CancerCompass message board discussion started by TammyG on 2/25/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,21306,0.htm Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I just logged on to this web-site this evening. My dad (72) was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this Tuesday. I'm still in shock, and not sure what to expect. How much time does he have? The did and endoscopy earlier this week and were going to put in a stint, but the tumor was too large for even the smallest stint. They have inserted an external stint for now and plan to do the "wibble" in 2 weeks if my dad is stronger. Then they will checkout the tumor and see what they are dealing with. They have not yet made a 100 percent diagnosis, but all symptoms indicate: light colored bowel movements, vomiting, diahrea, jaundice, weight loss etc. I feel so helpless waiting for a confirmed diagnosis, what if he doesn't last two weeks? I know he is prepared, he all settled with God. Amen for that. I've been told that a death from this disease is likely peaceful as you slip into a coma and pass. I also worry that I will get the disease. We believe my grandmother (my dad's mom)  died from this also, and I've had stomach issues all my life like my dad. I'm a 44 year old married mom with two young children. Any advice out there.  TammyG  TammyG Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi TammyG I am so sorry about your dad. A cancer diagnosis is always a terrifying thing. Traditional treatment does not always offer much hope for this type of cancer. Here is a website which should offer some encouragement.__________ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&d As for your stomach issues, I would say that your body is letting you know that it is out of balance and there are many things that you can do naturally to solve that problem before is worsens. I too had digestive type problems for years before my cancer diagnosis and took all kinds of medications trying to solve the issues. It wasn't until my diagnosis( tumors in my lungs and chest cavity) that I finally realized that I had just been masking symptoms of illness with drugs and all the while my body was sending me signals that nothing was working. When the cancer struck I started paying attention and researched cancer treatments to find what I was most comfortable with and confident in and I settled on alternative medicine. Through changes in my diet and using natural supplements and treatments etc. I now have no symptoms of disease and have never felt stronger or healthier. If you would like a copy of my Regimen (diet etc) you could send me a private message and I'll send it along. I have posted it here quite a few times but it may be hard to find in the archives. Blessings to you and your dad/ On 2/25/2008 TammyG wrote:I just logged on to this web-site this evening. My dad (72) was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this Tuesday. I'm still in shock, and not sure what to expect. How much time does he have? The did and endoscopy earlier this week and were going to put in a stint, but the tumor was too large for even the smallest stint. They have inserted an external stint for now and plan to do the "wibble" in 2 weeks if my dad is stronger. Then they will checkout the tumor and see what they are dealing with. They have not yet made a 100 percent diagnosis, but all symptoms indicate: light colored bowel movements, vomiting, diahrea, jaundice, weight loss etc. I feel so helpless waiting for a confirmed diagnosis, what if he doesn't last two weeks? I know he is prepared, he all settled with God. Amen for that. I've been told that a death from this disease is likely peaceful as you slip into a coma and pass. I also worry that I will get the disease. We believe my grandmother (my dad's mom)  died from this also, and I've had stomach issues all my life like my dad. I'm a 44 year old married mom with two young children. Any advice out there.  TammyG  Shemay Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT sorry about you dad.  PC is not a good diagnosis.  Survival largly depends on stage.  Most patients are diagnosed at stage 4 where the average is a year or so.  If its less than stage 4 then surgery is possible and survival can be longer.  There doesnt appear to be a real strong familial link with most PC so I wouldnt worry too much about that.  Let us know if we can help. Oncrx Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT I know the shock you feel. My father was diagnosed in December with adenocarcinoma - Stage 4. It spread to this lungs. Surgery was not possible. He tried 2 treatments of chemo which did not work. It eventually went to his liver and kidneys. By the time it hit his liver he had 1 week. He died 1 month ago - 1 month after getting diagnosed. He did vomit, loss weight, no jaundice until the end. It is a horrible disease. My advice to you is enjoy every moment with your dad. My father deteriorated so fast... torontogal Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sorry to hear about the bad news as cancer always is at any stage.  My father-in-law was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer when they  opened him up surgically to remove his gallbladder.  Imagine our surprise.  He had all of the symptoms you listed including pain.  When the surgeon saw the tumor they closed him back up and he was given 6 weeks to live.  He felt good for two months and as the cancer spread to his lungs he got weak and was put on oxygen.  My husband helped care for him and kept his spirits up.  Hospice was great in helping him be comfortable at home.  He lived for 4 and 1/2 months.  Always have hope, the human spirit is incredible.   Best wishes,Mandy mandy1970 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Focus on your fathers personal and emotional needs and talk about everything you need to say about today the past and the future.  It is a fast disease and your time goes quicker than you think so don't put anything off.  The doctors have no idea of how long you have as I was told 18 months and we had just 3 weeks.  Get a lot of support from friends and family and have them do the research to find out what additional options to traditional medicine you may have with diet, supplements, Reiki and prayer.  While weight loss is a concern I would avoid sugar as it feeds the Cancer and focus on adding cruciferiouss vegetables in supplements or eating if possible.  This is what I was told by the doctors and nutritionists.  Find out what is a good hospital to go to if you need to so you do not have poor care to add to this struggle.  The doctors unfortunately are not all  helpful as they are many times emotionally disconnected.  I went to the Mayo Clinic and they were great and were primarily focussed on my mom's health and pain in comparison to our local hospital and doctors who would not drain her stomach or assist in the swelling of her feet.  You are your Fathers primary advocate so don't wait for others to help.My Prayers are with you as I also know of many who have fought this a long time.  Troy  HopeIsLove Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi....I had my gallbladder out last year after having been ill for almost six months. Since then, I am SO much better, though I still have occasional stomach issues. My dad also died of Pancreatic cancer this year, so that fear is somewhat looming over me. I have changed my diet with even more vegetables, legumes etc...all the while cutting down on meat and chicken. I would love to hear what kind of diet changes you have made that you feel have augmented your health. Thanks in advance..Michael ..email: --Message edited by CancerCompass staff. For personal protection, email address removed. Consider private reply. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html-- MichaelSF Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 2/25/2008 torontogal wrote:I know the shock you feel. My father was diagnosed in December with adenocarcinoma - Stage 4. It spread to this lungs. Surgery was not possible. He tried 2 treatments of chemo which did not work. It eventually went to his liver and kidneys. By the time it hit his liver he had 1 week. He died 1 month ago - 1 month after getting diagnosed. He did vomit, loss weight, no jaundice until the end. It is a horrible disease. My advice to you is enjoy every moment with your dad. My father deteriorated so fast...I am very concerned for my sister after reading your post today.She was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, then they said it was more favorable to Cholangiocarcinoma which is bile duct cancer. The GI doc along with myself think it is pancreatic cancer, as my aunt died of PC just over 6 years ago. My sister has had three Chemo treatments of Gemzar and is very weak, not wanting to eat, wants to sleep all day and is fidgety all night, has some intermittent pain in back and stomach area.What signs did you see in your father from diagnoses on..I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing. I, too, know the pain and can surely empathize with you. Time really does heal, even when you think it is impossible. My dad was everything to me, and I was a grown woman with children. But his passing was bitter/sweet and yet difficult. He had a heart attack and lived 5 years after the first one. So we felt very blessed. Now that time has passed, my heart warms to tender thoughts of times spent with my dad. These memories and wonderful life lessons he shared with me are mine....forever, and they comfort me.I pray comfort to come to you, in the joy of your dad being your dad and having him for the time you did. My kids lost their dad when they were in highschool. This was hard! When someone dies when they are older we have to celebrate their lives and comfort in the fact that they are not suffering...but "living" once again. My dad used to call it graduation...*smile*. Blessings,my sister's voiceeaglessoar    eaglessoar Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi, I am a survivor of this disease and doing well for a long time already.  So I know that it is possible to survive and flourish.  It is a dificult road with many roadblocks.I always thought that Pancreatic Cancer WAS linked to family.  I had 2 cousins pass from this disease.  We did not know about it then but it certainly runs in my family.  My adult children know about it now and watch their own health.  Everyone I know who has this disease has other family members who had it.  My secretary had it, had surgery and is also doing well.  Her son had it, had surgery and,too, is doing well.  So, I think to say it is not linked to family history is not accurate.  Now, I am not a Dr. and can only speak from my own knowledge.LH Nysurvivor Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT I asked my husband's oncologist if PC ran in families because I was worried about the kids. He said that there is a familial form of PC, but it only accounts for about 10% of the cases. I don't know how they determine if you have that form, Surely, other family member with PC would be an indication. President Carter lost both parents, two sisters and his brother to PC- there's clearly a family connection there!.  This is something you should ask your oncologist about. I would also ask if there are any clinical studies being done that your children could participate in  that will hopefully help lead to better  earlier detection. The Wife Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT the mayo clinic had a clinical trial on now you qualify if there has been pc in your family and you have pc now. my husband passed away on Feb 4/08 from this disease. He took twelve weeks of gemzar and at first had good results. Don't eat alot of sugar but when you take chemo it seems to hurt your protein levels and Don craved chicken it's the protein creatine that the body lacks. Don had chicken 5 days a week and I added protein powder to any meal I could. My prayers are with you all and I can only state the same spend as much time with your loved one as possible. We were fortunate Don remained lucid, pain free, mobile eating well but it doesn't always happen that way. janome57 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT