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@cindysavant

Hello, my name is Cindy and my husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer in June 2021. We have gone through 3 months of the 5-Fu chemo. Just had PET scan and CT scan results show that chemo didn’t decrease the cancer; however, doctor said it showed a slight increase since June. The doctor changed medication to Gemzar/Abraxane. He’s had 1st chemo with this new (but older) medication and doesn’t get as sick but still feels yucky (as he puts it). I’m concerned as his caregiver that this new medication will be like the old and then we will have wasted more months when with Pancreatic Cancer one doesn’t have months to lose in fighting it. Am searching for what to do. Have even heard of dog worming medicine as an option (Joe Tippen Protocal) but doctors are against that. I’m having trouble trusting conventional chemo methods but do not want to jeopardize my husband’s life. Speaking of jeopardizing, I read Alex Trebek’s book and he lived 20 months with it but I can’t find anywhere in his book what his treatment was to go 20 months. Anyone have any experience or ideas as to where to go from here? My husband is 62 and is supposed to retire in November 1st this year. I just hate to see him so tired all the time. Wish there was something I could do. I did email Emory (as we are closer to Emory) about a clinical trial 3 days ago and have not heard a word back. Afraid if we go for a clinical trial or go with Mayo we will be starting all over and the medicine will be delayed. Sorry for such a long post but these are very real concerns from a caregiver who truly wants to add years to her husbands life. I need him as do his 3 children and his 5 grandchildren. Thanks in advance for reading such a long post.

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Replies to "Hello, my name is Cindy and my husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer in..."

Sorry to hear about your husband. Unfortunately, folfirinox and gemcitibine/abraxane are "the standards of care" for pancan. Many oncologists won't stray from the standard even though their success rates are poor. Find an oncologist who thinks out of the box or a trial if you're dissatisfied. My wife had 9 folfirinox, sbrt, surgery (2x) and 15 gemcitibine/abraxane/cisplaten treatments. We started the tippen protocol a month ago while still doing GAC (won'tt be telling the oncologist). You have a long fight ahead. Stay strong. Good luck and prayers for your husband and family.

Hello @cindysavant and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can certainly understand the concern you have shared about your husband's treatment plan. Have you considered getting a second opinion? I would recommend that you visit a Cancer Center of Excellence and get a second opinion from an oncologist with a background in research and vast experience in treating this type of cancer.

Here are some websites for the American Cancer Society and National Pancreas Foundation.
https://www.cancer.org/
https://pancreasfoundation.org/about/
If you search their websites or call them they can undoubtedly direct you to some specialists in your area to assist you in determining the best treatment for your husband.

As you know, some people do have remarkable life spans after their diagnosis depending on the location of cancer within the pancreas.

Do you know the location of your husband's pancreatic cancer?