Husband

I've been reading messages for awhile now, since my husband was diagnosed in January. Here's the story, the day before his 35 birthday, we found out that he had a mass on his pancreas. A week later he had the whipple procedure and a month later began chemo. He finished a round of chemo and radiatin on Wed and is finally going back to work on Monday. Unfortunately he is not done, he will be having more chemo in June. Not sure what i'm asking, heck, i'm really not asking anything. I just hate feeling alone. I hate watching my 35 year old husband go through this. I really just worry that he wont be able to see our two young boys grow up. Please tell me there is someone out there that has beaten this.

My dad had a whipple procedure 2 yrs. ago that was successful. They removed pretty much everything he didn't need to live including part of his stomach. They took 12 lymph nodes in which 3 were Pos.
He then was entered into a clinical trial which consisted of 6 months of radiation/chemmo. He was very sick for a few months. But he recovered and was doing great up until this week. A tumor was discovered in his liver. So it has returned. He is now starting chemo. again. We thought we had it beat but they say it usually comes back. We have hope that he will conquer this latest set back, too. He is 62. Never lose your Faith--that is key.

Janeface, I had the whipple done 11-3-2000, I went through chemo (5fu 24/7) and radiation for 6 weeks. I went back to work and things were fine until last Sept. when they found lissions on my liver. I'm now on a study drug, an oral chemo that seems to be shrinking the tumors. I hate to tell you that there is no cure for stage 4 pc but, there is always hope. If this drug works out I may have to stay on it for the rest of my life, which I can handle. I'm feeling fine except for the side effects of the medicine(fatigue is the worst). I live a day at a time and I'm enjoying every minute of it. I have been truly blessed! I know what you mean about seeing your kids grow up. I've been blessed with 3 grandkids and looking forward to my 4th this Aug. I was 47 when I had the surgery and I'm 53 now so don't give up. I think the power of prayer and a positive attitude has a lot to do with coping with pc. I know it's harder on my wife and kids than it is on me.We'll keep you and your family along with everyone else on this board in our thoughts and prayers! God bless you and your family. Doug

Hi Carrie!
This is the first time I've looked at this message board!
My husband(age 47, I'm 40) was diagnosed with PC on April 18th. He had the Whipple done a week later at Emory University in Atlanta. His Dr./surgeon was WONDERFUL! My husband did great after surgery(which only took 4 and a half hours)His tumor was in the head of the Pancreas. 1 out of 7 lympth nodes showed cancer cells. He is 5 weeks out of surgery and went back to work this week!
He started Chemo last week. Gemzar & 5FU Thursday and Friday. He wasn't sick but felt really bad on Saturday. No energy, achey feeling like he had the flu. Ater Saturday he started feeling better.We figure one bad day a week isn't bad. He went back today(Thursday) to start another treatment but his white cell count was to low. My husband will also be having radiation starting sometime in June.
Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. I also struggle with watching my husband go through this. He had not been to the doctor in 20 years before this happened. The only reason he went this time was because he turned jauniced. He almost never took any meds(not even asprin) before his diagnosis. We are thankful it was caught in time for him to qualify for the Whipple.
Good luck to your husband. I will keep your family in my prayers.
How old are your boys? We have 2 children. A Daughter 16 and a son who is 11.
YES, I KNOW OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEATEN THIS!!!! AND WE PLAN TO, ALSO.