Dear Linda,
Sorry to hear about your husband. I am a pancreatic cancer survivor of nearly four years now. On November 3, 2000 they removed 40% of my pancreas, my entire spleen, a slice of my right kidney, and five lymph nodes. Fortunatley for me the cancer only spread to the first lymph node. I received aggressive chemo and radiation treatments 2months after my surgery. I had 24-hour infusion of chemo (5fu), for five weeks and radiation treatments five days a week for the same five weeks. Needless to say it was devastating! Then I had a second go of chemo, (gemzar), one day a week for nine weeks. My last treatment was on May 29, 2001. My survival chances of making it three years were anywhere from 2% to 20% depending on the doctor. I have never heard of the drugs that you are speaking about, and am surprised that they haven't appeared to my newsletter from PanCAN. I don't know if you have heard of them. It is Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. It is an organization based in California that is lobbying congress for more funds to support research into Pancratic Cancer, and to have November recognized as Pancreatic Cancer Survival Month. They have many representatives in several states who organize fundraisers for pancreatic cancer. There are several doctors on the board of PanCAN, and perhaps they have more info on the drugs that you are researching. They can be reached at www.pancan.org. I also believe that their website speaks of the latest clinical trials for pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most terrifying cancers out there due to the difficulty in early detection. I would think that the gall bladder would be crucial in treating pancreatic cancer. The only reason I say that is because I beleive that the gall bladder is one of the organs that is removed in the "Whipple Procedure" for pancreatic cancer patients. Is your husband's cancer in the head, body or tail of the pancreas? Has surgery been discussed?
I continue to see an oncologist every 90 days for blood work and cat scans every six months. My four year anniversary is coming up on November 3, 2004. If I can be of further service, and you would like to communicate further you can do so through this message board.
Best Regards to you and your husband...I will pray for his comfort and well being.
Russ