Anyone chosen palliative care? What are the last months/weeks like?

Thanks. As you can imagine, given the aggressiveness of this cancer, I’m not out of the woods yet—but am grateful how things have rolled out thus far.

As for your question: I have a mutation in ATM.

I, myself have chosen to go on hospice instead of palliative care because it is much easier to get equipment, supplies and medication. I have no experience with the final days but my husband does not want me in a facility if possible.

Ok, I also have ATM, but I was stage 2 with 1 lymph node involvement. Before July 2022 I had Kaiser, and in April I started complaining to my dr about pain in my back, questioned my elevated monocytes, and complained about sudden very high blood sugar levels that couldn’t be controlled. I switched to Blue Shield in July of that year but didn’t get my diagnoses u til late September. I always wonder if I had the right care neck in April, if it wouldn’t have spread to that 1 lymph node and I would have been better off.
I’m rooting for you and your continued good health!

Bravo for your good husband! Prayers for you.

I hear you about wondering if there had been a diagnosis sooner, even a few months sooner, you might be in an entirely different situation now. I was damn lucky. The small, cancerous tumor just happened to be positioned so it put pressure on the bile duct which led to symptoms (change in the color of my urine, stools and skin) that led to the discovery of the tumor. Had it not been for that, and given the nature of this cancer, I might be in an entirely different situation today or, perhaps, dead. It is, in some ways, the luck of the draw. I know that in my bones. But, as I said, I don’t feel I’m out of the woods yet.

I’m also grateful that Mayo Clinic is in my network and is only a 90 minute drive from my house. I got my treatments and am followed by an oncologist here, in Minneapolis, and had the surgery and am followed by an oncology team at Mayo.

I wish you the best. May you be well in health and spirit.

KRAS G12C targeted with Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) shows a high response rate. Only about 3% of KRAS mutated cancers are due to G12C. It is more common in Non Small Cell Lung Cancer.

In my opinion, you have one of the best cancer facilities at your disposal. My niece who had thyroid cancer went there and avoided radiation and chemotherapy (she had surgery) and is now cancer free as it’s been over 10 years.

Thank you, StageIV, I always look forward to your sage advice! Yes, I’m aware of Keytruda having success with KRAS12C. It’s a start at least for the KRAS mutations. I believe better things for other KRAS mutations are bound for the future. Can you respond to my question on another thread about how to determine a 0.9 cm lung nodule I have in my right lung lobe isn’t cancer as the medical (not pancreatic) oncologist is advising against a biopsy due to possibility of puncturing the lung. The PET scan noted it wasn’t appreciably metabolic. My CA19-9 is rising like crazy, but PET scan shows I may have a cancerous lesion in my femur.

I believe you should find a very experienced surgeon and get the Whipple if you’re strong at all. Cancer in the duodenum will be removed completely and you should have many good years to come. Get a good surgeons opinion!

Are you a good surgeon?