My husband is 35 yrs old and has been diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer which has metastisized to the liver. The whipple procedure was aborted due to the fact the cancer has spread. He has done one research with the Gemzar and Erbotux treatment. Great treatment. Side effects were mild for him. Nausea which his medication of ativan helped. and flu like symptoms for 2 to 3 days. Still had quality of life to keep up with 2 year old daughter. Mild fatigue. His hair went straight and eye lashes grew. Had moderate rash that was like teen acne it started on his face and worked its way down to his back. Not his chest or front. Used Aveeno moisturizing cream and kept skin moisturized and used aveeno oatmeal baths to relieve any itching from the rash. He was on that for over 9 months and it was working. But he had an obstruction in his stent and it had to be replaced. But because that caused his count numbers to go up it stopped the research because he no longer fit in the criteria. That research had shrank most of his tumors in his liver some of the tumors had disappeared and also shrank his tumor on his pancreas. My husband had a new stent put in and his cancer has not had chemo or any other treatment since April and its now September. 5 months and his cancer has shrank a little in his liver but a new 3cm spot has shown up. The cancer on his pancreas is stable. The doctor has advised a new treatment called the Folfox 6 regimen. It is a bi weekly regimen. The side effects sound scary. Severe diareha, hand foot syndrom (itching or tingling of hands and feet), mouth sores, low blood count, Severe nerve sensitivity to coldness. Of course the docotr has offered medications to help with the side effects. I was just wondering if anyone else out there has gone through this and if you have any advise..
Were both scared and young. We have been blessed due to the fact that the doctors said he had only 6 months to live and we are hitting 18 months and still have the will and strength to keep going. My prayers and thoughts are to all who are going through this emotional battle in our lives...
Jenny