Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

My friend Elise Tedeschi who I met through my volunteer work with the Seena Magowitz Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Foundation had NanoKnife procedure performed just short of 13 years ago. Below is a link to her story:
https://seenamagowitzfoundation.org/warrior/elise-roth-tedeschi-pancreatic-cancer-patient-story/

Hello. My name is Brad and I am a 55 year old band and CTE teacher. I was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma on May 27. I should say I read my test results. I am waiting to meet with an oncologist on June 5.

I started with pancreatitis in mid March and had several attacks during that time. I don’t drink or smoke so the doctors here at Mayo looked deeper when they did the endoscope procedure that uses the needle. They found a mass along with a cyst at the neck of my pancreas. According to Dr. Mills, this is something they would not have found for a long while as it didn’t shop up on CT cleans.
I have used Dr. Google in absence of having had my first consultation and the long term prospects are not as good as I wish they were.

Currently I have NO symptoms. No pain, can eat anything I want, am holding my weight(after losing 21 pounds this spring).

I came to this forum to hopefully get some inspiration that some can be cured if this is caught early. I go in for a chest CT tomorrow morning so they can verify that the cancer started in my pancreas. My hope is they caught it super early, but I have been hoping for many things this spring and very few have worked out with this issue.

Welcome to the PanCan club - the club nobody really wants to belong. A lot of strides have been made in extensions of life with pancreatic cancer. Any cure is dependent on the type of cancer you have, and your mutations. Please find out as much information as you can, but being from Mayo your dr will be forthright about your treatment plan. I’ve had distal pancreatic cancer since 2022, when I was 65 years old. 1 lymph node had cancer. Not all times are easy, but if you are a fighter and have a good attitude (and faith) you’ll hopefully be able to work as much as possible and carry on. My chemo treatments work and then stop working and in my case it metastasized to my liver which we treated with MRIdean radiation. Completely understandable that you want to know as much as possible about your diagnosis, and you’ve come to right place, but it’s a little premature to give too much feedback since much is dependent on the type of cancer and mutations you have. Everyone here has your back, so please be sure to post when you get the specifics, but really you are in good hands with Mayo!

That is an inspiring story. I am still finding out how much I don’t know. I will know much more after Thursday. Thank you for sharing this!

There is so much I do not know. Cancer has not been in my family history at all. I have no risk factors as I dont drink or smoke and had my gall bladder removed. It was hard enough when they thought I had chronic pancreatitis compared to acute. Now, having to tell my mother this when she has lost 2 husbands to it, is a lot to take in. We just witnessed my youngest son’s wedding on Friday and there was so much joy. Telling them in a few days will be hard. I haven’t even thought much about fighting it yet. I am not mad or sad. I cry when I think about the pain this will cause for my wife. But, I feel peace. I will post more once I learn what I am up against on June 5.

@bradthompson88
I second Marie’s thoughtful words. Dr Google gives us a 13% chance to make it to 5 years but guess what? THAT is a lot of people!
I was Dx 11/2021 stage 4. Much like you, never smoked, healthy, and very few symptoms. It was luck that it was caught. No-it was an angel!! We have more options now to extend our lives and possibly be termed “cured”.
It is a journey. I am currently on chemo which seems to be once again stabilizing things. My best advice to you is that once you have all the data of your specific situation-scans, possible mutations, co-morbitities; get a second opinion. Become acquainted with other doctors in this field at centers of excellence. Some doctors are more connected with recent changes in therapies than others. Most of all, lean on your faith that God, our healer, will guide you with wisdom and sustain your family with strength and optimism. You can be optimistic. I still work and serve others in whatever means I can. These next few weeks will be difficult. Face it and fight!

Thanks for this! I share your mind set on fighting. I have always been an ask for forgiveness rather than permission in my job.
The not knowing has been hard since I first learned about the test. At first, they couldn’t even get me in until August. Now it is up to June 5. My mayo GI doc listened to me about using the blessing about catching this years earlier than they normally would have, so have moved up a few times as cancellations have happened.

Brad — Until you meet with your oncologist, try not to read too much into what lies ahead, especially the negative aspects.

I’m a 70-year-old male. One month after an outstanding annual physical in 12/2023, we were surprised by a bile duct cancer diagnosis in 1/2024. My treatments started in 2/2024. After 8 months of chemo and radiation treatments at the Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson and 4.5 hours of surgery at Mayo, Rochester in 10/2024, the pathologist's report was “no residual carcinoma.” My quarterly surveillance scans remain clear.

Right now, it’s impossible to see precisely what lies ahead for you. Based on what you’ve shared, you’re in great hands, and you will begin to discover how well your particular diagnosis aligns with a variety of highly effective treatments. There are more reasons than we currently know for you to be optimistic.

Dan

You sound like a very selfless person, Brad. I personally feel that’s an important trait to have as opposed to self-pity. However, at the same time, it’s going to be important to look after yourself too, what you eat now is going to be more important than ever. Exercise like walking or swimming is good for our health and emotions. Stay away from fast food, processed, and greasy food. These will help in your digestion. For me, I made a bucket list of fun things to do with my family and the memories you create of enjoying these good times are what you will leave with your family forever, just in case, but either way you are creating good memories!

Hi Brad,
I hope they have caught it early .. I don’t think they can really tell anything for sure until they do a biopsy . I wish you the best for your upcoming appointment.