Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Dec 3, 2019

Welcome to the Pancreatic Cancer group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
This is a welcoming, safe place where you can meet people living with pancreatic cancer or caring for someone with pancreatic cancer. Let’s learn from each other and share stories about living well with cancer, coping with the challenges and offering tips.

I’m Colleen, and I’m the moderator of this group, and Community Director of Connect. Chances are you’ll to be greeted by fellow members and volunteer patient Mentors, when you post to this group. Learn more about Moderators and Volunteer Mentors on Connect.

We look forward to welcoming you and introducing you to other members. Feel free to browse the topics or start a new one.

Pull up a chair. Let's start with introductions.

When were you diagnosed with pancreatic cancer? What treatments have you had? How are you doing?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pancreatic Cancer Support Group.

mscarano | @mscarano | Sep 30, 2020

Date correction. Monday 10/26 & Tuesday 10/27.

mscarano | @mscarano | Sep 30, 2020

Yes, will provide update once known.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 1, 2020

In reply to @mscarano "Have diagnostic tests scheduled in Rochester on Oct 27 and Dr. Truty appt on Oct 28..." + (show)

@mscarano, all the best with your trip to Mayo Rochester and to flying during these times. @maryvallis512, also recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, was just at Mayo and may have some thoughts and tips to share.

In the meantime, here are a few discussions that you may appreciate as you prepare for the trip later this month:
- Tips: Traveling to Mayo to get medical care safely during COVID-19 https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/your-tips-traveling-and-getting-medical-care-safely-during-covid-19/
- Your Tips on How to Get Off to the Best Start with a New Specialist https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/your-tips-on-how-to-get-off-to-the-best-start-with-a-new-specialist/
- Packing for our trip to Mayo Clinic. What to bring? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/packing/
- Tips for your first Mayo Clinic visit and tests/appt schedules https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tips-for-first-dr-visit-and-testsappt-schedules/

You can see more in the Visiting Mayo Clinic group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/traveling-to-mayo-clinic/

mscarano | @mscarano | Oct 1, 2020

Thanks!

marvinjsturing | @marvinjsturing | Oct 4, 2020

Heading for Rochester on Thursday for a PET/MRI. Six years ago after my Whipple, I had a lot of scanxiety going back for the first scan. Things got better as each successive scan showed no cancer. Now, with the recurrence of my pancreatic cancer, I again have a lot of scanxiety. I just want to know what's happening. If the tumors are not growing, there will be no treatment - just monitoring with future scans. If the tumors are growing, I will need chemo - Irinotecan & 5-FU - along with dialysis.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 4, 2020

In reply to @marvinjsturing "Heading for Rochester on Thursday for a PET/MRI. Six years ago after my Whipple, I had..." + (show)

@marvinjsturing, I can imagine the scanxiety has returned. I will be thinking of you all the way and will be interested in the outcome, hoping for the best.

Have you got some pleasant things planned between now and Thursday to help distract you? Will you be driving or flying to Rochester?

marvinjsturing | @marvinjsturing | Oct 4, 2020

In reply to @colleenyoung "@marvinjsturing, I can imagine the scanxiety has returned. I will be thinking of you all the..." + (show)

@colleenyoung We are driving - 3 1/2 hours - first appointment at noon on Thursday. Nothing planned before the scan, but after the scan we are meeting with 2 of my sisters and their husbands in La Crosse, WI for the weekend.

kjrita | @kjrita | Oct 4, 2020

In reply to @marvinjsturing "@colleenyoung We are driving - 3 1/2 hours - first appointment at noon on Thursday. Nothing..." + (show)

The older I get the more I realize that life is all about relationships. It is so great that you are connecting with family. I pray that you are lifted up and at peace during this time of uncertainty.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 5, 2020

In reply to @marvinjsturing "@colleenyoung We are driving - 3 1/2 hours - first appointment at noon on Thursday. Nothing..." + (show)

@marvinjsturing Saying a prayer for you, Marvin, as you travel and for your upcoming scan.

marvinjsturing | @marvinjsturing | Oct 17, 2020

My PET scan last week showed that the tumors are not growing. I do not need chemo at this time. Treatment plan is to have quarterly scans to monitor the tumors. Had a great weekend with my sisters - lots of visiting, food, swimming, ride on a paddle boat and a visit to an apple orchard.

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