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Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others
Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (1435)Comment receiving replies
Last week I had a biopsy of pancreas and endoscopy; Dr. explained I had pancreatic cancer and a plugged bile duct. This week I am having another CT scan and meeting with oncologist. Next week Dr. Ramage will use endoscopy to place a stent in bile duct. This week has been difficult with my emotions taking over so much, and I don't want to put my family through this. I am very grateful for the Mayo support group since we don't live near a Mayo Clinic. I am retired educator--teacher, local education supervisor, and program director for NC state education dept. So I prefer to have all info I can learn about what to expect and how to be most productive for as long as possible. I am married to a wonderful and unusual man who retired to care for his first wife who was on oxygen and an invalid for their last 3 years. My husband had fibrosis in lungs and lived for 12 months after the diagnosis. I was a widow for 10 years before my second marriage--both to really great men. Right now I need help with handling my emotions and learning all I can about living as well as possible. Thank you for being there!
Replies to "Last week I had a biopsy of pancreas and endoscopy; Dr. explained I had pancreatic cancer..."
Hi @srhyne! I’m new to the group although I was diagnosed in October 2021. I had treatment locally but am now at Mayo heading for a complete pancreatectomy— a word I don’t know until about 6 months ago. If there is one thing that has stood me in good stead as a mantra of sorts, it’s this: You are not a statistic. Statistics say you should be terrified of pancreas cancer. But statistics don’t acknowledge all the many exceptions—and there’s no reason you can’t be one of the better outcomes! So focus on learning from those stories
That said, there’s a lot to learn. Take control of the things you can, like diet, exercise and sleep. The common“mindset“ advice is a two-edged sword. It can turn into blaming the victim if things seem not to go right (“You weren’t thinking positively enough!” That’s nonsense, IMO)
One more thought: Don’t give up if at some point down the road your local team says they can’t help. I was being treated at one of the best cancer centers in the country in Boston, which thinks of itself as a medical Mecca. After 12 rounds of chemo my local surgeon said he thought surgery was too risky, end of story, basically. I had my scans sent to Mayo and they told me, to the contrary, I’m an ideal candidate for a very complicated surgery that they do more of than anyone else. So here I am, doing “prehab” to get prepared.
Keep plugging and putting one foot in front of the other, but let people help you.
Good luck!
@srhyne I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year - in NC and currently being treated at Duke. I decided to record my experiences and thoughts that I hoped would be of some use to the newly diagnosed patient and their families. My notes are now available in e-book and paperback format and you can read a sample at the following link to help determine if it might be right for you - https://www.amazon.com/One-Path-Among-Many-experiences-ebook/dp/B0BBD5ZVTG Best,
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Welcome, @srhyne. Things look like your moving in the fast lane right now. This must be so much to take in and at the same time to keep up with appointments and everything you're being told or need to do.
That all takes an emotional toll for sure. I know that fellow members like @marvinjsturing @stageivsurvivor @jdjabara @beachdog @tpl @bede @thebobk @helenar @lfitz know exactly what you're going through. Some of them, like you, have been recently diagnosed and others have been living with pancreatic cancer for a while or caring for someone living with pancreatic cancer.
srhyne, as you're in the info gathering stage, ask questions, ask questions, ask questions, both of your care team and here.
How are you feeling today? Any questions about this week's upcoming CT scan and meeting with the oncologist?