Pancreatic Cancer Stage IV: I need support

Hi @ut3cordova How was the trip to Disney? How are you doing?
@jimde, I also wanted to check in with you, since we haven't heard from you in a while. Jim, what treatment are you doing? How are you doing?

Hello Colleen, Thanks for asking about my status. I have pancreatic cancer, stage 4B, with metastasis to the liver. After 6 chemo sessions with Abraxane and Gemcitabine, the tumors in the pancreas and liver have shrunk and my CA19-9 tumor marker test has come down from over 300 to 36. Only significant side effect has been hair loss. I was able to enjoy the summer spending lots of time on my boat at a lake in the Adirondacks of NY. Next CT scan is Monday...praying for continued good news.

Hi @colleenyoung - I really don't know how to use this application very well. I was sent a comment you made to me (@jimde) and replied to your post. Did my reply actually post? How do I access all the posts regarding pancreatic cancer?

Jim, you posted perfectly. If you click the blue VIEW & REPLY button in the email notice you will see all the messages in the particular discussion about pancreatic cancer.

Click here to see the Cancer group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/cancer/.
Click the FOLLOW button to the right of the picture.

Now you will receive only messages that are posted to the Cancer group and specifically to the discussions about pancreatic cancer that you have participated in.

How marvelous that the tumors have shrunk and that the tumor marked has decreased so significantly. Being able to spend time on your boat in the Adirondacks sound lovely and must have given you much joy. We'll be thinking about you on Monday. Let us know how the CT scan goes. Or keep in touch beforehand if you find yourself struggling with scanxiety.

Colleen, Thanks for your.input and kind words.

Hello everyone, my mum was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. We went to the hospital after she complained of stomach pain. Unfortunately the MRI told us that the tumor has grown into the blood vessels. Apart from that the tests found 3 small lipomas at the liver (the bigger one has a diameter of 9 mm). The doctors are afraid of metastasis though they said that nothing can be certain yet. They suggested chemo and then cheching again if the blood tests are improved. (If the liver tumor respond well, probably it is a metastasis). Does anyone have experience with something like that? Is there any chance the cancer becomes operable? Thank you all in advance

Welcome to Connect, @dimitra
You'll notice that I moved your message to a discussion about pancreatic cancer where can meet @jimde @ut3cordova and others being treated for pancreatic cancer. I encourage to read through the past messages where they share about the treatments they've had.

I'm also tagging @amysue77777 and @WendyAnne who have experience caring for someone with pancreatic cancer. You may wish to join this conversation in the Caregivers group
- My husband has pancreatic cancer http://mayocl.in/2bmaoPd

Dimitra, when does your mother start chemo?

Thank you for your answer,
we do not know yet when she will be starting chemo. A doctor insists that we cannot decide since the only way to get a biopsy is to proceed to a surgery. However i asked a few others and they said that we should be able to get a biopsy from an endoscopic ultrasound. The tumor is big enough so it would rather be an easy procedure.

Dimitra,
Sometimes a biopsy can be done using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). See more information on diagnostic testing here: http://mayocl.in/2k3vp66 However this may not be an option in your mother's case. Have you considered getting a second opinion?

We asked a few doctors, some are sceptical for the EUS since my mother had a myocardial infraction recently and she is now taking oral antiplatelet agents. Others say that switching to iv drugs (meaning from aspirin to heparin) for a few days will solve the problem. She will have the injection the day before and the day after the EUS. I also consulted an oncologist who believes that a chemotherapy can be based on the blood tests we have and then after a few weeks we can try again for a biopsy if that is allowed. After some online research, I found out about liquid biopsy, a method quite similar to blood testing that is said to be easy and effective. Luckily, one of the few people that are currently practising this procedure, was an old professor of mine at my university. Has anyone had any experience with that? Should at least give it a try?