Where is best place to go for second opinion for stage 4 pancreatic?

Yes, Mayo Clinic does Whipple surgery. Dr. Truty is a lead oncology surgeon at Mayo Clinic. You may wish to search for him on Google or in the discussions here on Mayo Clinic Connect to connect with pancreatic patients and caregivers who have been to Mayo Clinic. Simply use the search terms "Truty" or "Mayo" in the search field of the Pancreatic Cancer support group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/pancreatic-cancer/

You can also start with this video:

Do you know if he removes the lesions on the liver first

That would likely depend on the specifics of your mom's diagnosis. Others like @stageivsurvivor @markymarkfl @susan2018 @bobsrdoch @ashley2235 @rod54 may be able to share more.

You might also be interested in this related discussion:
- My HIPEC experience and pancreatic cancer https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hipec-1/

Ah - OK, sure, MDA, like Mayo, "works with" several hospital systems - but, it looks like CSNF is privately owned - not "part of" though ... my advice is always the same with pancreatic cancer - after diagnosis is confirmed, relocate to the area where a center of excellence is, and remain throughout your treatment. Many believe that oncology can be done most anywhere - my sense is that centers of excellence are excellent at oncology as well as diagnosis and analysis and surgery.

Thank you!

Do you know if it’s a long wait to get into the mayo clinic?

Again, that depends on multiple factors including clinic current capacity, patient diagnosis urgency, among other factors that I couldn’t predict. But worth inquiring. An appointment coordinator at each of the campuses will be able to inform you specific to your mom’s situation and the availability of appointments. Fingers crossed!

My sister in law’s journey was really complicated, she was diagnosed at stage 4 but her oncologist would not recommend or refer her to another oncologist he said they could not perform any surgery therefore the protocol would be same, she was in excruciating pain so could not travel and medication was every 2 hours so basically she felt she had no choice of another opinion. She developed ashites and then water in her lungs and severe edema in her legs.
She recently passed on but she fought hard and gave us strength and always had a strong faith to help her through her journey. She is missed terribly. Everyone’s journey is different and I have heard some amazing stories, never give up and I pray for everyone on this site for courage and strength and much support.
God bless

Hi @restless1763 and welcome to another Canuck. You might be interested in joining these discussions about ampullary cancer here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/?search=ampullary+cancer

Did you have any treatment after surgery? How are you doing now?

Thank you, I will join that conversation. I am still coping with the ongoing issues people have after Whipple surgery and continue to be monitored every 3 or 6 months as issues arise. I did 6 months of chemotherapy after surgery which was hard and I lost about 2/5ths of my weight. Just as I was starting to feel like the worst of things were past I was diagnosed, after a routine scan, with a primary lung cancer and had my LUL removed in August. Caught early so only surveillance required and just trying to improve the occasional breathlessness and getting some strength back. This is my third cancer after breast in 2002 so my mantra is “3 times the charm and I’m done.”

Thanks for reaching out!

Of course it's incredibly upsetting to hear "Stage IV," but some people do have atypically good experiences -- so after you nail down getting the best care than you can, perhaps read some of their stories.

A man -- and ?former? medical researcher -- known on this board as @stageivsurvivor has written at length about his experiences; in short, he was diagnosed about 11 years ago, underwent surgery and 46 cycles of FOLFIRINOX (some modified), and is doing very well. He has also mentioned a woman who underwent 37 cycles and is in good shape, also about 11 years after diagnosis.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/question-for-newly-diagnosed/?pg=2#comment-970218
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His insights are exceptionally useful, in part bc of his professional training. Here's a link to all of stageivsurvivor's comments on this site:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/member/00-3a8075b911bad2ae280957/activity/comments/
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markymarkfl is another ultra-valuable source of info; I encourage you to read his comments, too. (I'm pretty sure that he's an engineer, and my sense is that he's able to digest scientific articles, and share results with us, bc of his intellect and education.)

Some short pieces about survivors:
https://letswinpc.org/category/survivor-stories/
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I wish you and your mother (and other loved ones who are involved) all the best -- and I hope that her diagnosis moves her to the head of the line.