Pancreatic Cancer

Hi, I hope all is going well for you. My husband is 56 and has just been told he has pc. We have talked to Cancer Treatment Centers of America but my husband is still wary of going. We have been to the Univ. of Mich. but the only option they offer is chemo and 6 months. What is your opinion of the cancer treatment centers of america? Thank you so much for your time. Sue

Hi, I am new to this board. My father-in-law found out today that he has pc, we are all shocked and terrified right now! Everything has happened so quickly, the 28th of December he started turning yellow and lossing weight and now today we find out he has pc. I've been reading your posts and am feeling a little better, more informed. My husband is hysterical so I am trying to find some information to pass along. I will pray for all of you. I appreciate your openess and want you to know that your stories and information are helping me. God bless!

Tiffany,
I'm so sorry about your father. My father was just diagnosed this past Tuesday with what appears to be already stage IV cancer......spread to the liver in a spot that showed up. It's so devastating, but I keep hoping. How old is your Dad and what treatment will he have? I'm so new at this, I can't believe all the different emotions we are all going through.
Sharon

Hi, I'm new to the board, and saw your message. My father went to the doctor the day after X-mas because he was jaundice for about two weeks. He had no pain. It took us almost 2 weeks after his first doctors visit to get his diagnosis. He has Stage 4, locally advanced, resectable pancreatic cancer. He is 67. He had the Whipple surgery on Feb. 1, 2006. At the time of surgery, we were told that is tumor was in-fact "unresectable", but they had already committed to the sugery, so they had to proceed and remove whatever part of the tumor they could. Part of the tumor is sitting on the portal-vein which made it unresectable. His cancer has spread to some of his lymph-nodes as well. His recovery from surgery was a little tough. But he left the hospital in exactly 15 days. He has since started radiation in conjuction with a low-dose of F5U continuous feed of chemotherapy. He is in his 5th and final week of treatment. His CA9-19 results are almost back to normal for now. My family and I are doing more research to see if we can find any other treatments that might be better than what he is receiving now. We are currently looking into the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. It looks promising. I wish you and your family the best. I know how devistating this is. It almost seems umbearable at times. Thinking of you and your family.

Veronica in CA.

My husband was dx. with pancreas cancer in July of 2003 at the age of 46. He was in stage IV. But, we decided he wanted to get another opinion and we decided to go to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas. We are from Indiana and my husband decided he wanted to fight this terrible disease and I fought right along with him. He lost his battle in Oct. of 2005. But, going to MD Anderson gave him a chemo combo of gemzar and cisplatin. He took the chemo for 1 1/2 years. It slowed it down and kept this very aggressive cancer from spreading. The Oncologist here in Indiana was amazed with Donnie's fight to live and the treatment. They had only given him 5 months to live. I am sorry but what I have learned by spending the last 3 years beside my husband helping him with the fight is that sometimes Doctors all over second guess cancer treatments for cancer. I also believe that no two people's bodies are alike. I just know that my husband fought a hard battle and in a way he did win. His pain level wasn't too bad, we traveled, he got to see 3 of our kids married and our grandaughter borned. I thank God everyday that he gave Donnie and I those extra years together. When the chemo quit working, Donnie decided to try a clincal trial even if it was to benefit other pancreas cancer patients in the future. he had the panvac vaccine. He took it in Dayton, Ohio. H took it for 6 months. I know I am a talker but anyone out there with PC please don't give up the fight. There is always something new out there and it may work for you or give you extra time here.

My 45 yr old husband dx with pc in November 2005, and we started going to CTCA in Tulsa and then transferred to PA,,what a GREAT organization. I would highly recommend anyone
who has cancer to give them a try.

Our doctor told us that most GPs dont suspect pancreatic cancer. they treat for ulcers or gerd and keep trying till its in the critical stage. My wife was extremly lucky her doctor was on vacation, the GP who was covering for her, started with the prevacid, and also orderd a scope. Two days later after the scope the surgeon ordered a ct scan right away, hours later while we still in our local hospital, he called and said to get an immediate MRI, all this in one day.Three days later he made an appointment with a specialist at the Uof Louisville hospital, they did another scope with a biopsy, and told us it was cancer, one week later she had the wipple procedure, it has been a little over two months now, she is working in ther garden, goes to the heath center for tred mill walks, and has refused any chemo.We were told that the quick action of our primary care doctors was the best thing that could have happened.Many doctors are unaware of the serious nature of pancreatic cancer, and treat the other symtoms till its too late.

Hi Barry you wrote about your recurrence of pancreatic and being on Tarceva. I was just curious how you are doing. My mom's diagnosis and surgery were June '05 then 5 months chemo/radiation/chemo. She was in remission until yesterday when we got word that her CAT scan has shown some marks on her liver. The doctor talks about chemo and some oxyilplatin (SP?) to try and control it. she has a PET scan soon to confirm what is going on. I guess I knew it would come back. I was just hoping for a longer remission to get her mental and physical strength back. But don't we all?
My prayers are with you.
Brigid

I have seen several messages from you on this message board. If you are still "out there", please contact me back. I want to find out about people's experiences with Dr. Bru's new regimen. The initial results were good, and there have been several messages where people had gotten authorization, and were planning to try the therapy. Do you know about the results for these people, or any information on clinical trials, since his initial cures? Obviously, I am interested since I also have pancreatic cancer, and am looking for solutions. Thank you. Ann

My mum has recently been diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer and of course I am trying to find a cure for her as I cannot bare the thought of her not being in my life. I have just read your message and appreciate that it was posted quite some time ago but I would very much like an update as to how your mum is and how her treatment has gone on.