New Diagnosis - looking for some positive feedback

Cathy9887 · New User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 5

Greetings friends! My mom was just diagnosed with PC on Monday (7/21/0 Cool

. While we are stunned by the news, we're also a little relieved - as it explains a lot of the symptoms no one has been able to figure out for quite some time. Mom's tumor is 25mm, and appears to be completely contained within the pancreas (Stage 1). She is scheduled for Whipple surgery on August 1st, and then chemo/radiation to follow. While I don't have the specific details on her chemo/radiation, I assume the effects are generally the same.

Basically, I'm searching for some feedback (both good & bad, I suppose) regarding what's ahead of us. I read Freeio's pages & have been able to find some hope. Are there other survivors lurking around here? Do you think her chances of long-term survival are better because she's only a Stage 1? Or does that even matter?

Whatever information you can arm us with is greatly appreciated! There's SO MUCH on the internet, it's hard to filter what's productive & what's simply regergitated netagivity.

Thank you, and prayers to you all!!

Cathy (and family)

brainman · Last edited by brainman on Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:11 pm; edited 1 time in total

Hi Cathy. I am so sorry about your mother's Pancreatic Cancer. I am glad that you found Marty's (Freeio) posts. He was a wonderful and inspiring man.

You mother does have better than average odds of surviving at least a few years because of its early stage. The odd will go up further if the tumor can be totally removed.

However, Pancreatic Cancers are notoriously bad. First, it have such a devastating impact on quality of life. Second, other than surgery, we have so few tools to use against is. At this point, I am not sure what her oncologist will advise as a course of action. Honestly, I have never dealt with a Stage I Pancreatic Cancer. I would think surgery would be the first option but surgery could be ruled out by the tumor's location. Since PC is soooo aggressive, you should try to get a very aggressive treatment protocol for your mother. Staging only reflects how big and wide spread the cancer is, not on how aggressive it is.

You and your mother are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Cathy9887 · New User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 5

Thanks, Jim! I'll have to find out from Mom what her treatment schedule is supposed to be. I do know that her doctor seems to be taking a very aggressive approach to it all. Afterall, she was just diagnosed Monday, and is already scheduled for her Whipple surgery on August 1st. Smile

Hopefully this evening (or over the next few days), I'll be able to sit down with her & go over what her Dr's plans are for chemo/radiation. I'm certainly not looking forward to any of this, but on the same note, I'm desperately ready to get going & get her to feeling better.

I'll be in & out over the next few days and hope to have some better information regarding her treatment when I post again.

Thanks again!!

Cathy

brainman

Cathy, I should have slept longer last night Laughing

. I just read my previous reply. I am a notoriously bad speller but that was bad even for me Laughing

. I am glad you were able to get some help from my reply even with the spelling mistakes Wink

. I think I have correct all of them but I cannot be 100% sure about that Laughing

.

I am glad that your mother's doctor has already scheduled a Whipple. The sooner that tumor is out the better her odd will be.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

JLC · Regular Joined: 18 May 2008 Posts: 23

Cathy,

Everything that I have read says that less than 4% survive after diagnosis. Those that do beat it have a localized tumor smaller than 2cm. What you have described about your mom sounds good. Smile

She is so lucky that they found it this early. Even in this scenario they will probably be very aggressive with treatment. PC is nasty stuff. The chemo drugs that my mom had were pretty hard on her, although she never had radiation. I'll be honest with you, the road ahead will be rough. But you have a lot of things in your favor right now.

Recovery from a Whipple can be pretty rough too. It is a [b]major[/b] surgery. When my mom was scheduled I did some research and was shocked by what all it entailed. Due to complications Mom didn't have the procedure.

Keep us posted. I'll be thinking of you and your mom.

JLC
_________________
Dad ~ diagnosed with EC in 2001 and cancer free since 2003.

Mom ~ Passed away June 2008 from pancreatic cancer.

Cathy9887 · New User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 5

JLC - I'm terribly sorry for the loss of your mother, and also very thankful for your support & thoughts. I'm praying that 4% is an "old statistic". I'd be lying if I said I wasn't terrified of the road ahead of us, but I believe my family is strong, and we'll get thru it. Sure, it'll suck, but I know we can do it. Smile

Thanks again!
C ~

Cathy9887 · New User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 5

Today was mom's scheduled Whipple surgery. Unfortunately, when the surgeon got in there & started poking around, he found a few very small spots on the liver. After he biopsied them & confirmed they were cancerous, he closed her up & changed her from a Stage I to a Stage IV. We are obviously quite devestated at this news, but are still going to fight it. She will begin chemo treatments in about 2 weeks - as soon as she's recovered from today's procedure. We are going to do as much research as possible on clinical trials & will consider every single option we find. We're going to beat this. (Positive attitude helps, right?)

Thanks for any thoughts & prayers... and good luck to any one else in similar shoes!

C ~

brainman

Oh!! Cathy!!! This is truly devastating news Sad

. I cannot even imagine how this change is hurting you. I am so very sorry. Many hugs {{{{Cathy}}}}
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

jessica026 · Regular Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Posts: 39

I am so sorry to hear this news Sad

..stick close to your family at this time...my mom went so fast after diagnosis, so be sure to spend as much time as yuo can with her

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