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Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others
Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (2368)Comment receiving replies
June 22 I went to my primary care dr for a sore back that was not getting better. Suspecting kidney stones she sent me for a ct scan. Here I am 71 yrs old, health perfect otherwise, a month later diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. Received my 1st 3 day chemo treatment- July 15 th in hospital, home with a “tube” for 46 hours. Toughest part is side effects of meds- such a balancing act. If i tell you that I still do not believe this is happening to me I know many of you will understand. Before treatment no other symptoms. Now either gi issues- both ways or nausea.
I will fight this with the support of my family and friends. Not ready to tell lots of people yet. My blessing is my supportive husband, daughter and son in law and my son and his fiance and the best oncologist I could hope for. Thinking of getting a second opinion. John Hopkins would be the easiest center for me to arrange a visit.
Any thoughts? I plan to win this fight!
Replies to "June 22 I went to my primary care dr for a sore back that was not..."
@jopier Ask your doc about "cold therapy" for chemo. It's has been successful for many people. It sounds like you've got the beginnings of peripheral neuropathy and I'd take ever last precaution I could to prevent it. If it's starting ths quick, it's won't be long until you'll have plenty of dead nerves in your legs and feet. Nobody ever told me about cold therapy. Ask around.
@jopier I was a very healthy 69-year-old male who was diagnosed unexpectedly in January 2024 with bile duct cancer and was able to receive my chemo (10 biweekly sessions) and radiation treatments (28 daily treatments M-F) at a Comprehensive Cancer Center (University of Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson) then a curative bile duct resection by Dr Mark Truty and Mayo Rochester in October 2024. You can significantly increase your odds by getting treated at a Comprehensive Cancer Center that treats a high volume. Mark Truty at Mayo Rochester is among the best possible hepatobiliary pancreatic (HPB) surgeons.
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@jopier Hi and welcome to Mayo Connect. I understand the gut punch of the diagnosis. When I got mine, I was just kind of numb to it all. In shock and disbelief. Like you, mine was/still is inoperable. It has spread to my liver. What makes yours inoperable? For me, a few rounds of chemo gut punched me harder to let me know that I was in for a fight for my life. What chemo/chemos are you taking? You are blessed to have a good support system. You are already feeling the mental and emotional anguish that accompany the physical trauma that go with a pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment. I think a second opinion can't hurt even if it only confirms your treatment plan. That alone can give you some peace of mind. Where are you currently being treated?