Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

Hi all,
Many of you have been welcomed to the Pancreatic Cancer support group by @marciak9. Check out today's member spotlight by @hopeful33250. Learn more about who inspires Marcia on Mayo Clinic Connect, how she finds balance and why she chooses to lead with love.

- Lead with love: Meet @marciak9 https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/newsfeed-post/lead-with-love-meet-marciak9/

I think you are speaking of Dr Von Hoff. He is a leader in the world of Pcan. He works out of Virginia Piper Cancer institute with another incredible physician, Dr Borazanski. They are located in Scottsdale. I did a consult with them in May.

asutton0144,
Go ahead and have a good cry! It is perfectly understandable that you would want to do that. Get it out of your system. I know I had myself a few when I found out I had pancreatic cancer & then found out it was stage IV not I! Find yourself a good oncologist. Try using Pan Can network too! They have helpful people to talk to & information you will use. It will be 2 years since my diagnosis/prognosis, and I am so thankful for still being here. If you believe in prayer, then ask for that!

You will find so much helpful information and support here. My husband was diagnosed last year and we were completely overwhelmed, but I found hope, comfort and answers to so many of my questions. This is a journey we don't want to be on, but we're not alone. 💜

Medical treatment has come very far in the past few years! Plan for not one, but multiple opinions on your case. Treatment is not “one size fits all”. Get to a Center of Excellence for at least one of your consults. Very very important!!💜.

Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February and then going through chemo ever since. I’ve been looking for options and hearing about a doctor Hopf At the hospital in Arizona involving clinical trials and such. I live in Florida and I’ve been being treated at Mayo in Jacksonville Does anybody have any insight about this doctor or clinical trials in Arizona? Thanks

I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Pancreatic Cancer…… my grandfather and an uncle had the same.
I’ve been reading as much as I can all the while trying not to cry
Looking forward to sharing / reading in this thread

Correction: I put my cancer at the forefront of my battle and diabetes at the back.

To bwquartertide,
Sounds like your mom is in a good facility. When you say your mom continues to lose weight- is she still at a weight that would be considered normal for her age and height? You will lose weight as a result of surgery. Due to complications (a leaking pancreatic duct and consequently no real food for about 4-5 weeks) I was on the verge of emaciation and almost not able to receive chemo after 2 cycles of chemo. Also lost weight trying to keep my blood sugars in the numbers endocrinologist was looking for. Following a long-term survivor/fellow diabetic’s advice I began to put my diabetes at the forefront of my battle and eat most anything. I gained almost my pre surgery weight back at 154 and I’m 5’4 and 66 years old. I’m losing a bit weight now (ok’d by my oncologist for just 10 pounds). I still feel weaker than I did before I ever became a stage 4, but you learn to adjust. Continue her mild exercise IF her dr approves it, even if it’s just riding a recumbent bike. I wish you and your mom well in your journey.

MD Anderson Cancer.
Jacksonville, Fl.