Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

My SO was diagnosed with Pan Can mid Sept 2022 and to date, has had 6 chemo treatments. According to the latest CT and PET scans, the Cancer has not shrunk, but has also not gotten larger or metastasized elsewhere. We are meeting with a surgeon (outside of Mayo) this week, to discuss the Whipple Procedure. He's been clinically staged at 1B.

That's 69 not 79, sorry

My name is Phil, I'm 79 years old. Was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in June of 2022.
Had whipple procedure end of June.
Have had 6 of 12 chemo treatments. Dr. Gave me a chemo break for one month to get stronger. I start back tomorrow.
Had severe fatigue and diarrhea.
Have had 2 CT's both were clear. CAC19 were down.

Hi!
I’m Barbara. I was diagnosed in Nov 2021 with IPMN cysts all through the main pancreatic duct. I had total pancreatectomy on 11/11/21. At the time Dr said pre-cancerous but 3/27 lymph nodes were cancerous.
I started chemo in Jan 2022 after a PET scan showed cancer had metastasized to several small places on bottom of both lungs.
Chemo dropped my tumor markers and scans showed clear except for a suspicious place in the surgical bed.
I stopped chemo in April and was feeling good until about July when I had increased stomach pain. Dr went back and scrutinized scans and decided I needed to be back on chemo. I started back 4 weeks ago. Stomach pain is better but this week I saw Oncology Radiologist for possible treatments after chemo. After a lot of questions and finding out I was having mild early morning headaches and nausea she ordered MRI of brain. This showed up 3 lesions with one on frontal lobe a little larger and edema.
I am now taking a steroid for swelling and start radiation on my brain tomorrow for 10 days. I’m feeling anxious but thankful for Drs questions to find out so quick and be able to get right into treatment.

Colleen, some angels do not have wings, you are one of them. A Big thank you for helping me navigate the world of medicine. I may not be the best qualified, but I so want to help my husband. Have a great week-end!

Thanks, I'll look into this.

Thank you, I worry because he is now nearing the end of his 1 week off of chemo and will get the folfirinox again in a few days. He still eats very little. So if he eats next to nothing on chemo week, then extremely little on the in between week, when can he replace the weight? Maybe he can get different anti nausea medications. Thanks again

Terry, to request a second opinion start by filling out the online form here: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

Once you fill out the form, a coordinator will contact you by phone to discuss your situation and ensure you get a second opinion with the right team.

thank you Colleen, I can not find a second opinion on the Mayo clinic web site. only free phone consultations. MD Anderson does a second opinion for $700. and we might do that. They look at all the medical records and will talk to our doctor about treatments. Dos that sound right?? I don't mind paying just want to know if that is what you were thinking. Any other medical second opinions will be welcome. Thank you for you wonderful help!!

Hi @sofee2022, I can see you're very worried what these cysts on your pancreas and liver might mean. They don't necessarily mean cancer, although that's the first place one's mind leaps to, doesn't it.

You might be interested in these related discussions:
- Cyst on Pancreas? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cyst-on-pancreas/
- IPMN 2 cm mass head of pancreas caught EARLY....... https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ipmn-2-cm-mass-head-of-pancreas-caught-early/
- Benign or Malignant IPMN? What to do next? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/six-non-invasive-ipmns/

Keep asking questions, Sofee! What investigations, tests are being done to learn more about your cysts?