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@sheridanb

My husband, age 69 had some back pain about 1.5 years ago. Mentioned it to the doctor. Five or six months later it got a lot worse, so back to the doctor. He was an active xcountry skier, hiker, white water kayaker... and just thought he'd injured his back in some way. Spent all last summer trying to get a diagnosis. And after some chemo and imunotherapy for lung cancer, found that he had been misdiagnosed (by doctor here and also a second opinion from Cleveland Clinic). So, started over with tests and diagnosing. Pancreatic cancer, stage 4, with mets to bones (back), lungs, lymph nodes. Radiation on some of back lesions last fall and after 3 or 4 months his back pain has lessened... from radiation or chemo? CA19-9 numbers were over 39000 last November. Chemo every two weeks since then with Folfirinox. Just had treatment #10. Total exhaustion most of the time, lack of appetite, nausea. The past two weeks we scheduled extra hydration and anti nausea through infusion every few days and that did seem to help. Doctor is saying total 12 treatments of folfirinox, then we'll see. His CA19-9 numbers fell steadily until the one yesterday when it went from 1090 back to 1176. Still very high, but compared to 39000+, it has dropped a long ways. CT scans have been unremarkable, but oncologist says improvement. So that is where we are. Caught us completely off guard as my husband was one of the healthiest people I knew.... exercising daily, etc. Now having trouble getting off the couch. Any suggestions, insights are welcome. Thank you.

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Replies to "My husband, age 69 had some back pain about 1.5 years ago. Mentioned it to the..."

Hello @sheridanb and welcome to Mayo Connect. This is a great forum to find support and encouragement for your husband's journey with pancreatic cancer and the treatments involved. It is good to hear that his CA19-9 numbers have dropped significantly.

As you read the posts here, you will probably find that a lot of the members of this group have experienced many of the problems that your husband is experiencing during treatment. When a person has been healthy and active it is certainly difficult to experience this kind of weakness and fatigue. That is understandable.

I would encourage you to read the posts of some of the members here who have been long time survivors of pancreatic cancer such as @markymarkfl and others. As you direct your questions and comments to them, begin your post using their usernames as I did when I began this post to you (remembering to put the @ sign first).

You might also be interested in another discussion group on Mayo Connect, here is the link:
--Cancer Managing Symptoms
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/cancer-managing-symptoms/
Included in that group is a discussion which might also be helpful:
--Emotions and Anxiety with Cancer
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/emotions-anxiety/

I look forward to hearing from you, Will you continue to post about how you and your husband are doing?

@sheridanb, I can imagine that your husband's diagnosis came as a shock to both of you. The side effects of chemo are so rough. Only 2 more treatments to go. How are YOU doing?