Pancreatic cancer recurrence: Anyone else?

Posted by sadiegrace @sadiegrace, Apr 29, 2021

Hi, my name is Trish, I had pancreatic cancer 7 years ago. This reoccurrence was a surprise since I had a CT on March 9th, with no sign of anything to a .5mm stricture of small intestine caused by a mass that is malignant. Just had a stent put in to on Monday to open the intestine and I am feeling much better. Will see my oncologist on May 6th, and maybe find out what stage it is. Because I haven’t eaten very well for the past few weeks and have lost almost 20 lbs, it’s left me feeling weak and tired.

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

Hi Teresa, nothing has really changed in my medical condition. I am happy to report that I feel good. Eating everything and anything with no problems. Still only on Armour Thyroid and Creon. All vital signs good and weight is stable. I’m 3 months into hospice and praising God for how well I am doing. My nurse I see once a week just shakes her head. I’m back to all of my activities and although quite a few people I associate with have come down with COVID, so far I have been spared. I’m in the process of selling my home, to take the burden of that off my son and am cleaning out closets and donating quite a bit to charity. It’s so easy to part with “things” when you know you won’t be here this time next year. Each day is more precious, not knowing how long this period will last, but right now I know God is using me to witness His love and the peace that only comes from a relationship with Him. No matter what circumstances you find yourself in, His Grace is sufficient.

REPLY
@sadiegrace

Hi Teresa, nothing has really changed in my medical condition. I am happy to report that I feel good. Eating everything and anything with no problems. Still only on Armour Thyroid and Creon. All vital signs good and weight is stable. I’m 3 months into hospice and praising God for how well I am doing. My nurse I see once a week just shakes her head. I’m back to all of my activities and although quite a few people I associate with have come down with COVID, so far I have been spared. I’m in the process of selling my home, to take the burden of that off my son and am cleaning out closets and donating quite a bit to charity. It’s so easy to part with “things” when you know you won’t be here this time next year. Each day is more precious, not knowing how long this period will last, but right now I know God is using me to witness His love and the peace that only comes from a relationship with Him. No matter what circumstances you find yourself in, His Grace is sufficient.

Jump to this post

So good to hear from you again @sadiegrace and hear that you are still holding your own and content with this part of your journey. You still are a great encouragement to me personally and spiritually. I really appreciate your posts!

REPLY
@hopeful33250

So good to hear from you again @sadiegrace and hear that you are still holding your own and content with this part of your journey. You still are a great encouragement to me personally and spiritually. I really appreciate your posts!

Jump to this post

So sorry to ask about this.....what is the best way to see if you have pancreatic cancer....MRI or CT..... I am on Creon also

REPLY
@rexsan20

So sorry to ask about this.....what is the best way to see if you have pancreatic cancer....MRI or CT..... I am on Creon also

Jump to this post

This probably isn't the right thread for this post but scans only show "something" is there. Due to the pancreas' location, to my knowledge, the scans are verified using endoscopic ultrasound guided biopsies. That's how we found out about my wife's stage 3. No symptoms other than back pain.

REPLY
@rexsan20

So sorry to ask about this.....what is the best way to see if you have pancreatic cancer....MRI or CT..... I am on Creon also

Jump to this post

Hello @rexsan20

You ask a good question about diagnosing pancreatic cancer. Does your doctor do MRIs and blood tests to check on your pancreas? Since you take Creon, you probably have a history of pancreatitis?

I'm going to invite one of our members, @marvinjsturing, who has been dealing with pancreatic cancer to talk about his experience with testing.

Here is the link to the National Pancreas Foundation website,https://pancreasfoundation.org/. You might find some helpful information there.

REPLY
@beachdog

This probably isn't the right thread for this post but scans only show "something" is there. Due to the pancreas' location, to my knowledge, the scans are verified using endoscopic ultrasound guided biopsies. That's how we found out about my wife's stage 3. No symptoms other than back pain.

Jump to this post

Thank you so much!!! Praying for you all!

REPLY
@beachdog

This probably isn't the right thread for this post but scans only show "something" is there. Due to the pancreas' location, to my knowledge, the scans are verified using endoscopic ultrasound guided biopsies. That's how we found out about my wife's stage 3. No symptoms other than back pain.

Jump to this post

I have had MRI and will have another on in December. I’m just worried something is going on.

REPLY
@hopeful33250

Hello @rexsan20

You ask a good question about diagnosing pancreatic cancer. Does your doctor do MRIs and blood tests to check on your pancreas? Since you take Creon, you probably have a history of pancreatitis?

I'm going to invite one of our members, @marvinjsturing, who has been dealing with pancreatic cancer to talk about his experience with testing.

Here is the link to the National Pancreas Foundation website,https://pancreasfoundation.org/. You might find some helpful information there.

Jump to this post

I had symptoms of nausea and some vomiting so my daughter, a physician (internal medicine and a Geriatrician order a cat scan and then found pancreatic cancer. From there after endoscopic ultrasound confirmed. I had 3 months of chemo then surgery distal pancreatectomy misspelled then chemo three more months. I had NED for three years but it is back now and in lungs but slow growth or stable for one and a half years. Since I have none of the genes for it (yet) Im on a drug trial to boost immune system. My father died years ago with stage 4 pancreatic cancer so must be related. The present standard of care at UCLA has added radiation to be more aggressive in stopping a remission. Good Luck to you and pick a hospital that does a lot of surgery. You need to shrink the cancer before surgery I was told. good luck! sorry for type errors I can't find my reading glasses.

REPLY
@rexsan20

I have had MRI and will have another on in December. I’m just worried something is going on.

Jump to this post

Hello @rexsan20

I see that you will be having another MRI in December and I was thinking about you. Do you know the results of any blood tests that you've had?

How are you feeling these days? Any nausea, vomiting or other digestive disorders?

Member, @leighs2011, just posted about her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. I would encourage you to read her post.

Will you post an update as to how you are doing when it's convenient?

REPLY
@sadiegrace

Hi Teresa, nothing has really changed in my medical condition. I am happy to report that I feel good. Eating everything and anything with no problems. Still only on Armour Thyroid and Creon. All vital signs good and weight is stable. I’m 3 months into hospice and praising God for how well I am doing. My nurse I see once a week just shakes her head. I’m back to all of my activities and although quite a few people I associate with have come down with COVID, so far I have been spared. I’m in the process of selling my home, to take the burden of that off my son and am cleaning out closets and donating quite a bit to charity. It’s so easy to part with “things” when you know you won’t be here this time next year. Each day is more precious, not knowing how long this period will last, but right now I know God is using me to witness His love and the peace that only comes from a relationship with Him. No matter what circumstances you find yourself in, His Grace is sufficient.

Jump to this post

Hi again, @sadiegrace

Its been a little over a month since you last posted. I hope you are continuing to feel well and are active.

Will you post an update when its convenient?

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.