Latest Pancreatic Cancer discussions http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/cancers/pancreatic-cancer/1,0,119,27.htm Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hello there. My mother was just diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma of the pancreas. The Dr. that she has now says that they are going to treat her with just injections of docetaxel and gemcitabine. This doesn't seem right since all of the research that I have done so far suggest that the removal or partial removal of the pancreas or a Whipple procedure is required. So I am looking for a center or a doctor that has experience with leiomyosarcoma of the pancreas. Does anyone know where the best center/dr. in the country is located? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,24058,0.htm rmd1105 Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am 50, just turned in January, in Feb I was told that I had 6 mos to live.my CA 19 9 was at 344, and I had a CT assisted biopsy.  Started Gemzar once per week for 3 weeks and off for 1 week to be repeated for 6 treatments.   Treatments 1 - 4 weren't too bad, very tired, but with each treatment it took longer and longer to recover. by the 5th treatment, within 24 hours the lower half of my body was swollen, no a little but a lot, there was not much different in my legs from my knees to my feet.  The ankles disappeared completly.  That took 5 days of bed rest and my feet elevated, to get over.  By the 6th treatment the swelling was more intense and now accompanied by very intense pain.  That took 2 full weeks to recover from.  The medical staff at the Oncoloy department, said that it has nothing at all to do with the Gemzar, but can not tell me what is causing this, swelling & pain.  I had decided at the end of April that the effects and recovery were just not worth the treatment.  However, when I went in to tell them that, my CA 19 9 came in at 58.  I insisted on another CT scan, and to my suprise my mass has decreased by 1 cm long and 1 cm wide.  I have a trip planed next week, that will require my felling good.  And right now I feel great.  My family told me yesterday that it is good to have me back.So, I suppose that when I get back in June, I will begin the Gemzar again but at a lesser dosage.    The point of all of this is that I am wondering what side effect others have experienced.  I only get fatigue and the Swelling.Please share your experience with me. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,24027,0.htm vandyrenee Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Today I was informed once again that my latest CT scans have shown no change since I began a phase two clinical trial of RAD001 for pancreatic cancer. At the very beginning of the trial my liver leisions were reduced considerably.I am now beginning the 17th cycle (month) of RAD001 treatment for my non-functioning islet cell pancreatic cancer with mets to the liver. My liver tumors remain reduced and to date there have been no new sites. My bloodwork has been good.Thus far the side effects have been very tolerable for me and very worth while.Quality of life is precious.Good can happen when you least expect it. Gary Lombardi, New Hampshire ,DX 2006  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,24025,0.htm pancreaticgary Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Okay, I am trying to find information about sarcomatoid carcinoma in the pancreatic area.My dad had the "Whipple procedure" done, but now they are saying he has this extremely rare combination of the sarcomatoid being in this area. We are in Chicago and even they are saying they've only seen three if these in recent history. He is scared as to what might happen next. Anyone else had this combo?  Thank you -  Mike http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23936,0.htm Mike6131 Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT My father went in for whipple surgery this past week. Once they got in it was found that the tumor was too large and could not be removed. As I understand it, the tumor was too close to the aorta. It was also found that the cancer has spread to his lymph nodes. The doctor removed his gall bladder and did a little rearranging of his intenstines. He also gave him some sort of alcohol block whic along with the rearranging is suppose to help with some pain relief and allow him to consume some food. The doctor also said he was in stage III possibly stage IV. This is still all so new to me, my dad has been in a lot of pain for some time now. He has been in and out of the hospital a few times for dehydration and was at the point that he could not eat or drink anything. One blood test showed negative for cancer the other showed high readings which indicated cancer. His pet scan did not light up any organs indicating cancer and the original biopsy was inconclusive. What makes it even worse is that I live in a different state than my parents. My mother and brothers have been relaying all of the information to me until I can get there to be with him in about 2 weeks. I have been trying to do as much research as I can which is not giving me much hope. When my  mother asked the doctor how long he thought my dad had in his experience, he suggested six months to a year. They have an appointment for an oncologyist to visit them in the hospital on Monday and after hearing what he has to say in regards to treatments she is considering contacting the cancer center as well. Right now my dad is still recovering from the surgery itself, they only took the drains and ports out today but he is still feeling nausia, which I understand could be due to the rearrangement of the organs. I just pray that if the timeframe the doctor is suggesting is true that my dad is able to live out his days without being in the pain that he has been in thus far. I am also hoping he agrees to at least some of the treatments offered, although I am not familiar with the treatments as of yet. All I know is that my mother is tough she is a figher and will not give up which is what my dad needs right now. Right now I am so very angry, a lot because I am not able to be there with him right now and partly because he is such a wonderful man. He would never hurt a fly and yet he is being put through so much agony. The only thing I know to do is be a supportive as I can make sure that he knows how much he is loved.   http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23911,0.htm Helene0710 Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Due to aggressive medical doctors, we have fought PC since August of 2003.  We had the Whipple in Sept 2003 cancer was  aggressively back in Aug 2003 - they were suspicious at the 6 month check up. My suggestions:1. Keep notes of what the doctors say. Be more aggressive than this cancer!!!!!!2. search the iternet for news3. We low carbed since cancers feed on sugar4. We watch the CA-19-9 count, changing chemos when it rises.5. We monitor temperature, blood pressure, blood sugar levels and amount of water intake daily (we strive for 64oz) We have fought thru:1. Swelling from congestive heart failure Sept 2005)2. Loss of blood from blood thinners3.  Blood clots in the leg (put in filters Nov 2007)4. Shingles July 20075. Pneumonia (Sept 2007)6. Would not, could not eat (Nov  2007 - Mar 2008) We eat ALOT of hot cereal cooked with whole milk instead of water.  Oatmeal, cream of wheat Coco Wheats with an extra tablespoon of unsweetned chocolate per serving added to the milk.7.  Fluid in the lining of the lung Jan 2008 - present)  Drained about once a month8.Currently we are dealing with a partially collapsed lung, enlarged spleen,THE GOOD NEWS is that the doctors think it may have stablized, the AT scans are showing that  tumors look about the same.Our CA 19-9 count is 10,300 down from 59,000 in late last year.We have been on lots of chemos, but current we are having mixed drugs.Avastin and Gemzar on day one with accompanying nausea medicines ,the next day Oxliplatin(?) over 3-4 hours because of nausea.  Hope this encourages someone and helps us all - there are long term survivors out there.  I would love to hear from some, please reply to this post or the message board with how long your fight has been with successes alng the way.Bless all of you, this is not a journey for wimps.  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23907,0.htm Sept2003cancerwife Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi Our world was turned upside down 8 weeks ago when my father collapsed at home.  At first they thought it was stomach ulsers but upon closer examination they discovered a problem with his pancreatic ducts bleeding.  They removed all of his pancreas, spleen and duodenum.  When they took it all out they discovered that he had mucusey cells and tumors throughout his pancreas that have matastised.  They found it in one duct.  Two weeks later he then found a lump on his neck.  The cancer is a rare type I think it is called Mucinous Ductal Ectasia.  We have been given no real timeframe and they are looking to do radiation to the neck if it is just there.  I am sadly realistic about the outcome of this disease but are in search of the question how long, is it days, weeks, months or years.  They do believe it is a slow growing cancer and it has been in his body for 4-5 years but how close to the end is it??  My father is not really sick and seems to be getting better/recovering from the surgury http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23901,0.htm macca Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT I had a whipple operation 1/15/08.  I started having stomach spasms the beginning of February.  I've tried different meds, but can't seem to get rid of the spasms.  It's been almost 3 months with severe spasms that take my breath away. Any ideas on how to stop the spasms or what's causing them?Thanks, jeri  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23887,0.htm jeril Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi everyone,My 61 year old mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer back in November of 2007 and she has already undergone surgery to create a bypass from the stomach to the intestines, had her gall bladder removed, had a J-peg added, and in February 2008 underwent radiation and her first round of chemo, both of which nearly killed her. She lost somewhere in the ballpark of 50 pounds since this all has happened. (She was petite to begin with.)She had begun her second round of chemo perhaps a month or so ago, and had never really recouperated from the first round and was very weak. She had become completely bed-ridden and the doctors finally requested that she be admitted to the hospital on Monday of this week because she had to cancel several chemo appointments due to her weakness. (She was beginning to fall when she didn't have assistance.) Since being in the hospital she is slowly regaining weight back, and we received some incredible news after having two CT scans this week, it appears that her tumor has shrunk significantly!! We consider this nothing short of a miracle. So while Mom now has some time to concentrate on regaining her weight and her strength to eventually continue with chemo, her doctors have decided to take her off of regular food to give her bowels a break since they were damaged by the radiation/chemo. (She has had diarrhea since January's surgery.)They now have her tethered to IV fluids, magnesium, fat, several oral medicines, and this big bag of what they call TPN (the nutrition that she will be using even after she comes back home, which is fed directly into her pic line).  My questions:Mom is concerned about a few things and I am wondering if anyone else has experience with damaged bowels from treatment for pc and if they were given the TPN for a while. Mom wants to know approximately when she might be able to eat real food again. Like, when or what will she feel that will let her know her bowels are healed enough if she is not having bowel movements for some time.And also, she is concerned that if she does not have bowel movements for a while, when she DOES begin to have them again, will it be physically difficult for her body to perhaps "relearn" this procedure, or will there be pain, etc.?Anybody's experience would be greatly appreciated. I know that each patient with pc is unique, but I would love to be able to ease my Mom's concerns with at least some "average" experiences. Thank you all for participating in this great message board, and God bless you all!Sharon     http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23880,0.htm Musical1 Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Has anyone else heard this? We were told that a person that has the whipple surgery physically ages by 10 years.  So, a 50 yr. old would actually have the body/health of a 60 yr. old. After Whipple.  I'm not sure how factual it is but I would guess after seeing what people go through I would definatly belive it. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23869,0.htm zanam Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT  Ok, I will fill in some blanks about my dad since the 1st go around I was pretty vauge.  My dad  went into the VA only to have an out patient Gallbladder surgery.  Minutes before the operation the surgen came out and asked my mom if while he was "in there" she or my dad would mind if he "looked around" a bit.  He had never met my dad before that day and after looking over his chart the night before thought there had to be more going on with him than his gallbladder.  Lack of appitite, tired, weight loss, irritability...etc.  I didn't even go to the hospital with them initally since he would be in and out of surgery and back home in a few hours.  After about 3 hours of no word from my mom we began to worry. Moments later the phone rang and it was my mom. She said the surgen had just come out and told her to get thier kids there ASAP...he didn't have good news.  At this point I had no idea he had anything going on other than the GB surgery.  When we got to the VA the surgen came out to talk to us.  He said my dad had something horribly wrong with his pancreas and he needed to do a Whipple Surgery ASAP.  If we didn't do it right then he probably would not have a chance of making it off of the table alive.  He also said at this point that had he not came in that day he would have only lived a max. of 20 days.  We went into this whole Whipple thing totally unprepared.  We had no idea of the risks, outcome...nothing. His pancreas was discribed to us as a shriveled up piece of bacon.  He did not have a typical whipple (per the surgen) he removed the whole pancreas, alot of his intestine and of course re-routed everything.  He was in ICU for 8 days before moving to a regular room.  On day 9 they had to re-open him because his lower intestine was leaking.  He then spent the additional 38 days.  During this time he did not have a bowel movement, did not eat any food (liquids only) , he had no physical therapy.  He lost 100 pounds and I would say  ALOT of muscle mass.  He literally went in a vibrant man and came out an old man.  He does take prescribed enzymes(plaretase 8000/pancrelipase USP tablets/lipase 8000 USP units/protease 30,000 units/ amylase 30,000 units: this is all on bottle on the enzyme pill.)...although after reading these posts I'm not sure he is taking enough.  He takes 4 pills 3 times a day 1/2 hour before eating.  He also now takes epoetine injection 10,000 units 2x weekly for anemia, metoprololtartrate 100 mg one tablet 2x a day for heart and blood pressure, terazosin/hcl 10mg 1x day for prostate, nifedipine 90 mg 1x a day for blood pressure, furosemide 40 mg at night and 80 mg tuesday, thursday, saturday and sunday. , levothyroxine .075 mg 1 table 3x a day before meals (thyroid), polysaccharide complex (iron) 150 mg. 2x a day (aniema), B12-1000 mg.shot 1x every 30 days for nutrition. Multi-vitamin senior formula tablet 1x daily.  He takes lantis(glargine) morning and night and novelog(aspart) at lunch for diabetes.  With no pancreas he is known as a "brittle diabetic." He can go from blood sugar readings of 650 to 28 in a matter of hours.  WIth no pancreas controling his blood sugar is almost impossible.  He had seen several nutritonist and they basically throw their hands in the air after a few weeks.  Within the 1st year of the whipple he had a heart attack and had stints put in, (3) I think.  And also had a hernia operation.Due to his diabetes he has congestive heart failure and kidney disease now.  He is supposed to (per nutritionist) eat low carb, low fat, low protien and still consume approx. 3000 calories to gain weight.  FOr a person that can barely eat that is alot of food.  Honestly at this point I just think it is more important to figure out what he CAN eat with out getting sick and perk him up then worry about tweeking it after he has gained some weight and is physically feeling better? I'm not sure but that is what my gutt says.  He is 6'4" and 175-180 now.  He looks like a skeleton. He has shaking in his left hand/arm almost constantly.  He is freezing cold all of the time...he sleeps on the couch with a down comforter, a winter coat and a heating pad, year round almost all day.  He does go to physical theapy m-w-th to ride a stationary bike for 1 hour.  That is pretty much all of his activity at this point.  Since the whipple, food tastes horrible most days.  It seemed like it was getting better and then a few weeks ago it is back, worse than ever.  He says most things taste to salty.  Well, I think that is pretty much it.  I'm sure I forgot something...but I will update any info. I am sending this back to you and I will post it again on the message board. Seems like Charlotte's husband is very similar to my dad.  I am sorry this is so long but I guess it had to be.  Again, I (we) very much apperciate all of you responses and just the fact that you care enough to help.  Already you have offered more help then the medical feild has given us in 6 years!  Bless you.  Zana  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23868,0.htm zanam Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Has anyone dealt with this issue and what were your results. My husband has pancreatic cancer with the lymph nodes behind cancerous and this was found out during surgery which was supposed to remove the mass on his pancreas but they could not and just sewed him up. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23841,0.htm gibbie7 Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT  My dad had the whipple 6 years ago and was in the hospital for 47 days.  He has never been the same since.  He is weak, tired, quiet, moody, food tastes terrible....etc. We have been trying to find someone to help our situation for years.  Finally today my parents met with the surgen who preformed the surgery.  He seems to be the last hope.  My dad goes to the VA hospital in Sturgis, SD and it seems like nobody gives us any help.  It's just like we are treated as though we are needlessly complaining.  Until you or a family member goes through the whipple you have NO IDEA how horrible it can be.  My dad went into the hospital a vibrant, happy, 280 lb., dark haired man and 47 days later was 180 lbs., gray haired and basically an old man.  He was only 59 at the time.  I have watched him and my mom suffer for years.  There is no way my dad could have ever went back to work.  His day is basically consumed with sleeping on the couch.  He eats but complains about nothing tasting good.  He has had loose stools for 6 years.  Not to be gross by they are very oily and usually his soiled undies get thrown away.  His surgen is sending him to Minneapolis to see the VA surgen there, hoping that he will receive better care there.  It's not that the doctors here haven't tried to help...I just don't think they have a clue what the whipple does to a person and the on going care they need.  I feel so horrible for my mom...bless her, she has been right there with him.  My dad did not have cancer but it was suspected.  There was a growth on the pancreas and the surgen said his pancreas looked like a shriveled piece of bacon.  He also mentioned that this was not a typical Whipple...musch worse.  Has anyone been through this or have any advice for us.  Thank you. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23836,0.htm zanam Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hello Everyone I'm New Here I've been searching Everywhere for any information on Screening . My husbands father was just diagnosed with pacreatic cancer it is in his lungs and liver. His doctor is taking there sweet old time with getting the stage the only thing they say is he can't do chemo. He had blood taken--some number came back at 600 and he had a ct scan-mri-they are talking about biopsy but nothings clear yet other then he has it. My husbands fathers two brothers just died of this and both his parents died of it!! My husbands brother is now having issue's with plugged bile ducts in that area and is diabetic. And I just had a baby boy!I am scared for my father in law my husband and now my little boy!!My husband is only 34 I need to be as proactive as possible what can i do?? I can't raise babies without him Anyway to find out about my son what are the chances for him?Another thing that is really hard are the stages of grief his dad will not talk about it....he's pushing everyone away!My husbands starting to drink because he's so depressed thinking he's next i'm sooo need of help what do i do?I http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23784,0.htm MRSROCK2006 Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT My father was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer on the 16th February and operated on the 13th March (Whipple Procedure) and only been home two weeks with everytime he eat something it comes up and now been given medication (vomidon) which has Domperidone in it which makes him come out in sweats and last about an hour (this is good though as he does not vomit).  My father is a very strong person and wants to resume to his normal duties although is legs are caving in when he gets up and his taste buds are not what they were before.... can you help with letting me know that this could be something normal with this procedure.  Not only did he have the Whipple Procedure but he also went down to theatre twice after to clean out (so they told my mother) but my father was told that they went down to take out more...... why would they do this with after someone suffering so much........if you can please help http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23746,0.htm dereksdaughter Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT have neuroendocrine tumor,today i was told there is no-one in maui hi who can help me,i need to no where i can go to get help right away,i am very sick,my inc,only pays in hi so i don't have any money to get help,does anyone anywhere no where i can get help,in an country does not matter,all i know is they cant help me in maui hi..please help me if you can. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23629,0.htm AKASHA Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT I lost my brother April 21,2008,he was fighting to the end.He was battling pancreatic and stomach cancer.I feel such a loss,but he was not in a lot of pain at the end,I am so grateful for that.He just close his eye and went to sleep. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23592,0.htm franchelia Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hello,My husbands CA 19 level was 1, 600 in Feb. when first diagnosed with Stage IV before chemo, went down to 816 on 3-31-08 after the start of chemo and are now 2,273 during chemo.Just had scans and there is only a tumor in the tail of the pancreas with no other tumors showing anywhere, but the biopsy in Feb. showed a node in the liver; which they tell us, he is not elliegible for surgery.Is this normal?  Does this happen to other peoples CA levels?   http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23581,0.htm Operista Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT I underwent a full Whipple procedure on February 25th. My initial recovery went smoothly and I was released after 6 days in the hospital. However, 3 days later I began to vomit profusely and was readmitted, suffering from delayed gastric emptying. I spent 4 weeks additional waiting for my stomach and intestines to work together again. Finally, after a baloon dialation, things started to work. I have been home for 2 weeks and began a part time schedule at work this week. I work in downtown Chicago and commute by train from the suburbs.I am now looking for an every-day oncologist--all I had was a surgical oncologist--and have seen one doctor. I have a second opinion next week.My tumor was cancer but all my lymph nodes are clean. There appears to be no spread.Does anyone know what the normal treatment is for post Whipple surgery--for pancreatic cancer? Is it a combination of radiation and chemo, chemo only, or ? The first doctor recommended 6 months of Gemzar chemo with no radiation. He said there is little to prove that radiation makes a difference. I have no idea what to believe and need advice in which doctor to go with, once I see the second. Any information, stories, or advice would be greatly approeciated.Thanks http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23556,0.htm stephen22 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT My Mom had pancreatic cancer... it took the doctors FOREVER to find it... she was healthy and weighed about 140 by the time they found it she was down to 100 pounds.... She did end up having surgery and they took the pancreas out.... she is diabetic now because of it BUT SHE DID SURVIVE!!!!!!!!!!! her surgery was in Oct of 2006... here it is April of 2008!!!please don't let the doctors tell you there is nothing they can do... because THEY CAN... my family has been through it!!!My Mom didn't not have any chemo treatments or anything like that, as they said she was just too weak... She isn't in the best health yet...but she is alive... and to me that is better then what could've been....Pancreatic cancer is one that is more likely to come back, and can spread...so if I were you I would tell those doctors to do the surgery and take the pancreas OUT!! you can survive with out it....  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23553,0.htm longhaul Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am at a lost for words and do not know what happens next. We went to a cancer Dr. and her said it does not look good and there may be nothing they can do. PLEASE someone tell us what to do, she will not eat and she is fading away. Nothing taste the same and we still allow her to smoke. I am scared and my sister and I don't know what to do. We love her and can never imagine life without her but, we don't want her to suffer. We are beside ourselves, she stays with my sister away from this hateful town we are from where people she has not seen in years would love to see her at a glance just to say they have seen her suffer. I don't understand how others think. There was one man that stopped at my home while she was outside smoking before she left, he said, "They got you dead and burried down the road". My mother made my sister take her tback to her house away from here. How can people be so cold and hateful, I will never understand. All of her paperwork is in order and we will do whatever she ask. We have family that does not speak to her and I just cannot grasp thi hate thing. I am angry that she has to die this painful way. My sister and I would do anything to save her. when the Dr. told jer she had this, he just sent us home, I wish there was some social worker or someone that could have helped us understand what we were facing. No bedside manor at all, we all just left broken hearted with no answers for her. Pray for us all please, and if there is anyone out there that has any answers, PLEASE tell us what is in store for us, we don't understand. They told us she will not be here for Christmas so we are gonna have Christmas in July for her.  :-( http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23531,0.htm mywonderfulmother Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT My husband was dx'd in July 2007 and had the whipple in August 2007.  The tumor was in the ampullary duct but the dx is pancreatic cancer.  It metacisized to the lymph nodes 2 out of 6.  He under went 5 weeks of radiation and chemo at the same time.  Gemzar and tarceva.  He became very ill at the end with a lot of distention in his stomach and a lot of consistent pain across the top of the stomach and down the front.  In January he had a pet scan and it showed no cancer.  His CA-19 count last time was 39.  Things are suppose to be looking good BUT!  He has been vomiting since February almost daily and a few times a day.  We can not find any consistency in the reasons why he would be vomiting.  He has been on the same pain medication since July and we have even tried changing that and it made no difference.  He was suppose to start a new regiment of chemo in February of gemzar and xelodel but when they tried just the gemzar in February for 2 weeks he became progressively worse.  They stopped the gemzar after the first round and just a week ago they tried starting the xeledol.  When he took the xeledol the normal vomiting turned into projectile vomiting w/o warning.  He stopped the xeledol and we are waiting to see the oncologist on Wednesday.  I'm really at a lost because if he has no cancer, is this from the whipple?  Has anyone experienced sever vomiting?  We have seen GI specialists, pulmonary specialists and the oncologist.  No one knows why and we don't know what to do.  My husband tells me he's going to die soon.  He's not giving up but he is soooo weak and can't get past this.  Any help would be deeply appreciated.  My husband just turned 48.  Too young!Thanks, Michele   http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23528,0.htm Mich1031 Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am wondering if anyone can give me any information about my dad's latest difficulty with fighting this terrible disease. He is having a very difficult time with a "full" feeling all the time. His stomach is very distended and now he is running a fever of 100.6. My mom took him to the Dr. and they drew blood and did an xray but then just said "we'll call you." "If you don't hear from us, then head home and get this antibiotic filled."  I am so mad right now! I feel like they are just saying stuff to pacify my parents and they are of the generation to just take what the doctor tells them and do nothing else. I am so afraid that they just arent doing enough!  Also, does anyone have any experience with cancer treatment centers of america? I am thinking we are going to have to try somewhere else. Maybe I am in denial but I am only 32 and I am not ready to lose my father! He is not ready to give up either! Please someone help me! My husband is deployed and my father is sick and I am about to lose it!Thank you and God Bless http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23524,0.htm FamilyFighter Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT My dad has agreed to enroll in a trial for treatment for his stage IV PC (mets to liver) with Tarceva & RAD001.  He has had gemzar/tarceva with limited success followed by ablation to his original 2 spots in liver.  Today they spotted 2-3 very small (but new) spots in the liver.  The Dr. thinks this trial may help before they go back to the shelf of traditional chemos.  Does anyone know or have any experience with RAD001?   Thanks, and bless all of you fighting or supporting someone who is fighting this terrible disease.Matt http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23520,0.htm matthogan Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT She's gone - at 12:30 am on the 28th. I feel I can finally take a breath. She didn't suffer in the end but we all did watching her take such labored breaths. Why we can let our animals die with dignity and we have watch our loved one's suffer it out. She was out of pain for the last 4 days but watching her you couldn't help be want to have her go. Anyway, thanks for the replies, I did have a better understanding of what was happening. Her husband and her daughter were with her and they played their wedding song and both held her until her last breath. She was very peaceful and quiet for the last hour. So, now God has my baby and I know he will take good care of her. But, oh how I miss her already. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23508,0.htm CarolJan Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT