1. < Pancreatic Cancer

New diagnosis: locally advanced pancreatic cancer

Posted by ncteacher @ncteacher, Mar 31, 2023

I'm new to the Mayo board, but not a Mayo patient and not in MN. This week I received a new diagnosis of locally advanced pancreatic cancer. I had hoped to do surgery, but have been definitively told it's unresectable because even though the tumor is confined to the pancreas, it's wrapped around some blood vessels. So our first line of defense is chemo. I'm having a laparoscopy next week to pin down more details and complete staging, as well as install a chemo port. Questions: Does chemo ever shrink the tumor enough to do surgery to remove it? Or is something else required, such as radiation? What's the success rate for this type of pancreatic cancer? Finally, the surgeon mentioned a Tiger Pac clinical trial to me. I've poked around the internet and have a very basic understanding of this, but I'm hesitant because it seems like using an unproven treatment approach could put me in worse shape than I'm already in. I'd be interested in hearing others' perspectives and experiences. I am reeling, as you can imagine. Two and a half weeks ago, I was teaching and back in grad school; now everything has come to a screeching halt, and I am struggling to stay positive. Thanks in advance for your replies!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pancreatic Cancer Support Group.

kuba | @kuba | Aug 11, 2023

My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March. No surgery option.
The first 6 treatments chemo where horrible. After 6 treatments we had a scan n his tumor in head of pancreas had shrunk. He had metastasized to liver which didn’t show up on first CT but did show up after his 6 treatments. Doc thought dead spots so that was good.
Now we r at every 3 wks. He is tolerating this much better.
He is 63 n just retired. He had no prior health problems. We just have time. I read online 6 months. I believe he will go beyond the 6 month mark next month.
Dr doesn’t say much but to enjoy the time we have.
At first, the first six treatments, he would feel good two days before he to have to go back in. I am his wife it seem like it almost wasn’t worth it.
But when we got the scan and the tumor shrunk and killed some of the cancer cells and now he is tolerating it better I’m glad we did it
I still don’t know what to expect. We don’t get any answers. His lab work is maintaining OK
The only thing I really remember is, if hisWBC starts to go down that’s the only thing they can’t fix.
Good luck it’s a very difficult struggle

REPLY
2 replies
kuba | @kuba | Aug 11, 2023
In reply to @kuba "My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March. No surgery option. The first..." + (show)
@kuba

My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March. No surgery option.
The first 6 treatments chemo where horrible. After 6 treatments we had a scan n his tumor in head of pancreas had shrunk. He had metastasized to liver which didn’t show up on first CT but did show up after his 6 treatments. Doc thought dead spots so that was good.
Now we r at every 3 wks. He is tolerating this much better.
He is 63 n just retired. He had no prior health problems. We just have time. I read online 6 months. I believe he will go beyond the 6 month mark next month.
Dr doesn’t say much but to enjoy the time we have.
At first, the first six treatments, he would feel good two days before he to have to go back in. I am his wife it seem like it almost wasn’t worth it.
But when we got the scan and the tumor shrunk and killed some of the cancer cells and now he is tolerating it better I’m glad we did it
I still don’t know what to expect. We don’t get any answers. His lab work is maintaining OK
The only thing I really remember is, if hisWBC starts to go down that’s the only thing they can’t fix.
Good luck it’s a very difficult struggle

Jump to this post

September will be our six month mark and I believe he will go beyond that
He gets dizzy, very easy, and after this last chemo, his balance was off, but he is still independently mobile
Good luck

REPLY
frygirl777 | @frygirl777 | Aug 11, 2023
In reply to @mayoconnectuser1 "I am a bit distressed by your belief, frygirl, that "Everyone ... should do what they..." + (show)
@mayoconnectuser1

I am a bit distressed by your belief, frygirl, that "Everyone ... should do what they feel is right for themselves."

IMO, folks should listen to science, in most cases requiring some form of interpretation - these folks are usually medical doctors. "Everyone" IMO should not do what they think is best, especially given the propensity of some to pick up on magical treatments found on the internet.

Unless you are a qualified medical professional (please let us know), and actually understand the interactions, perhaps you should not malign doctors and the FDA?p and science?

Again, IMO, if your CA 19-9 is declining, it is because of the chemo.

To allow others to judge your statements regarding O3, they should read this link, and the hundreds of others warning of dangerous side effects of ozone treatments.

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/ozone-therapy/

Jump to this post

Believe what you want & I will do the same! I am taking charge of my own health. You cited one article that you found from a hospital. I have read countless books about it and have been getting the treatment for months. I know how great I feel after each treatment.

I don’t rely on doctors only & I never will. I have cured ny ulcerative colitis with a strict herb regimen when no gastroenterologist had anything to help me. I cured my own bone spur with herbs when a podiatrist said the only option was surgery.

Chemo may be working but ozone therapy is also working for me & countless others. Don’t knock it till you try it!

I’m about done with this blog & offering helpful suggestions. Peace out!

REPLY
2 replies
mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Aug 11, 2023
In reply to @frygirl777 "Believe what you want & I will do the same! I am taking charge of my..." + (show)
@frygirl777

Believe what you want & I will do the same! I am taking charge of my own health. You cited one article that you found from a hospital. I have read countless books about it and have been getting the treatment for months. I know how great I feel after each treatment.

I don’t rely on doctors only & I never will. I have cured ny ulcerative colitis with a strict herb regimen when no gastroenterologist had anything to help me. I cured my own bone spur with herbs when a podiatrist said the only option was surgery.

Chemo may be working but ozone therapy is also working for me & countless others. Don’t knock it till you try it!

I’m about done with this blog & offering helpful suggestions. Peace out!

Jump to this post

frygirl,

I am not trying to be combative, but telling people they can, in effect, do better than doctors - sounds kind of silly right? It sounds like you pick and chose based on what your medical caregivers offer?

Do you have some formal background in biology or chemistry of integrative medicine to provide you will the basis to understand the technical basis of the countless books you have read? Again, not trying to be offensive, but trying to understand why you would feel qualified to assess and prescribe?

REPLY
sloped483 | @sloped483 | Aug 12, 2023
In reply to @frygirl777 "Believe what you want & I will do the same! I am taking charge of my..." + (show)
@frygirl777

Believe what you want & I will do the same! I am taking charge of my own health. You cited one article that you found from a hospital. I have read countless books about it and have been getting the treatment for months. I know how great I feel after each treatment.

I don’t rely on doctors only & I never will. I have cured ny ulcerative colitis with a strict herb regimen when no gastroenterologist had anything to help me. I cured my own bone spur with herbs when a podiatrist said the only option was surgery.

Chemo may be working but ozone therapy is also working for me & countless others. Don’t knock it till you try it!

I’m about done with this blog & offering helpful suggestions. Peace out!

Jump to this post

frygirl777,

You don't come off as "offering helpful suggestions" (per your words) but more authoritative in your advice.

Do you have a medical/research background and/or can cite articles/books to back up your claims/advice?

REPLY
1 reply
frygirl777 | @frygirl777 | Aug 12, 2023
In reply to @sloped483 "frygirl777, You don't come off as "offering helpful suggestions" (per your words) but more authoritative in..." + (show)
@sloped483

frygirl777,

You don't come off as "offering helpful suggestions" (per your words) but more authoritative in your advice.

Do you have a medical/research background and/or can cite articles/books to back up your claims/advice?

Jump to this post

Do you & I will do me, as I implied before. Many people are not open to anything other than what their oncologist prescribes & that is totally fine & their decision. I was sharing what is working for me & also someone else who I know with this disease who it is working for. I am no longer going to be posting or sharing suggestions on this forum due to the flack I am getting on this one. I’ll stick to the other ‘supportive’ forums I am part of. I personally understand that you have to research & be your own advocate in this battle as oncologists do not know EVERYTHING therefore I am open to trying additional holistic remedies to beat my cancer!

There are many books written on the benefits of ozone therapy. Whether you choose to buy, read them or believe what the medical doctors who wrote them say is completely up to you.

Here is one of them for your interest:
Principles and Applications of Ozone Therapy, A Practical Guideline For Physicians by Frank Schallenberger, MD, HMD, ABAAM

Best wishes! This is my final reply.,,,

REPLY
2 replies
ncteacher | @ncteacher | Aug 12, 2023
In reply to @frygirl777 "Do you & I will do me, as I implied before. Many people are not open..." + (show)
@frygirl777

Do you & I will do me, as I implied before. Many people are not open to anything other than what their oncologist prescribes & that is totally fine & their decision. I was sharing what is working for me & also someone else who I know with this disease who it is working for. I am no longer going to be posting or sharing suggestions on this forum due to the flack I am getting on this one. I’ll stick to the other ‘supportive’ forums I am part of. I personally understand that you have to research & be your own advocate in this battle as oncologists do not know EVERYTHING therefore I am open to trying additional holistic remedies to beat my cancer!

There are many books written on the benefits of ozone therapy. Whether you choose to buy, read them or believe what the medical doctors who wrote them say is completely up to you.

Here is one of them for your interest:
Principles and Applications of Ozone Therapy, A Practical Guideline For Physicians by Frank Schallenberger, MD, HMD, ABAAM

Best wishes! This is my final reply.,,,

Jump to this post

"Here is one of them for your interest:
Principles and Applications of Ozone Therapy, A Practical Guideline For Physicians by Frank Schallenberger, MD, HMD, ABAAM"

All I will say is--do a Google search for this doctor (last name appears to be spelled Shallenberger, without the C).

REPLY
mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Aug 13, 2023
In reply to @frygirl777 "Do you & I will do me, as I implied before. Many people are not open..." + (show)
@frygirl777

Do you & I will do me, as I implied before. Many people are not open to anything other than what their oncologist prescribes & that is totally fine & their decision. I was sharing what is working for me & also someone else who I know with this disease who it is working for. I am no longer going to be posting or sharing suggestions on this forum due to the flack I am getting on this one. I’ll stick to the other ‘supportive’ forums I am part of. I personally understand that you have to research & be your own advocate in this battle as oncologists do not know EVERYTHING therefore I am open to trying additional holistic remedies to beat my cancer!

There are many books written on the benefits of ozone therapy. Whether you choose to buy, read them or believe what the medical doctors who wrote them say is completely up to you.

Here is one of them for your interest:
Principles and Applications of Ozone Therapy, A Practical Guideline For Physicians by Frank Schallenberger, MD, HMD, ABAAM

Best wishes! This is my final reply.,,,

Jump to this post

So, Dr Shallenberger appears to have quite a trail ...lots more than these, but apparently he has been repeatedly investigated?

Please folks, investigate - use common sense - ask your doctors.

https://quackwatch.org/cases/board/med/shallenberger/accusation/https://faculty.uml.edu/sgallagher/california_medical_board_case_ag.htmhttps://ailinghomeopathy.journalism.cuny.edu/https://www.snopes.com/news/2020/12/17/frank-shallenberger-covid-vaccine/
REPLY
1 reply
ncteacher | @ncteacher | Aug 13, 2023
In reply to @mayoconnectuser1 "So, Dr Shallenberger appears to have quite a trail ...lots more than these, but apparently he..." + (show)
@mayoconnectuser1

So, Dr Shallenberger appears to have quite a trail ...lots more than these, but apparently he has been repeatedly investigated?

Please folks, investigate - use common sense - ask your doctors.

https://quackwatch.org/cases/board/med/shallenberger/accusation/https://faculty.uml.edu/sgallagher/california_medical_board_case_ag.htmhttps://ailinghomeopathy.journalism.cuny.edu/https://www.snopes.com/news/2020/12/17/frank-shallenberger-covid-vaccine/

Jump to this post

There is a lot to look at. The most recent I found was filed by the Nevada Board of Medical Examiners dated April 2023. There is no resolution on this one that I could find. It shows up this way in the Google search:

Complaint - Frank Shallenberger, MD - Case No 23-7127-1

REPLY
nursemmy | @nursemmy | Aug 14, 2023
In reply to @kuba "My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March. No surgery option. The first..." + (show)
@kuba

My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March. No surgery option.
The first 6 treatments chemo where horrible. After 6 treatments we had a scan n his tumor in head of pancreas had shrunk. He had metastasized to liver which didn’t show up on first CT but did show up after his 6 treatments. Doc thought dead spots so that was good.
Now we r at every 3 wks. He is tolerating this much better.
He is 63 n just retired. He had no prior health problems. We just have time. I read online 6 months. I believe he will go beyond the 6 month mark next month.
Dr doesn’t say much but to enjoy the time we have.
At first, the first six treatments, he would feel good two days before he to have to go back in. I am his wife it seem like it almost wasn’t worth it.
But when we got the scan and the tumor shrunk and killed some of the cancer cells and now he is tolerating it better I’m glad we did it
I still don’t know what to expect. We don’t get any answers. His lab work is maintaining OK
The only thing I really remember is, if hisWBC starts to go down that’s the only thing they can’t fix.
Good luck it’s a very difficult struggle

Jump to this post

Hi! What chemotherapy did he receive for his first six treatments and one chemo is he getting now?

REPLY
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