Need advice: Stage 2 pancreatic cancer

Greetings:
I'm a 68-year-old male and was diagnosed in March 2022 with stage II Pancreatic Cancer. I am being treated by an oncology team at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, WI lead by Dr. Douglas Evans. To date, I have had 3 treatments of Folfirinox (which failed) and 7 rounds of Gemzar/ abraxane. My CA-19-9 went from 318 in March, to 813 in May to 316 in July. My last CT scan was July 11th with partial results showing:

"(Pancreas: Ill-defined hypodense tumor in pancreatic head
measures about 3.1 x 2.4 cm (6:138) versus 3.4 x 2.6 cm
previously (remeasured 6:141). Upstream pancreatic duct
remains dilated up to 4 mm. Stable 8 mm enhancing nodule in
uncinate process)".

Not sure what all that means but my doctor said he wasn't too concerned about the lack of shrinkage (he used the "house" analogy) and suggests that I start another round of Gemzar/ abraxane, then a CT scan in 4 weeks to evaluate results. If the CA19-9 numbers don't come down sufficiently, then I'd move on to 6 weeks of radiation/chemo, then a four-week hiatus with The Whipple Procedure to follow.

Questions: I have lots of them. First and ....foremost. The 5-year survival rate is all over the map. I'm sorta clinging to 40%, which appears to be on the very, very high end.

So, those of you that have surpassed this precious milestone what are you doing to maintain your health?

1). Your diet.... anything special? Do you eat foods containing sugar and if so, how much? Fruits? vegtables? Other? Anyone on the KETO Diet?

2). Daily exercise: Any special programs or workout schedule? My wife and I try to walk 2-3 miles each day. Before my diagnosis, I was walking 5 miles, 5-6 days per week for the past 12 years.

3). Alcoholic Beverages. Do you consume any? Wine, beer, spirits.....if so, how much?

4). Are you or have you received or continue to receive treatments of chemo, or?

Like all pancreatic cancer patients, I want to survive this thing. Anything tips and/or suggestions will be SO VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!

Thank you so very much!
tpl

Hello @rexsan20

In your post you said, "Not sure about this." I'm not sure what you mean. Can you clarify?

There are several types of cysts that occur in the pancreas. They are being detected more frequently as the sensitivity and resolution of CT and MRI keep improving. If the description is from CT imaging, a surgical oncologist may order more specific imaging such as EUS, MRI or MRCP to try and determine the more specific type and risk factor.

Cysts can be benign, pre-cancerous or malignant. The specific type will determine a course of action from surveillance to surgical intervention. Cysts such as IPMN’s that occur in the ducts are generally benign in branch ducts. When occurring in a main duct, they can become problematic.

The last three sentences you wrote give the impression that no pathologies of the pancreas have arisen as of this point in time. A surgical oncology consult will go over any further diagnostic imaging, biopsy and surveillance recommendations.

This was a MRI.

Was mine in a main duct?

There was no mention of any cyst within the main duct from what you wrote.

Thank you for your responses. It helps, knowing there are others with same issues. I should find out Aug 2 when surgery is. Right now, I have one more chemo tx begire surgety. They are tough.

I have a hematologist/ oncologist doctor. I have an appt this Friday with her. I will take my results to let her look over it.

So so sorry. Did you start with cysts? Did the GI doctor tell you what kind of cysts?

The cysts the size wondering what kind of cysts