Concerned about Abraxane + Gemzar at age 82: Hospice vs treatment?

@witchypooy, I noticed that you wished to post a URL to an article with your post. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe.

Allow me to post it for you:
- Attenuated regimen of biweekly gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel in patients aged 65 years or older with advanced pancreatic cancer https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7692343/

I had gemzar and it was milder than folfirinox, although I had it less often and it was combined with capecitabine pills. At this point quality of your time may be more important, all the best to you.

I am a month from 77 and was diagnosed last September with stage 2B pancreatic cancer. Began gemzar and abraxane in early November, my infusion scheduled complicated by C. diff brought on by too many IV antibiotics given to fight an infection that a GI procedure caused. Finished the 6 infusions, 7 weeks off to prepare for surgery which was a Robotic Whipple. It removed the Pylorus, the Duodenum, gall bladder and of course the cancer which was not on an artery, just on the head of the Pancreas. 6 weeks later the same infusion regimen was accomplished with the final chemo today. My CA-Antigen has gone from about 2,000 to this mornings reading of 28. I rang the bell gladly with hope of moving forward. CT will give more info on August 21st. Any input appreciated, or any questions. I ended up with 5 occurences of C. diff, and then had a fecal implant, which to this point has been successful.

@roboticwhip, c-difficile can be so hard to deal with and get rid off. I can't imagine dealing with 5 occurences. I'm glad to the that the fecal implant has been sucessful (to this point).

Congrats on finishing chemo. It's been almost two weeks since you rang the bell. How are you feeling? When will you review the results of the follow-up CT scan with your oncologist?

My husband is in his late 70s and has Stage 4 pancreatic cancer with mets to the liver. He started Gemzar and Abraxane in February 2026. In 5 months, his tumors shrunk by 50 percent. We are truly happy that he chose these chemo drugs. The Mayo doctor recommended these chemo drugs because they have fewer side effects and they are just as effective as Folfirinox. The side effect he has had is fatigue for several days after chemo. He had pain and nausea before chemo and none with chemo. He says he feels better on the chemo drugs than before he was diagnosed with cancer. My husband started losing his hair after the second chemo treatment, but he doesn't mind the loss. He, too, was told by other doctors to get his affairs in order and that he had 6 months or less to live. He, me and his children are extremely happy that he agreed to take the chemo treatments. It is giving us more time to do things, go places, and be together as a family. With minimal side effects, he is still able to get around and live life. If these chemo drugs stop working, the next option is the new oral pill, daraxonrasib.

I am curious. How many out there with pan cancer have had a stint inserted called an ERCP Endoscopicallly into their bile duct to stop blockage of bile duct from liver to stomach that is blocked by their pancreatic tumor? It stops pain and sets your indegestion back on the normal track. My husband presented with jaundace, was diagnosed with his cancer and then got the stint all within his first 2 days. I fully believe the stint is the reason he has had NO symptoms or side effects for 22 mos and no sickness from his chemo. If you have not had an ERCP you might ask your doctor why/why not, and can it help with discomfort ,nausia, diarrhia, and pain. It's an easy overnight proceedure almost as simple as getting your port put in.
Just curious.
Marlene

@colleenyoung Tomorrow, 24th, I will meet with my Oncologist to go over the CT and blood test, hopefully will hear, see you in 3 months