Hello,
I am new here as well. My mother was diagnosed April 19th of this year with (likely) stage 2 pancreatic cancer-adenocarcinoma with common bile duct and pancreatic duct obstruction. Some say we are lucky that it was caught early, but her primary care physician had been misdiagnosing her with stomach issues for about a year. We never really questioned the oncologist's treatment plan which consists of 6 weeks of IV chemotherapy (once a week for two weeks, skip a week, then repeat), radiation/oral chemotherapy (6 weeks-5 days/week), and then surgery. The tumor is believed to be in two of the main nerves (?); it is 5 cm (2 inches) which we were told is very large considering it is localized. I have done so much research about this disease I am constantly asking questions that the doctors wish that I wouldn't. My mother is 72 years old and I am her primary care giver (45 yrs old) but she lives with my younger brother. I am one of six siblings, but have no real support from them, which makes it difficult for me. My mother is so weak, has lost weight, and is so foggy on the drugs it upsets my brother and I. We are wondering if anyone else has had experience with their loved one saying something (maybe related to drug side effects?) that is out of nowhere. Example: mom says to my brother, "Is the cat still under the bed?"... they don't have a cat. She is so confused most of the time; we have caught her over-dosing on the pain medicine. We have to keep it hidden so she doesn't do this again. She was clear headed and active before being diagnosed. I am wondering if we should go ahead and do the surgery? what would anyone here suggest? Please help.