Pancreatic Cancer

[cqaigy2]

Anyone dealt with it?

My sister just diagnosed with it. They've done additional scans and don't see cancer anywhere else. Treatment plan is 3 months chemo, Whipple procedure, then possible 3 more months of chemo.

Not going to lie, i'm very worried about her.

First chemo treatment started last Friday 4/2, she became very nauseated, couldn't keep food or liquids down. They took the chemo pack off a few days ago, and she is just starting to have reduced nausea, unfortunately, any thing she tried to eat earlier, just makes her gag now, though she is starting to eat other things, thank goodness. I suspect, her 3 months of treatment are going to be a repeat of her first week.

 

[MoKelly]

I am very sorry.

I had a cousin with pancreatic cancer. She lived 4 years after the diagnosis. Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is really bad.

When my cousin got it, in 2016, the doctors said around 7% survive more than 5 years. Hopefully that number is way higher now.

Chemo is tough. My wife had chemo for breast cancer. It worked for her but she was sick after each treatment. You have to force yourself to get the necessary nutrition and try to keep up strength thru exercise. Easy for me to say - but she was very diligent.

Good luck and try to be positive as much as possible.

MoKelly

 

[Snobdds]

Not good. That one is a killer. It's good it hasn't spread, but damn...

My thought and prayers.

 

[/pine]

Have faith...my sister (now late 70's) had the Whipple procedure 6 years ago with no sign of the cancer since...

When the Whipple procedure was first developed the survival rate was very low...like some in the 20's....now it is well into the 80's-90's...

 

[ovrszd]

Prayers for your family. I'll focus on Pine's comments.

 

[Citydude]

My thoughts and prayers to your family. Thats a tough one.

 

[RjCorazza]

Sorry to hear this.
My mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2019. She was not a surgical candidate because of where the mass was (major blood vessels). At the time we were told 5% survive to 5 years, but that was a very broad statistic covering all pancreatic cancers and severities.
My mom tried one round of chemo, but could not tolerate the side effects. The side effects hospitalized her (she was 80) and she elected to go into a hospice program. We respected her wishes and supported her decision.
Every case is different, and each patient is different. I will say that at least with the chemo type my Mom was given, the first treatment can have the worst side effects and they were going to adjust the treatment to be more tolerable. My mom was made aware of this, but just didn't want to continue.

Prayers for you and your sister.

 

[cqaigy2]

Thanks everyone, for you kind and encouraging words.

I think at this point dealing with the immediate problem of her nausea from the chemo will be a challenge.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Thanks everyone, for you kind and encouraging words.

I think at this point dealing with the immediate problem of her nausea from the chemo will be a challenge.

see if she can tolerate smoking pot... if not, maybe some edibles. I have been in the medical field (as well as my sister and my daughter).... I have seen many patients that have been dramatically helped by cannabis.

 

[s219]

If it is operable with the Whipple procedure, then the outcome can be very good. That suggests it's a less severe form. It's important to make sure it cannot spread in the meantime.

Other types of pancreatic cancer (not the ones treatable with Whipple) are severe and very aggressive. Folks don't often get much time with those types of diagnoses.

Best wishes for your sister. I guess if it was me, I'd be a little bit thankful and optimistic that Whipple is an option. That sounds strange to say with a cancer diagnosis, but the other possibilities are so much worse.

 

[plowhog]

I think at this point dealing with the immediate problem of her nausea from the chemo will be a challenge.

Keeping weight on during chemo will be a challenge. The nausea depresses the appetite, and when you have dramatic weight loss quickly it causes other problems. I agree you should focus on how best to deal with the nausea-- the docs can worry about the bigger issues of course. You might ask about a anti-nausea Rx.

Even the smell of food preparation can become objectionable. Before I was on chemo, I had almost no sense of smell. But once chemo started, I could smell my wife cooking dinner even though I was a long ways down the hall in the master bedroom. It was sickening. I put towels under the door to keep the smell out. Then tried to eat quickly once the food arrived. Chemo is a rough road for many. I will keep you and her in my prayers.

 

[ovrszd]

Keeping weight on during chemo will be a challenge. The nausea depresses the appetite, and when you have dramatic weight loss quickly it causes other problems. I agree you should focus on how best to deal with the nausea-- the docs can worry about the bigger issues of course. You might ask about a anti-nausea Rx.

Even the smell of food preparation can become objectionable. Before I was on chemo, I had almost no sense of smell. But once chemo started, I could smell my wife cooking dinner even though I was a long ways down the hall in the master bedroom. It was sickening. I put towels under the door to keep the smell out. Then tried to eat quickly once the food arrived. Chemo is a rough road for many. I will keep you and her in my prayers.

Good friend of mine went thru similar problems. He couldn't stand the taste of silverware in his mouth. Had to use plastic.

 

[KennyG]

This is a tough situation. I've lost several friends and family members to pancreatic cancer and it was very difficult. However, there is reason for hope. Several other friends are recent survivors. The new therapies seem to have much better results. I know a researcher in this area. By doing chemo to reduce the tumor and then surgery, they are seeing better outcomes. The chemo is difficult, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[cqaigy2]

Good friend of mine went thru similar problems. He couldn't stand the taste of silverware in his mouth. Had to use plastic.

I dug out my back packing utensils, they are tough plastic so hold up much better than regular plastic.

 

[cqaigy2]

I thought i would post a short follow up.

My sister went through, chemo, then surgery, chemo/radiation therapy. Her last CT scan has been negative!!

 

[arrow]

Thanks everyone, for you kind and encouraging words.

I think at this point dealing with the immediate problem of her nausea from the chemo will be a challenge.

As you probably learned by now is that they adjusted the chemo cocktail based on tolerance so the side effects become lessened.
Glad to hear she is doing better.

 

[can do]

Anyone dealt with it?

My sister just diagnosed with it. They've done additional scans and don't see cancer anywhere else. Treatment plan is 3 months chemo, Whipple procedure, then possible 3 more months of chemo.

Not going to lie, i'm very worried about her.

First chemo treatment started last Friday 4/2, she became very nauseated, couldn't keep food or liquids down. They took the chemo pack off a few days ago, and she is just starting to have reduced nausea, unfortunately, any thing she tried to eat earlier, just makes her gag now, though she is starting to eat other things, thank goodness. I suspect, her 3 months of treatment are going to be a repeat of her first week.

Keep the faith ! & Praying , I had pancreatic cancer 4 years ago ! & it was the rarest form known as ampulary which is in the lower duct of the pancreas 6 months of chemo infusions , & oral pills (vile)! & the Whipple procedure came 1st , Which is the most complicated surgery known to man I lost my Gall bladder in the process ! My surgery took 8 hours , surviving the surgery alone is great news ! & going thru chemo was the hardest part seeing your fellow man give up & quit ! & those who are fighting like hell to live not survive it's a very tough battle. & my oncologist only gave me 50% chance of surviving ! All cancers must be in remission for 5 years to be considered a survivor ! I was blessed to have a great surgeon , & I have 13 months to go to say I'm cancer free! Just remember it is not a death sentence if caught early enough, Just remember keep the faith & keep believing, It is a tough road & lonely unless you know someone who has been thru it with no maps other than a belief in your self & your God.I pray for your sister,& her journey.

 

[Liquidsilver]

It is a tough one. Saying a prayer right now...

 

[ArlyA]

Hope she does well. Please keep us posted.

 

[stevebhailey]

This is such a heart-breaking news. Hoping for a speedy recovery.