Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

Hi 65f here with unresetable tumor on pancreas. As of yesterday I went on a device called optune pax. It’s pretty new was used for brain cancer an breast cancer and good results from that. Now there doing it for pancreatic cancer. What do I have to lose. It kills cancer cells prevents them from dividing. Along with some maintance chemo pills. I decided to add some Essiac tea to my treatment. Has anyone tried this. Or heard of it? You wear it 12 hours a day for 3 months het a scan an go from there.

@brewster066 Hi and welcome to Mayo Connect. Changing your care team can make a big impact. You sound very optimistic. That's great. How is your care at the James Cancer Center different than your previous care?

hi. Thanks for the question. The James at Ohio State has greater resources and expertise. They came up with a definitive plan from the outset. They are more aggressive. That is what I am looking for. I would expect patients would receive the same at the Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic or Sloan Kettering. I feel when you have an aggressive disease you need to work with teams of this type.

@tomrennie
Hi, the surgery went well. However, the doctor said it is a possibility the tumors may reappear. My wife has expressed she does not want to go through this surgery again.
Presently, I’m here in the recovery room with her.
Her biggest challenge are the ebbs and flow of the pain.
I am extremely grateful to be able to vent and share with amazing supportive people-:)

@brewster066 They all sound like great reasons to me. Good for you. What is your next step?

@jayace2430 It is understandable that she doesn't want to do the surgery again. How is she doing today?

Radiation therapy, then fingers crossed, the Whipple procedure. I am determined to beat this thing. I have 3 grandchildren under 3 and I want to see them all graduate from college.

@tomrennie
She is beginning to slowly except reality. Her spirit is improving. Presently, she is waiting to go upstairs out of the recovery room. Of course, my ongoing supportive role is to instill the importance of being in real time present moment experience of gratitude etc.
You would agree it has an amazing power within the spirit. Thank you for your support.-:)

@jayace2430 I totally agree. When times are difficult, I try to make good seconds. Good seconds become good minutes. Good minutes become good hours. Good hours become good days. Sometimes for me, living day to day is too hard to do. It is too long of a time period. Gratitude is not only good for the spirit, it is good for the soul. It also let's her care team know that you appreciate them. You are welcome.

@brewster066I had Whipple surgery done at the OSU James in October 2023 to remove a tumor in my duodenum that was discovered during a routine endoscopy. My surgeon was Dr. Mary Dillhoff. She has a ton of experience in performing Whipple surgery and I can’t say enough good things about her and her staff. The tumor was benign, so I was able to avoid chemo and radiation, but I still go every six months for bloodwork and once a year for an MRI. You are in very competent and caring hands at the OSU James.
Good decision on your part.