My boyfriend, age 63, was diagnosed last in April 2007 Our original trip to U of A in Birmingham, was not very positive or hopeful. We checked out M D Anderson in Houston and did a self-referral on their website. We were there in June and July for 5 weeks of chemo & radiation, then a month to regain weight & strength and then he had the Whipple on Sept. 7th. (M D Anderson staged him at Stage II, but they only use three stages there, not the four stages that a lot of places use). He was in the hospital for 10 days recovering, and then we had to stay in the area for another 2 weeks, until they released us to come back to N W Florida. It was a difficult recovery, and he was a difficult and frequently uncooperative patient. He had problems with ascites (fluid leaking) after the surgery, so they re-stitche the fascia about 5 days after the sugery and left the wound open with retention sutures...not a pretty sight. I packed an open wound for 3 months before it finally healed, but heal it did and he is doing well now. He eats very well, had realized that his life can be pretty much normal again, and has recently started walking for exercise and getting himself ready to start some light jogging. He used to run 5 miles a day prior to getting sick with this.
I'm telling you all this because he is close to your mom's age and is doing very well. We talked to a few survivors of pancreatic cancer at M D Anderson, including one who has survived 14 years from diagnosis. I'd say don't give up. If your mom is in reasonably good health otherwise and wants to live, support her in the decision. Good luck to you and your mom.