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Diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer: How to deal with anxiety of surgery?

Posted by ayeo @ayeo, Jan 20 8:35pm

Diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer Adenocarcinoma

My oncologist advised me to go for the Whipple operation as my cancer did not spread to other areas/organs.
After discussing with my family, I decided to go for this surgery. However, I am scared, anxious and worried after hearing the risks and complications of this operation.

Can anyone share your experience and advice on how to deal with all these overwhelming feelings?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pancreatic Cancer Support Group.

stageivsurvivor | @stageivsurvivor | Mar 17 12:28pm
In reply to @mnewland99 "I wonder why every dr doesn’t recommend the mittens and booties during infusion of platins and..." + (show)
@mnewland99

I wonder why every dr doesn’t recommend the mittens and booties during infusion of platins and abraxane, if it can prevent or attempt to prevent or lessen neuropathy. We need to get the word out!

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It is less likely to be recommended at smaller hospitals and regional medical centers as they are not high-volume centers and don’t have GI oncologists whose sub-specialty is pancreatic cancer. Pancreas specialists are the ones that go to specialized meetings/conferences and more likely to be familiar. Many of the NCI designated centers of excellence and Comprehensive Cancer Centers with high-volume treatment programs are where it is likely to be mentioned. Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in NYC has been conducting a large, multi-arm clinical study. I don’t believe the results are available yet.

The pancreatic cancer advocacy organization LetsWinPC.org did a feature article on the technique after I brought it to their attention and I frequently mention it at PanCAN.org, Seena Magowitz Foundation and Craig’s Cause Zoom meetings. I will mention it to a member of the ASCO Pancreas Cancer/GI Cancers task force to see what can be done in elevating awareness and see that it becomes standard of practice.

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lisn | @lisn | Mar 18 7:38am

My husband went through Folfirinox at MSK. I learned so much through this forum, and I mentioned the use of icing during the Oxaliplatin infusion, but his oncologist refused. She did that it would be too painful. He completed his 12 rounds and suffers with neuropathy in his feet. Luckily, his neuropathy is not the painful kind, but I've often wondered what if icing would have prevented or lessened it

@stageivsurvivor - your input is always so valuable. Thank you for all you do.

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marienewland | @mnewland99 | Mar 18 10:45am
In reply to @stageivsurvivor "It is less likely to be recommended at smaller hospitals and regional medical centers as they..." + (show)
@stageivsurvivor

It is less likely to be recommended at smaller hospitals and regional medical centers as they are not high-volume centers and don’t have GI oncologists whose sub-specialty is pancreatic cancer. Pancreas specialists are the ones that go to specialized meetings/conferences and more likely to be familiar. Many of the NCI designated centers of excellence and Comprehensive Cancer Centers with high-volume treatment programs are where it is likely to be mentioned. Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in NYC has been conducting a large, multi-arm clinical study. I don’t believe the results are available yet.

The pancreatic cancer advocacy organization LetsWinPC.org did a feature article on the technique after I brought it to their attention and I frequently mention it at PanCAN.org, Seena Magowitz Foundation and Craig’s Cause Zoom meetings. I will mention it to a member of the ASCO Pancreas Cancer/GI Cancers task force to see what can be done in elevating awareness and see that it becomes standard of practice.

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Thank you for that! Somehow the manufacturer should get involved. Coupons? I dint know. Advertisement on pancan or be some kind of sponsor during the Walks for PanCan.

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