Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

every patient is different. I never was told about the 12 session gold standard. My platelets starting giving issues after 4 chemo sessions and even with skipping a week did not recover well. Now my CA19-9 was 330 at beginning of treatment. But after a CT, they decided to move on to the Whipple surgery. I really wish I had the surgery first and then chemo but I know the tumor did reduce in size...it was still larger than CT revealed just before surgery. All went well. I had a spinal block and pushed myself to walk ASAP. I got to eat ice for the first 24 hrs and then Jello by the second day...just a little. It all helped my mental status and supported my drive to heal. I went home after 5 days instead of 8. Still had a lot to regain, but for me so much better to do at home. Work as a part of your team and make good choices forward...ASK questions.

She is being seen at Oncology / Hematology Fredericksburg VA. The Surgical team is lead by a Dr that has been doing these procedures for 20 years, he has taught as well. The Oncologist did order a CT early based on her pain being completely gone, thinking the tumor has reduced and no longer large enough to press on the plexus. Also influencing the scan being ordered now is the marker number dropping so fast. Initial finding found the tumor did not invade any veins or arteries. My hope is for the surgical determination to prevail at 5 or 6 rounds of chemo. My wife is a small woman and she is loosing so much weight and quickly. She no longer can tolerate Kate Farms meal replacement drinks or much of any food at all. As I stated my biggest concern is she simply gives up and refuses any further treatment. She has another round (5th) next Monday. Then the CT the following week. Based upon the rate / speed in the reduction of CA 19-9 seeing it near the single digits is possible. Thank you for your interest and time to comment.

Where is she receiving treatment? The "gold standard" might be 12 but every patient is different. My wife was told 12 treatments then surgery but scans showed that the tumor became resectable after 9 so she had surgery after 9. You need a dr./team that is totally up to date and don't just go by-the-book.
Oxalyplaten is a very rough treatment with lifetime maximum dosing and the side effects are cumulative and long lasting so keep after her team and don't let them cookie cutter the treatment. Good luck.

My name is John. My dearest of 37 years received a diagnosis of Pancreatic adenocarcinoma. It was determined that there is a heterogeneously hypoechoic 35 x 32 x 32 mm mass in the body and tail of the pancreas. After confirmation and biopsy it was confirmed. This was found during a routine scan where they "saw something" that needed further investigation. PETCT found no other cancer in her body. The follow was recommended and started, 12 rounds of chemo. This is to be followed by surgery to remove the tumor, tail and spleen. I have been reading that 12 rounds of Oxaliplatin and 5FU may not be required...our Oncologist is persistent that 12 is the standard course. After 4 rounds my concern is that my wife will withdraw from treatment. It is working...her pain is gone, she no longer takes any pain meds. Also, the CA 19-9 is 80 (after 3 rounds of Oxaliplatin and 5FU) down from 2291. My question remains...is 6 rounds sufficient for Oxaliplatin, and continued 5FU? If you know of any studies for research on this subject please share that with me. Thank you.

My husband was diagnosed with Ampulary cancer and had tge Whipple procedure at the end of March. He also has cirrhosis so his chemo is delayed. I would like to be in touch with other caregivers dealing with this vicious disease.

This sounds like a perfect approach. Thank you.

Whichever chemo regimen he gets, plan on being flexible with your plans. Reactions to chemo are all over the map; some people keep working. For others it's much more debilitating. Be prepared for a marathon then if it's less taxing you'll be relieved. Good luck and God bless.

Good luck and hang in there. Yes , one day at a time,

My husband has been diagnosed w/ pancreatic cancer in the last couple of weeks and is going through staging now, and is getting a port installed for the anticipated chemo. It's weird to have plans for the summer not knowing if we'll be able to proceed, but he does not want to tell anyone about it. That may change after this staging is finished and he proceeds to whatever is next. We're in our mid-70s. Just taking things one day at a time. A bit tiring, though, dancing around the gorilla in the middle of our lives. 😳
I have already learned a lot from reading these posts and offer my thanks to those who share their experience so generously. 💕

Of course you are scared. I had my stage four diagnosis in March and I am also scared. But by getting a second opinion and researching clinical trials and reading as much as possible I have made it my job to understand and beat this cancer I have a much better attitude now. You have to be involved in your own health plan.