Pancreatic Cancer

Brigid - thank you so much for your care and concern. Unfortunately, my husband, Dale, (57 years young) passed away August 1, 2005 less than 5 months from diagnosis. Yes, he was on Tarceva, Gemzar and even 5FU for a while. We tried every protocol available. It was just very advanced and agressive in his case. I continue to stay involved in PanCAN and other cancer networks to help others through their pain as cancer survivors. That is what I consider myself and my four children - cancer survivors. Our awareness of cancer, and especially pancreatic cancer, is an essential part of our lives now. - Karen

I am so sorry for your news. It is like getting hit in the stomach really hard over and over. My mom ,although older than yours, was also a very active healthy woman whose diagnosis hit us out of the blue. Here are some of my thoughts after looking back on the past 5 months (since her diagnosis):
. you will get through...I believe God carries us when we ask and need him.
. you will find angels along the way to help you...let them
. an oncology nurse once told me that I should try not to listen to any news or stories of PC (or other cancers) that are more than 5 years old because the medical field advances so quickly.
. your grandpa suffered from cancer as did mine but there are also so many ways now to make people comfortable if the cancer is advanced. (But even advanced cancer can be treated!).
. having said that, I would also say , try and keep a "positive realism", celebrate the good news but stay even because there will be days of bad news along the way.
. if she is able to have the Whipple procedure to have the tumor removed, find the best doctor you can. It is a major surgery and you want someone who has done many. (we had a great surgeon in Cinti)
. there are no dumb questions..require that physicians give you a chance to ask and understand all options, risks, etc. Be patient active!
. ask about this new drug Tarceva that is showing some promise.
. try and deal one day at a time with the facts...I would lay in bed and think about my mom's funeral and how my babies won't know her and that will drive you crazy and is a waste of energy.
By the way, my mom's tumor was operable, there was local lymph node involvement so now she is finishing up 5 months of chemo/radiation/chemo and hopefullt some remission after this. There were days that I look back on and do not know how we did it but we did and you will. Give what you cannot handle to God and tell him "heck with it. It is your burden to carry. I'm full today". I have found peace in that.
Keep me posted along your journey

Hi,

I am a 44 year old Caucasian male and I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (tumor in the head of the pancreas) in April 2004. I went through 5 months of chemo and then surgery, the Whipple procedure. The cancer did not spread outside of the pancreas. Next they did radiation.

The cancer came back in May 2005 in the same area where the head of the pancreas had been removed. I did another 5 months of chemo; Gemzar, Taxotere and Xeloda. The CT scan shows the cancer has shrunk, but my C19-9 levels are still high. I am now on Tarceva, for about 2 weeks, and I also broke out all over my face. The Dr. gave me some oral antibiotics which helped along with an antibiotic cream. My face is starting to clear up, but I still have a lot of whiteheads.

Do these systems continue or is this just a problem with taking Tarceva for the first few weeks?

Thanks
Barry

My uncle who is a healthy, non smoking, active 60 year old was diagnosed in june with inoperable pancreatic cancer. He was sent home with a pat on the back.

I did research and found good things on Essiac tea and the Budwig diet. Even though he isn't into herbal medicine, he started on 4 oz. of essaic(ordered from "anursestea.com" or something similar, you can find it on the essiac site), and 4 oz. of flax seed oil in cottage cheese per day. He just went back for his four month check up and the tumor was almost gone!

You should check it out. Good luck!

my friend has been battling a recurring rash that has been treated for almost 6 months. dr attributed to stress and allergies. after another blood test a few weeks ago they told her she was diabetic and began treatment for that and still treated the rash. the rash would clear up and then always come back worse and affecting more parts of the body. we finally convinced her to see another doctor who did more test and said she had very high counts leading them to beleive it was being caused by some kind of cancer. through all of this she has been very depressed along with horrible bouts of back ache, depression,constipation, and severe bowel pains. they sent her to a hematologist whom did biopsies of the rash which is now out of control and bleeding. they beleive it may be pancreatic cancer and have just started testing has anyone else been through this or had this rash as a warning sign?
help!!
a friend

Dear Peter,
My husband has pancreatic cancer. I would like to find out more about Dr. Bru's work with G-CSF. Is this a subcutaneous shot?
Thank you,
Pamela

Linda - I was just looking over some posts and wondering what happened with your dad? My husband, Dale, left us August 1. We are struggling to get through the holidays, but we are together in spirit and know that Dale is happier now as our angel in heaven. How are you and your family doing? - Karen

I'm a 38 year old white male recently diagnosed and terrified as my cousin just died.my life long friend Tommys' mother also just died.I have told myself i dont have time to be so sick and in so much pain. staying busy takes my mind of the worry and i actually have normal moments.I'm convinced my attitude will make me pursever and kick this thing because i refuse to cry or give up. both people i knew gave up almost as if just the finding out that they were sick killed them.and last but not least if worse comes to worst I feel sorry for all that still live as I'm going to the better place.no tears just a busy schedule and i fight sleep with all my might.

I will pray! God be with you and all you love.I have been fighting 3 years.

I am sorry for your loss. I lost my husband of 29 years on Sept. 30,2005.
He had just turned 48. He was diagnosed exactly 6 months earlier. He was feeling fine until Good Friday when he had terrible pain in his stomach going to his back. When I took him to the ER I really thought he had a kidney stone or something. In the ER they did Xrays and a CAT scan and found 3 spots on his liver. He was admitted for treatment of pancratitis (sp) and more tests. On March 30,2005 we got the punch in the stomach. How brave he was. He believed till the end he could beat it. He was on chemo and tarcevo, 2 rounds but the cancer spread. He then went to experimental treatment. The cancer spread to his lungs. He was at home with us thanks to wonderful hospice. I guess I just want to say that I was so glad I could care for him and that my children and grandson were able to spend time with him at home.