2 Years Of Low Dosage Chemo Treatment?

Hello,

My mom was diagnoised with 3rd stage of pancreatic cancer, had the whipple and just finished 3 months of intensive chemo and radiation therapy. now the doctors tell us that she has to continue the chemo (low dosage) for the next 2 years, once every week. She's freaking out that the side effects will be severe, especially when we've never heard of someone being on chemotherapy so such long time. Has anyone have experience with such treatment plan?

Thank you!

most folks dont get all the side effects. some lucky ones don't get any side effects. perhaps try one round of chemo and if the side effects are not too serious, continue the chemo.

here is a nice review of stage 3 pancreas cancer that talks about whipple surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. they mention specific drugs such as gemzar, and they quote some survival numbers as well. it is from the univ of florida cancer center:

http://www.ufscc.ufl.edu/patient/content.aspx?section=ufscc&

patients that had both surgery and chemotherapy lived almost 5 months longer than patients who had surgery alone.

-A

Oliver,

Ignore those survival stats! Recent work is showing so much better numbers and new drugs have been developed. Recent advances have improved survival greatly. I am a stage 3 colon cancer survivor and a nurse. I did six months of chemo. I was hooked up three days a week every other week for six months receiving three drugs. Not too long ago treatment was at least a year. I know a young man who just completed two years of chemo for a different type of cancer. He is doing very well. I am doing very well. The follow-up chemo your Mom will be receiving may be at a lower dose as well. Encourage your Mom to give it a shot. A friend of mine did one year of follow-up low dose chemo for a year.

Love and prayers

I lost my mom in January to pancreatic cancer. I wish she had been able to have the whipple surgery and could have continued on with the chemo. My mom lived a little over a year with the cancer which we contribute to the chemo and radiation. She didn't have a hard time with the chemo but the radiation was hard. The chemo might not be that bad. This is a tough cancer and you are lucky in that they were able to do the surgery. I have heard stories of survivors that continued on the chemo after the surgery and lived a long life. My prayers and thoughts are with you, as I know how tough it is to watch someone you love more than life itself be sick and scared. Treasure every moment you have.

Your mother has certainly been through a lot & I feel for her. I know the whipple surgery is suppose to be particularly painful. I myself have been diagnosed with soft-tissue sarcoma and Adenocarcinoma lung cancer and have gone through a number of surgeries so I applaud your mother's bravery. The reason I'm writing is because I have a close friend who was diagnosed with panacreatic cancer almost 3 years ago. He has been going through chemotherapy treatments ever since and I want to tell you he is doing very well. I believe he will continue for a long time but the important thing to know is he has a good quality of life. We meet once a week, share cancer & chemo stories & laugh a lot about everything. He's quite happy and living life productively as can be expected. I send my prayers to both you, your mother & your family.
Molly

Dear Shari,

I'm so sorry for your loss and thank you for your encouragement.

I wish you peace and joy.

Jennifer

Thank you for sharing your story and sending your prayers. They were much needed, more than you can imagine.

Thank you and I wish you health and happiness.

Love

Thank you for your kindess and sharing yours and your friend's story. I wish health and happiness for both of you. You're our inspiration.

Thank you for the link and sharing.

My mom was diagnosed june 05, had whipple, 6 months chemo and radiation. remission for 6 months; now back in liver and lungs..small and they thought they could get her in remission. new drugs in use in just those 6 months ! she started well, ended up in the hospital with a bowel obstruction (11 days, 10 pounds lost). Now the chemo is tougher on her.
I took her to the ER two nights ago with vomiting. Her liver enzymes are through the roof and they don;t know if its the cancer or the chemo.

Go for the chemo; they really are coming out with new drugs all the time: BUT ask lots of questions; they do not know a lot about the invisible side effects (live damage etc). We are always stressing quality over quantity of life; sometimes our doctor has to be reminded. he is very aggressive.
Tarceva is supposedly doing good things in holding cancer in check and may nto be as hard as chemo...goofy side effects; face rash - some get some don't.
Good luck and I believe we can only do what we think it right and good and there is no one right answer.