Pancreatic cancer (also called cancer of the pancreas) is represented by the growth of a malignant tumour within the small pancreas organ. Each year about 31,00...
|
Length of time between dx & Whipple
|
Watch this |
| View More Posts |
Hi Everyone,
I am new here and looking for some guidance/advice/info. My dad just told me that he has been diagnosed with Stage 2 pancreatic cancer (with lymph node involvement). I have a bit of a medical background and am very concerned with his treatment plan. He is having some serious symptoms already which include messed up enzymes, becoming diabetic, being ill whenever he eats, diahrrea,about 25-30 lbs of weight-loss, elevated liver enzymes and a blockage in his bile duct. He claims his PET scan showed only pancreatic and 1 lymph node is involved. His doctor is waiting to do the Whipple until May which seems extremely stupid to me. Has anyone waited this long? With our previous experiences, it was a matter of 2-3 weeks not several months. He has been sick since Jan/Feb. and I find it odd that they would wait before doing the surgery. My dad is doing some chemo and had to have a stent put in for a bile duct blockage a few weeks ago. My husband's aunt died of pancreatic cancer back in 96 at 56 and another friend a few years ago at 50 so I have gone through this before. It went so fast and was so painful for them. I am not sure he is being honest with us about his diagnosis severity since he told us that he has an "excellent prognosis" (when is there ever an excellent prognosis with this horrific disease?) I think he is trying to put on a front for the rest of my immediate family. He won't tell anyone else -- not his family or friends. I too am usually the strong one and caretaker when this type of stuff happens (my mother has battled lymphoma since 2001 and I took care of her for 3 years.) My brother disappears and then it is just me caring for my parents. My mom is in "dreamland" about this and is acting like it is just another day in the neighborhood. I know she will fall apart when things start progressing and with all the pain meds, it is rather unlikely he will be coherent enough to communicate much for the last few months. I just want to know what I am dealing with so we can make sure this is as good (I don't know what else to use here) for my dad as humanly possible and he suffers as little as possible. Thank you all... I appreciate anything you can tell me to help. Posted on 03/28/08, 12:03 am |
| 10 Replies | Add Your Reply |
| View More Posts |
I can tell you that by the time that they found my 43 y/o brother had primary pancreatic cancer, it was stage 5 and had passed to his liver.
I am no expert, but it seems at stage 2,he may be ok to wait.My thing is that I don't think they actually know how fast this grows.And it is different in each case. I would feel the same way. time is very important at this point.Not to scare you,I just know that if they would have found it sooner, my bro may still be alive to. I am sorry you have to go thru this.It is alooot to take on. 
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts |
Oh, I can feel what you are going through. My mother's was caught too late. She was gone in 5 months. The doctors were very aggressive with her tests and treatments. She had a stent put in the bile duct also. This thing spreads so fast. It spread to her lungs so chemo didn't help her and it was too late for the whipple procedure. At stage 2, my only guess is that with chemo they are trying to make sure the cancer is under control before doing the surgery. I hope the best for your dad. As far as keeping him as pain free as possible, please listen to the doctors if or when they suggest hospice. My mother refused to go to hospice and when she couldn't communicate we had to agree to hospice to keep her pain free. She never made it to receive the hospice care. I am hopeful for you since they caught your dad's earlier that it will make a difference. My prayers are with you and your family.
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts |
Hi, my twin had to have a stent last September, then waited one month to have the Whipple at the University of Chicago. She is stage 2 and is taking chemo, Gemzar for 6 months. Is your Dad going to a University setting or somewhere that they do Whipples frequently? With the lymph node involvement ...yes I would be very concerned. Aggressive surgery and chemo is the only thing that they have told my sister will help. She is a stage 2 with no lymph node mets and they gave her a 15% survival rate. I know it sounds kinda bleak but people can survive this disease if found early! Ask your Dad if you can go with him to the next appointment and talk to the surgeon about pushing up the date. Of course he would need to be OFF chemo for a while before they do the surgery. Best of luck to you and your Dad. Email me whenever you want to talk!
Pat
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts |
Thank you all for your support and advice. It feels so good to be able to talk to someone else who either was or is in the same situation. I am finding that, with this disease, information is half the battle.
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts |
Thank you for sharing. I have stage 4B pancreatic cancer of a rate type that has spread to my liver and lymph nodes-so a whipple would do me no good. I am also a registered nurse. PET scans are usually pretty definitive.
You can always get a second opinion. The physician may have a reason to wait to May--did you ask him-his reasoning? Generally sooner is better-but your physician may have very good reasons for waiting. I know what you are going through is not easy for you or your dad and family. -Art
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts |
my sisters wait was a couple months too, they had to calm things down some before going in there, she got pancretics too, she has a olocoscomy too (spelling) she has crones deases.
when they did attempt the whipple they couldnt do it, her tumor is around that main artery. she is doing chemo and had some radiation. she is tired but she is a trooper. i remember wanting that surgery done yesterday so to speak, get her well and all. we are just taking a step at a time.. and doing the best we all can. good luck to u and ur family. HUGS
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts |
Thank you all for the support and replies. I have found out that my father's doctor wants to try and shrink the tumor that is wrapped around his artery (something that I was never told was going on so I was missing some important information). He has been doing lots of chemo and has lost a tremendous amount of weight due to not being able to eat much and being so ill. He is still refusing to get any other opinions so we are just waiting for the surgery and keeping our fingers crossed that the disease hasn't spread any further than the original lymph node. So please say some prayers for my dad - no one deserves to die and suffer like this.
Thanks...
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts |
I will pray for you and your father. I hope the treatments have helped. You keep us all posted and I'm here if you want to talk. Debbie
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts |
Hi All,
Just wanted to give you an update. Dad finished chemo in April and had his new PETScan last week. The tumor hasn't changed and is still wrapped around an artery as well as the bad lymph node. He had to have his stent (put in during February) replaced again due to blockage with sludge and a large amount of jaundice. The doctors have boycotted the Whipple surgery for now and are mentioning radiation as well as more chemo in hopes that they can do the Whipple at a later date. My dad has lost over 50 lbs and looks so pale. It is as if he aged 20 years in the last month. We are obviously disappointed because we have been waiting for the surgery for months and were hopeful for a remission of some type but my husband & I am not surprised by the outcome of the PETScan. I think this is all finally sinking in for my family. Please keep him in your prayers and thanks so much for all the support and information.
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts |
Hi,
I feel like I am responding to a lot of posts right now, but my sister just died Monday of pancreatic cancer. Yes, she went through what you described, but only after months of an inoperable situation. There is no cure for this disease. I think your doctor is not telling you everything. Once the cancer is in the lymph, it starts spreading and if it's affecting the bile ducts and liver, I think it's already progressed. According to my information, the stint keeps the bile duct open so it doesn't get clots. I also heard that it is a paliative measure and not a cure for the disease. The doctor may be prolonging a life by doing these measures, but in my sister's case, she started with a splenic vein blockage, gastric verices , gallbladder issues, because the blood was backing up, diarrhea, weight loss, diabetes when the pancreas stopped functioning. I think waiting to do a surgery is a copout. If you are diagnosed with "cancer" of the pancreas, a cat scan, pet scan, or MRI can tell you so much, and in my sister's case, they did a surgery to see if the liver was affected, but the cancer had wrapped itself around major veins and arteries and was inoperable, and this was right after she was diagnosed. I would seek another opinion, or pin your doctor down to see why he is doing these procedures and what the end result will be if he does not do a surgery. I am hoping that you can find the answers you are seeking. Much love, Kim from Plano
|
|
|
|
||
October 2007 I had my Gallbladder removed with 13 stones, one of which was blocking the pancreal bile duct and had …
hey a woman who has survived pancreatic cancer will be on in a few minutes...should be very interesting:)
My dad was diabetic. Died on Monday with pancreatic cancer. Lots of people seem to be diabetic who get pancreatic …
