Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

Kyaeger,
Please post your questions about total pancreatectomy to this related discussion:
- Total Pancreatectomy https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/total-pancreatectomy/

There are several members who have had this surgery at Mayo Clinic talking about it there.

Hi Mary, how are your feet doing? Did you find cream with urea in it?

I did find a cream with 40 percent urea on Amazon, used it and stopped taking xenoda and after 10 days, my feet feels better, just tingling a little. I see my oncologist on Friday and will see what she says!

Hi Colleen and Group Members,

I'm Catherine, I would say that it's nice to be here but that would be disingenuous.

I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on Aug 26th. Since the tumor is located at the tail of my pancreas, it is operable. I will have a ductal splenectomy and pancreatectomy on 9/22.

I am hopeful for a good outcome.

Hello again. My husband is nearing his 8th chemo treatment with Folfirinox and we are now told he could go longer. This was the first time it was mentioned. I am wondering how many folks go longer than 8 and what determines how long? The chemo is challenging. Its the cycle of knowing when the bad days are coming and just trying to get through them. As a caretaker I find massage helps. Good wishes to all out there dealing with this. Anne

Anne, if I recall correctly, your husband is getting both chemo and then radiation to reduce the tumor so that it can hopefully be surgically removed. Is this still the case? Or has it been determined that surgery isn't possible?

Welcome, Catherine. I know we're not the club you were hoping to join, but we're glad you found us. This is all very new for you and you must have many questions.

Such a relief that your tumor is operable. @luckyone4321 @chemobile @kjrita @drileymn @buckslayer and others can share their experiences with pancreatectomy.

Catherine, what questions do you have as prepare for surgery? Will you have a family member(s) with you?

I think its still too soon to tell. Our goal is to get to surgery but we have to finiish chemo, then on to radiation and we'll see. Anne

Hi Colleen & Members, thanks so much for reaching out.

Tomorrow will be three weeks since my diagnosis. I have been on autopilot just trying to go step by step. I haven't allowed myself to take time to absorb everything and I'm not at all prepared emotionally or physically for my surgery next Wednesday, 9/22.

My husband, Tom, will be with me. I don't have children. I have three sisters who are my support system. I would do anything to spare my husband this pain. He is such a good man but he can only understand so much of what cancer is about and what it does to you psychologically. He can only go with me so far on this journey. I will need to go the rest of the way alone.

I have many questions: how much pain can I expect after surgery, how long will it take to be up and about, when does chemo start, what foods will I be able to eat? The questions go on and on.

One of the most difficult aspects of this is that I've never been comfortable asking for help. Unfortunately, this is just too big for me to handle on my own. 😪

I would appreciate hearing about everyone's experiences if you're comfortable sharing.

Thanks so much.

Sincerely,
Catherine

Catherine, we will be praying for you through the surgery and your treatments.

My wife was diagnosed at stage 3 in July 2019. She started with 9 cycles of Folfirinox, followed by SBRT (targeted raditation), modified Appleby procedure (everyone knows Whipple, no one knows Appleby except a few top specialists) and then recuperation for almost a year. Unfortuantely her recuperation was during covid and the isolation was heaped on top of the issues with recuperation. A new tumor was discovered in the ovary (skip metastasis) in February 21 and it was removed in March followed by Gemcitibine?Abraxane/Cisplaten. She just compelted her 12 scheduled treatment but now faces additional treatments until her numbers or scan put her in the clear.

I wish I could tell you that there won't be tremendous hurdles, but you have more support than we do. We have no children either and no nearby family and due to covid, even well intentioned friends haven't been able to do much. Everyone's journey is going to be different. My wife's has been extremely rough. Everything from ongoing eating/nutrition to chemo side effects to more side effects from the meds treating the side effects. Others we communicate with have a much easier time. Hopefully you will be on the easier path.

You are correct that this will be extremely difficult for your husband. Our marriage was always close to 50/50 as far as duties and responsibilities. Since her treatments began, it has been more like 95/5 and it is exhausting. But, I do it for her. I constantly remind myself not to complain because I am the healthy, strong partner and nothing that I have experienced is as difficult as what she has been facing.

Good luck and bless you and your family.