Terry:
This is Deb, wife of Tom, also 45 years. We have a very similar story. Tom was diagnosed in early March with what they said was a stage 2 tumor on the head of the pancreas. He endured 2 months of Folfirinox (which failed) and 4 months of Gem/Abraxine, which did lower the CA19-9 from 800 down to the 200s. We were so looking forward to the Whipple on Dec. 9 at Froedtert in Milwaukee. Devasted to receive a call from the OR that they found 3 tiny spots on the stomach lining, therefore, they abandoned the whipple. 5 hours of surgery to remove the gallbladder, reroute the bile duct etc. All they are suggesting now is more Gem/Abraxine. We are also looking for better alternatives! Going to speak with UW Carbone in Madison, WI and an inperson appt at Mayo in Rochester on the 17th of January.