Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

I am the patients husband. Carmelita was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic CA 6 months ago. Her initial Chemo put her in the hospital for several days, so they lowered doses and her first follow up CT showed more mets in her liver and no change in the Pancreatic tumor.

Her next CT showed no new tumors but "essentially no changes in the existing tumors" according to her oncologist.

Carmelita has interpreted this as good news. I am disappointed because of the amount of suffering chemo has caused her. Is this result good news or just treading water in a sea of misery?

@4carm
We all want this to ultimately be “cured” yet I have come to realize Cancer , most especially Pancreatic is now a chronic disease . As partners, caregivers I think perhaps we are the realistic part of the equation and the “victim” is the positive . Together we balance to keep going in the necessary direction . We support each other .

Hi! I’m Carl, diagnosed 11/11/24. Finished folfirinox, rt and Whipple-surgery 6/25. Now in surveillance. Feeling pretty well, getting scanned every 3 months now, a source of recurrent anxiety. Considering all, I feel fortunate but cancer thoughts take over a lot of one’s life.

@carlos322

Welcome to the Connect support group!

Congrats 🎉

@azsunshine7 thank you ! I hope you are doing well.

@jadees Thank you for this insight into the role of the caregiver compared to that of patient. This helps me think differently about other emotional conflicts that have risen during this strange journey we are on.

Hi, My Husband was diagnosed with PDAC in June 2025. Fortunately operable T1N0M0. He completed 9 rounds of Neoadjuvant Flofirinox and had a Whipple completed 2 weeks ago. He is home but he is struggling with appetite and weight loss, has lost 25 lbs so far. Doesn’t want to eat, says everything tastes poorly. He is on Creon and his dose recently was increased. Hoping to find ideas of how to help manage. Thank you.

@carlos322

Thank you Carlos! I’m doing my best 💜

@yellie welcome to Mayo connect!

So happy you joined us 💜

I had the whipple and can relate to some tough symptoms like nausea, and weight loss. I have or had stomach aches whether I eat or not, and cramps.

If you can, help him find ways to eat what he feels comfortable with. If he’s struggling to get enough protein, maybe suggest trying a protein drink to boost his nutrition. Or try a homemade smoothie. You can create simple recipes that provide extra protein and or calories to help support his health and wellness.

It’s important that his weight stabilizes.
He should probably be seeing nutritionist if he’s not already.

He might not be up for eating regular-sized meals, so having several small meals throughout the day could be a good idea.

Things should improve with time.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/significant-changes-in-food-taste/
Take care 😊

@azsunshine7 all great ideas. Thank you.