Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

@colleenyoung Hello,
Thank you for checking in on me.. Its been a whirlwind since receiving my pancreatic cancer diagnosis on April 1, 2026. I had the port placement done and on yesterday, 4/15, I completed my first round of chemotherapy with a total of 8 rounds planned. I am feeling out of sorts is the only way I can put it. My brain is telling me I can still do the things I enjoy doing such as yard work, house work, go to the grocery store. I tried doing a couple of those things today but my body movement is not keeping up. The fatigue is something indescribable. I just hope as time passes that it will be better. Again, thanks for your concern.

@jerryc131 luv those memories you captured in your photos. I've been in a nightmare it seems for 18 months. The nightmare can switch to a butterfly & unicorns dream at times. Then back to a nightmare. Actually it's just a fuzzy day by day reality of doctors appointments, Scans, blood labs, scares ..laughs..family times ... silly jokes ..tears...and yes even arguments . Arguments because we're scared...scared together. Scared alone. Confusion about medical terms, what's next, calendar full of scribbled must do dates. Family stressed by how things are going...what each other is feeling. Tears alone...tears together. Looking at a surgical update screen in a family surgical waiting room scanning it for your loved ones #. Seeing all of the #s & looking at the faces of others in what they are going through. Flash backs of the years past. Making positive thoughts of what's the future. Going to chapels in whatever hospital your at at the time. Saying we've got this & then saying I can't do this. In all for me...it's day by day. As I sit in a recliner at the hospital. Day # 4 post opp. Room is dark for it's how he likes it. No TV for it bothers him. Watching him with these unforgiving hiccups. DOCTORS with good news...doctors voicing things are troublesome due to this & that. Feeling we will get through this one day. Then feeling how can we get through this. I don't mean to frighten you nor burden you with so much to think about. Yet it's reality. So many here going through something similar, or different. Yet still ( going through it) I have notes scribbled everywhere in my home. Some I pick up & read some realizing they are from a year ago...or 4 months ago. I keep them all. So take notes ..write notes to each other. Do research...ask questions. Cry , laugh, feel sad , feel joy, just FEEL, cause sometimes there is no feeling. Just numbness. Prey & have hope. Make a plan & stick with it. Ok I'm rambling. Most of all...take care! Keep strong.

@gamaryanne Thank you so much. I have had genetic testing and don’t have any known genes associated with pancreatic cancer. I wish I was more aware of the family history of pancreatic cancer before my mom died of it, but I was more focused on her breast cancer in her 30s. Even then, although I did genetic testing for breast cancer then, I didn’t think to ask my mom to get tested. I’m sure she would have done it. I am registered with a study that will inform me if more knowledge of pancreatic cancer genes results in identifying a gene that I have. Because of my family history, I was able to be admitted as a patient of the Mayo Clinic Gastroenterology Dept and they order abdominal MRIs with contrast annually. I have one this Sunday. I am going to research molecular testing—I have not heard of it. Previous MRIs have identified small pancreatic cysts but they have been stable. I am a bit of a health researcher so I am glad to see that your note confirms what I have been doing. I am 80 years old so I think my parents’ and grandparents’ generations probably had lots of environmental exposures that may have played a big role, especially since I know many or most smoked, which I have never done. Thank you again for your helpful advice.

I have Pancreatic cancer stage 3 unresectable. Diagnosed last June did chemo an radation finished in November 2025. I’ve been without treatment since. They say it’s contained and no spread. My question is, is it normal to be in constant pain? The mornings are the hardest I have to take pp before I even get out of bed, pain so bad. Getting a nerve block in 5 days. Will this help with this pain? Cause I can’t live like this everyday. Thxs

@casey1959
Here I sit in my lovely sunroom overlooking the lake we live on. Hubby on computer. Both of us acting normal like in 2 weeks he’s NOT going to meet the dreaded Mr. Whipple. But he is.
Your thread has brought me back down to reality. There is so much I have to do to get ready, I think?!?
And there you are in ——? watching the love of your life struggle to regain his foothold in this life. I cannot imagine! And yet…

My fella has had no cancer diagnosis yet even after 3 biopsies and EUS’s. But he has the growth on the head of his pancreas, so they’re going in and pulling out all the parts and stomping them flat.
I have so many questions for you or anyone who has gone through this..
What did you for him do to get ready
What did you do for you?
How do you spend the time while he is in the hospital?

@casey1959 Some of the nicest people that I have ever met provided me with care. Little things like a cup of coffee, a fresh hot blanket when I am freezing, comforting me when I am terrified, telling me it's ok after I vomited on them, and many other things. I feel very fortunate.

@flowergarden26, I add my welcome. How did the first round of chemotherapy go?

@casey1959 Same! I have learned so much about something I had very little understanding of. Just know you are not alone and hope to lighten in some small way what you are both experiencing. The first week for my Husband post Whipple was the most scary for me. Even as a nurse this was so different than any thing expected. He also had BP, heart rate issues, so much drainage, swelling and ended up with a pulmonary embolism. Somehow he made it through. I get the feeling of fear and the gravity of all that is happening and how little control we have in the circumstances we’re in. Despite everything you both will get through this and back home recovering before you realize, one step at a time. Grateful for this forum that helps us all connect.

@tomrennie I feel some of the smallest things are so big. A nurse went out of her way to bring me coffee. I sat & looked up at the sky outside my husband's room. Just feeling thankful.

@yellie what a comforting read...ty! Struggles today. Irregular heart beat..BP up & down. Sweating. Meds given & after hours all evened out. So many things can be attributed to what in my mind shouldn't be ..yet I'm learning every day. Wish we all had a handbook . For me this group is ours. Ty all.