On 2/16/2008
eaglessoar wrote:
Thank you, Leonard,
I am not sure if this is a Klatskin Tumor, need to look it up...but am looking for folks with info regarding Gemzar, side effects and suggestions for improving the side effects of the chemo as well as the cancer...prognosis w/o resection for pancreatic and/or bile duct cancer.
My sister decided not to go to Mayo Clinic. We had an appointment, but she opted to take the treatment at home with her family near, to have quality time with them. Her cancer has met to her liver. I am still trying to find out the stage, prognosis, and if it is in fact bile duct or pancreatic cancer, and ways to improve the quality of her life now.
Thank you for any ideas to provide better quality of life to my sister. I have been able to share the stories and strength of many on this board with my sister.
May your wife be blessed and you, too.
My sister's voice
eaglessoar
Good Morning Eaglessoar,
It Sunday morning February 17th around 10:30am. It's a bright sunny morning, with a cold chill in the air, but all in all...things could be worse.
I've read your latest message and I am very sorry to hear the latest decision by your sister Bonnie...but I totally understand her desire to be home with her family. We keep talking about quality of life over quanity of life and Bonnie's decision is her way of wanting to spend her last period in life with her family and not alone in some damn hospital. Naturally it's not going to be easy for the family members watching her go through this difficult situation...but her wishes to be surrounded and comforted by family must be honored.
I'm sorry, I have no experience with Gemzar Chemo Therapy. I believe I mentioned in one of my past messages that my wife (Karen) had oral chemo when the cancer re-surfaced in one more lymph node...the side effects were nothing compared to some of the stories we have heard about standard chemo.
Your message said Bonnie decided NOT to go to the Mayo Clinic for treatment...I assuming the doctors at the Mayo Clinic told Bonnie that surgery was not an option. Again, as you know from previous messages, any solution for this type of cancer is surgery, chemo and radiation are low on the list of successful treatments...in fact what I've become aware of is that the patient goes through hell with these treatments.
You also mentioned your concern regarding Bonnie's stage, prognosis and if it is bile duct or pancreatic cancer...I'm confused about the lack of imformation that has been passed on to you and Bonnie. These are very serious questions about very serious issues and without knowing the answers, I don't know how Bonnie can want to spend time at home when just maybe the doctor's at the Mayo Clinic can help or maybe not. I'm sure Bonnie knows how she feels inside to make that decision to stay home, and she most likely knows more then she maybe saying to others...
Please give Bonnie a hug for us and let her know she is in our prayers.
Just a little thought I'd like to pass on to you. When my wife was in the hospital and preparing for surgery, I emailed all our family members and friends and updated them. This helped a lot, because calling and talking to everyone wasn't that easy along with the fact that you always forget to tell each person all the facts...emailing them meant they all received the same message. In one of my emails, I asked everyone to stop what they were doing for just 1 minute at 10:00am every morning and just offer some warm loving thoughts in Karen's direction....It worked...
Thank you for allowing me to share some of these thoughts with you.
Leonard, Alamo California