Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Dec 3, 2019

Welcome to the Pancreatic Cancer group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
This is a welcoming, safe place where you can meet people living with pancreatic cancer or caring for someone with pancreatic cancer. Let’s learn from each other and share stories about living well with cancer, coping with the challenges and offering tips.

I’m Colleen, and I’m the moderator of this group, and Community Director of Connect. Chances are you’ll to be greeted by fellow members and volunteer patient Mentors, when you post to this group. Learn more about Moderators and Volunteer Mentors on Connect.

We look forward to welcoming you and introducing you to other members. Feel free to browse the topics or start a new one.

Pull up a chair. Let's start with introductions.

When were you diagnosed with pancreatic cancer? What treatments have you had? How are you doing?

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

valerina30 | @valerina30 | Jun 6, 2025

They didn’t actually say it was cancer yet, there’s a mass on my pancreas a they want me to get it biopsy. I’m assuming this is standard procedure?

valerina30 | @valerina30 | Jun 6, 2025

Just got diagnosed with mass on pancreas

199 | @199 | Jun 5, 2025

My oncologist used to be associated with St. Joe's/Candler's. They have good people there too.

Dennis A | @denam1 | Jun 4, 2025

In reply to @denam1 "My surgery was actually done at st Joseph Candler. I give them high praise for their..." + (show)

My surgeon was Dr Russell Kirks. Great doctor!

Dennis A | @denam1 | Jun 4, 2025

In reply to @199 "Savannah Memorial is where I get my CT scans & where the Anderson Cancer Center is..." + (show)

My surgery was actually done at st Joseph Candler. I give them high praise for their efforts.

199 | @199 | Jun 4, 2025

In reply to @denam1 "Hello! My diagnosis came about last August. I had some strange things going on bodily and..." + (show)

Savannah Memorial is where I get my CT scans & where the Anderson Cancer Center is located. Great oncologists there 🙂

dalegantous | @dalegantous | Jun 4, 2025

In reply to @hakanb "Hello, he destroyed the tumor, detected it with ultrasound. I just wanted to give you some..." + (show)

Thank you!

Dennis A | @denam1 | Jun 4, 2025

Hello!

My diagnosis came about last August. I had some strange things going on bodily and went to my doc to see what was going on and we started with a blood work up on a Friday and on Monday I was moved along to Savannah Memorial Hospital where two more days of testing occurred with the end game being dealing with stage 3 pancreatic cancer. My medical team did a few more procedures in the following couple of weeks then said they recommend a full removal of my pancreas and a half a dozen other organs to go along with it for good measure. My wife and I agreed as we really liked and trusted our surgeon, Dr Russell Kirks.

I’m a 70 yo, non smoking otherwise healthy male. The adjustments we’ve made since the surgery have gone ok. Had a ct scan yesterday and the results as posted this morning showed no progression of the disease anywhere. I’m feeling very blessed.

hakanb | @hakanb | Jun 4, 2025

In reply to @dalegantous "Was it histotripsy - ultrasound? Did it destroy the tumor? How did you feel? Where did..." + (show)

Hello, he destroyed the tumor, detected it with ultrasound. I just wanted to give you some advice. It was done in Turkey. I know it's done in America, you stay in the hospital overnight, it's an easy operation. Translate deepl

Dennis A | @denam1 | Jun 4, 2025

Hi, I’m Dennis A.

Been through a lot this past 7 months and would offer any of my insights to anyone interested. My experience has been positive but not without some pitfalls along the way.

Have high hopes for a few really good years to come still having aggressively gone after this disease as soon as it was apparent.