@asugent I understand your concern about your mother's situation and the stress it places on you and your mother. It was great that your mother got three years NED and I'm hopeful that the Gemcitabine therapy will be beneficial for her (I just finished 12 cycles of Folfirnox and will start on Gemcitabine the first week in November).

In response to @colleenyount call out, I invite you to watch an interview I recently had with the Power of the Patient Project - https://youtu.be/Inz8Z1s7D04 In addition to a brief summary of my diagnosis and therapy, I discuss how I've been "dealing with" my diagnosis and prognosis in a way that helps me focus on the here and now and to not miss out on those good days/moments that come my way.

My wife, Diane, was also interviewed by the Project and she offers a "bookend" to my interview as a wife/caregiver and also as a nurse who works with cancer researchers and patients - https://youtu.be/qyaw8Cc3Yng Perhaps you and your mother would find something of use in these frank interviews by Diane and me.

Yes, some days, especially when I'm encountering the cumulative side effects of therapy, it's a struggle to stay balanced. And on those challenging days I just try to roll with the punches as best I can (e.g., sleeping if that's what my body wants). Other days I can push through the funk with some effort.

Today, for example, started out on a down note, but we're having some great Fall weather in NC, and I was able to get to my patio where I have a little woodworking bench set up and spent some time on a pleasant distraction. It's these little opportunities that I count as "wins" along the way - precious moments that I didn't spend fretting about my situation and future.

Best,