← Return to Concerned: I'm beginning to suspect I have pancreatic cancer

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@bb21

I have a history of obesity, thus diabetic and soft stools from IBS. I suddenly had acute pancreatitis in summer of 2017. diagnosed as idiopathic...no known reason. A couple of months later a resident doing clinic visits ask if could check my lipase since it had not been retested since my release from the hospital. It was higher than when I was released, not real high but above normal. My primary doctor decided to send me to Duke GI group to be evaluated. I had an upper endoscopy that was clear but perhaps indication to watch for..Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms (IPMN). I was watched for a couple of years with MRI's, change in symptoms of which I had none. Then in September 2020, one GI specialist just wanted to make sure that things were okay and ordered another Upper endo to see if secretions were in the bile duct that could be cancerous. They also ordered a CA19-9 and it was 100 (norm 0-40). They then saw a tumor that had grown in few months. I consulted with Oncology and a surgeon in the same day and the team decided to go Chemo first and then surgery. Tumor was confined to head of pancreas with no vascular involvement. Did chemo from November to Jan. 2021 and due to good response and the fact that chemo was working havoc on my platelets, we decided to do the Whipple surgery. Tumor was larger than expected but still confined and surgery went well. Removed 25 lymph nodes of which one was positive. Genetics revealed that I had a rare type found only in 1-2 % pf Pancreatic cancers and high to become resistant to treatment. I hve since had lesions found in liver and thus considered metastacized. I am fighting this even though it is probably fatal but so are many things. I decided that whatever time I have, I want to live, to love my husband, kids and grandkids even harder. "We" have to keep our heads up and looking forward with positivity or we just waste our days. Smile, laugh, enjoy life. We are here to support you and remember that your symptoms be many things.

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Replies to "I have a history of obesity, thus diabetic and soft stools from IBS. I suddenly had..."

Wow, you’ve been through so much. Thank you for telling me your story. You’re right, it’s so important to enjoy life the best we can. I wish you well with your continued fight and commend you for your courage. I hope that if I’m facing something sinister, I’m able to do so with as much bravery and positivity ❤️