My mother-in-law is at the end-stage of pancreatic cancer, and it is very difficult to watch. She was diagnosed in October 2001, had unsuccessful surgery in November (inoperable tumor), and began Gemzar chemo in January 2002. She discontinued chemo in late May, because her doctor said the Gemzar "had done about all it could do" in holding the cancer at bay. After 10 days of hospitalization in June with a fever and urinary tract infection, she came home for 2-3 weeks. She is now in a nursing home, comatose, with ever-increasing dosages of morphine by pump and by mouth. She has edema in her abdomen, legs, feet and hands, and fluid in her lungs. Hospice has been very supportive, but this has got to be one of the worse ways to die. I hope for breakthroughs in prevention, early detection and treatment in the future.
Melanie