They found pancreatic cancer a month ago.

@anto1nette, I understand that it is your husband who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, correct?

Staging a cancer can take time. Sometimes people receive treatment that helps to determine the stage, i.e., a biopsy or surgery. You can read more about staging pancreatic cancer here: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/staging.html

What tests has your husband had to diagnose pancreatic cancer? Has he had surgery? Or is chemo his first line of treatment?

First a CT scan that found the cancer. Second an endoscopy ultrasound to see the extent. That Dr didn’t even recommend chemo. Another CT at the Mayo. Nuclear PET scan the next day. After that a stent in the bile duct was put in. Chemo recommended for 4 to 6 months. Then maybe surgery. That has started.

What are the symptoms?

Tired. Back pain. Pain under his rib cage. Jaundice. Loss of appetite. Loss of weight.

Thanks for your reply. My mother and sister had pancreatic cancer but I don't think they had symptoms that they were aware of.

Was diagnosed Sept 2021, Stage I-Stage 2. Had 3 months Chemo, Whipple on March 23! Recovering now but has been rough. No more chemo(I am 84 and chemo would be too hard on me). Every thing looks good so far. Will be happy to discuss anything with you.

How wonderful for you !! God bless. It must have been very tough to go through the Whipple procedure but you did it and at your age also. You must be very strong and very determined. I do have a question for you. How did you first realize that you could had pancreatic cancer? Many people unfortunately find out when they are in stage 4. Have a lovely day
Sincerely Susan M

Symptoms: cramps, pain radiating from front right rib cage to back, nausea, digestive problems, tired, elevated blood glucose (136), then dark urine. My son’s friend(an M.D.) told him I should go to E. R. Immediately. At the E.R. they did CA 19-9(was 425) and CAT scan with contrast. Took 2 hours to diagnose me.

Pat, I wanted to add my welcome. How are you doing with eating and maintaining weight after treatment for pancreatic cancer?

Am doing okay. Lost 10 lb after surgery but am stable now. I was doing things wrong with eating but a casual conversation with a PT helped me realize this. He told me that based on my weight, I needed 1200 calories per day just to maintain my weight. However, after surgery my doctor said I could eat anything and then supplement with protein or carbo drinks. But I was eating very little and using only 3 drinks per day. Each drink was about 200 calories! I was starving myself! I adjusted to 5-6 drinks per day, felt better in a week, my weight stabilized and I now eat pretty much anything, adding drinks if I think I need calories. Bonus: these drinks contain vitamins and minerals.