Just diagnosed and devastated

Just after Christmas John said he felt a little tried ( he is a very young 61) and had a bit of intergestion (unusal for him) and decided to go the doctors 2 weeks ago.  The appoint was on Thursday 11 Jan. The doctor sent him straight to the hospital for blood tests, as he was a little bit jaunace (this came almost overnight, i thought he was a funny colour on the Wednesday night).  9.00am the next mornng the doctor rang asking him to go into the surgery as his blood tests had come back (so quick) and needed to dicuss then with him.  To cut a long story short he was admitted that day had seen many doctors, had an altra scan and on sat morning told it was a growth and that it was very serious had a cat scan on Monday and given the devastating news Tuesday that it was inoperable, it was metaststic to the liver and at an advanced stage.  They told us had months left rather than years.  It has been a whirl wind.  After the 2nd attempt a metal Stent was fitted.  He was then told he would have will have Chemo (palliative therapy) addministered every Monday for eight weeks, 1 free week and then evry 3 weeks with 1 week free. He was let out of hospital on the friday due to see the oncologist on the Monday.  

Monday arrives and off we go to the oncologest to be told by him that he would like to do a biopsy  of the Pancreas to make sure.  WHAT!!! Who do they think they are messing with peoples emoitions like this. Oh but the prognois is still the same.

I am so sorry, but please, don't give up hope. My mother  at 75 was diagnosed with advanced PC on 7/7/06.  She was also given months to live and originally didn't even want the chemo - she was ready to die, knowing that she saved, and had no fears. However, the doctor convinced her that she might could extend her life to a year and possibly still have quality if she would take chemo. She started it the first week of August.  She has been taking Tarceva (an oral chemo taken daily and only approved for PC in Nov 2005), in combination with a weekly IV chemo of Gemzar. I've read the protocols and it sounds like the 8 on, one off, then three on and one off is the standard - yet her doctor has administered it to her EVERY week with no breaks.  Her CA19-9 (pancreatic cancer marker) started off at over 38,000 (normal is below 37).  Amazingly enough, her CA19-9 has dropped to 44 as of 3 weeks ago and we anticipate it will be way below 37 next week when they do it again. At that point, she will be considered in remission and will quit chemo.  A CT scan given at the beginning of December showed that the spots on her liver were gone, her lymph nodes had returned to normal size, and the tumor had shrunk considerably.  I am sure it is through prayer, my mom's attitude and fortitude, and the chemo that she is being healed. 

I am sure they want to do the biopsy to determine the "type" of pancreatic cancer to see what chemo might be most effective for your husband. 

 Please don't give up hope. I'll pray for your husband. Keep us informed on how he is doing.