My diagnosis came just as I had turned 50 last year. I had the whipple procedure in September 2007. It was considered a stage 2 because it had spread to one lymph node, and to some surrounding fatty tissue. None of my organs were affected.
The medical oncologist stated since it has spread to one lymph node, even though the margins were clear he was classsifying it as a stage 3 and is treating it aggressively with chemo. I had 3 Cycles of Gemzar, followed by a w week rest. This monday I will start 7 weeks of continuous Chemo of 5FU in conjunction with radiation therapy. Then I have a 7 week rest and he will do more treatment with Gemzar. Everyone is very hopeful with me, but being in the profession I'm the one that is not too hopeful.