Well Sharon and Kelly my heart is with you as well! We had a very bad weekend with my mom. She has lost 5 1/2 pounds in one week. She is having trouble keeping down food so I can imagine. Emma and I are over every night though. I have a sister that lives in New Jersey (I am in WV as is my mom) and she is going to call all her doctors today and find out what is really going on. One of my girls at work asked me how I am handling things and I just looked at her and said I just do. My husband is a mess over all this, my mom is a mess and I have to be strong for not only them but for the baby.

Hopefully we can get somewhere with the doctors today.

I hope everyone is well and if you need to talk I am only an e-mail away!

Allison

Hi Allison, Kelly:

I have been away...sorry for not responding earlier.
Allison, i'm sorry your mom has been having some rough days......i'm sure she will feel her old self in no time, and good luck with today's results.
My mom did her first chemo treatment last thursday, and her only side effect was tiredness, so i'm hoping that things will go well throughout the treatment.
As for being threre for our moms.....what else can we do, if the roles were reversed i'm sure they would be the first ones there for us. I just hope that there will be a breakthrough in research .......... to wake up one day and have this nighmare gone from our lives.

Keep in touch
Catia