93 Year Old just diagnosed

Posted by fioresteven @fioresteven, Sep 29 5:47pm

Looking for some help. My 93 old mother just diagnosed with tumor on head of pancreas. She was jaundice and I took her to ER. She has had stent put in and now Jaundice is gone. I am in Boston and will get her care at MGH. My Mom does not want treatment and I agree she has lived a good life. I thought maybe SBRT radiation to just keep the pain bearable. She is not in pain right now. Any thoughts, suggestions would be much appreciated.

So funny, I had breast cancer and I only posted on Mayo Clinic, it was my go to so many great people!!1

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mcharlesfrancis | @mcharlesfrancis | Sep 30 7:12am

I would ask for palliative care now, rather than waiting until she is uncomfortable. Palliative care does not mean giving up or necessarily mean hospice. They can help with pain, nausea, appetite, digestion, anxiety, sleep and other symptoms and help your family plan ahead while keeping your mother's wishes at the center of everything.

carlos322 | @carlos322 | Sep 30 8:02am

I am sorry for your Mom’s news. I am treated at MGH for pancreatic cancer, I have found Dr Pathak to be a very good guide for treatment options and is good at explaining things. Good luck to you all.

valerina30 | @valerina30 | Sep 30 8:46am

Maybe she can try that new pill to keep it at bay

susanpmadigan | @susanpmadigan | Oct 1 10:58am

Hello, I am sorry to hear that your mom has pancreatic cancer. I would like to comments on my mom‘s journey when she was diagnosed at 88 with pancreatic cancer stage four. My mom lives a wonderful life and a very fulfilling life and she decided that she did not want treatment and wanted to be home. We had Hospice come in and my mom experienced three beautiful months without pain and enjoyed family visits and fun time especially with the grandkids. This happens also during Covid but we listen to what my mom wanted and she absolutely made the right decision not to go through treatment and enjoy her last few months of life. Hospice was wonderful with their care and all different types of medication for nausea, anxiety, sleeping, and in the end methadone. I hope this helps you in your journey with your mom. We were able to be there with her since I was retired and my dad was there there at night for her and my sister helped out every day after work. It was a beautiful death if that could make some sense to anyone if I had to say one thing I would say this… I wish I was more open talking about death with my mom instead of trying to be uplifting every day and smiling and joking around and being optimistic. I did not want to let go of her and I guess that was my way of coping, she died six years ago, and I still talk to her every day in my mind.

ln100 | @ln100 | 6 days ago

Hello. I had a neuroendocrine tumor on the head of my pancreas a year and a half ago. I had whipple surgery. I’m 69 now and I think your mother is absolutely right and you are doing the right thing. She will be comfortable and at 93 I would do the same thing. Best to both of you.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | 4 days ago

@fioresteven, just checking in. I hope you saw the helpful, supportive replies from members.

How is your mom doing? Have you and she been able to discuss comfort (palliative) care and her choice for treatment for comfort rather than cure or extending life? How are YOU doing?