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Hello, I am a 52 year old male that was diagnosed Pancreatic cancer on 5/15/06 after a stomach ache on 4/28/06. No other signs. My Primary care doctor immediately sent me to Rush Hospital Medical Center in Chicago. After CT scans which revealed an enlarged pancreas and further follow up tests, I received a Whipple on 6/01/06. 20 days of recovery at Rush, where I received wonderful care, from the entire team I got to return home. I was looking forward to Chemo/Rad Therapy soon and successful recuperation after the 5-1/2 week therapy that I was expecting after surgery. However, a CT Scan of 7/28/06 revealed Mets in my liver that were not present 60 days earlier!
...Move on to phase 2... I am scheduled to begin chemo therapy of Gemzar/Tarceva on 8/16/06. Does anyone have any encouraging words regarding this regimen of treatment? I would appreciate any input that is out there. Signed, 'deer in the headlights' Dave B.

Dave
sorry you have to come here. The options are limited in stage 4. The combination of Gemzar/Tarceva has shown to increase survival over Gemzar alone. The Tarceva may cause a rash. You may also ask about clinical trials for PC.
May God bless your journey.

Dave, your story sounds very much like my husband. He was diagnosed after a year of stomach pain with pc, had surgery Jan 05, mets to liver found then. Did not start any chemo until Aug because of having not symptoms. He started gemcitabine last Aug, once a week for three weeks and then off for a week. The chemo gave him hardly any troubles, no nausea, wt. loss, hair loss. Unfortunately he was just told yesterday that there has been significant changes in the liver and a new lesion on his spine that they feel the gemcitabine is not longer working at keeping his cancer at bay. We are awaiting a bone scan and are hoping to start on capecitabine which is a oral chemo and is new to me. My husband has been going strong since Jan 05, keep the faith, keep positive, do research and ask lots of questions.

Thank you for responding to my post. I had a subsequent meeting with the University of Chicago Oncology Team on Tuesday of this week. They are running a clinical trial of Gemzar, Avastin and either Tarceva or another drug that escapes me. My oncologist, that I was just about to begin theraphy with at Rush, endorsed the fact that I would go to the U of C and begin Clinical Trail. He said that the people at U of C are having good results (how to measure good?) I start this next Tuesday. Thanks for the response. I've been scared out of my mind since 5/15/06. My doc's tell me I have every right to be.

Peace, Dave B.

Dave
I have been on Gemzar/tarceva for a year now and am doing well!! Remember every day there is something that is coming up with in my mind "miracles" for pancreatic cancer. Just the fact that I have been diagnosed 15 months ago and am doing well on the gemzar/tarceva combo is in itself a miracle. The new clinical trials seem to be offering all of us hope!!! One thing I have learned is every day is a gift no matter what. God bless you every day and give your doctors wisdom>>>>
Jaybird-1

Jaybird, thanks for the response. That is really good news and I hope I can post numbers like those!! God Bless You and the journey that you're on.

Dave

Dave
I just read your posting and a wondering how the GTX treatment is going.
I was diagnosed 5/26 with stage 4B and can simpathize with your feeling of being scared out of your mind. This is a very aggressive cancer with few options. Having said that GTX appears to be doing better than Gemzar alone or with tarceva. I am on a modified GTX protocol that includes Avastin and cisplatinum. As of today, my tumor is responding and my liver "spots" are reduced. I am only four months out but that is four months more than I was given when diagnosed. Like you, I had not other symptoms when diagnosed. I was a surgical candidate and infact was on the operating table for a whipple when they found the tiny mets throughout my GI tract. I am feeling fine except for nausea and fatigue. The protocols available today are giving hope to many

I am a 38 year old 3 year survivor or recurent PC, I am doing well. At this weekends PANCAN Evening with the stars I met a 38 year survivor. I also met a 12 year survivor that has beat 4 recurences! We can win, live in the moment, love your family and don't let worry efect the time you have. We can win, even if we dont live long we can live well! Spread smiles and never give up!