Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

Hi Sandy, my husband had the same surgery in July. The doctorw will advise you of how to proceed diet-wise. The first step was liquid, then soft food (pudding, oatmeal, yogurt), then a light diet (eggs, toast, turkey, chicken, mashed potatoes). He was advised to stay away from raw vegetables and salad for the first two weeks. We found that if he had a meal with a little more fat, he'd have a bit of difficulty with digestion. One meal in particular was some ground chicken with a bit of mashed avocado - the avocado was a little too much so soon after surgery. He was lucky as it related to sugar, his sugar has been fine so there wasn't any restriction in that respect. Two things that helped him immensely prior to and after the surgery were using the spirometer and walking. I requested the spirometer in advance, and he started using it a couple of weeks before the surgery. It is amazing what the body is able to withstand. The thought of him getting out of bed and walking after that surgery was unbelievable to me, but he did and it was the best thing. If i can be of help in any way, please reach out. I'll be thinking of you both with positive thoughts.

What a neat testimonial for advocating for yourself, @gardenlady1116. Your journey with cancer has taken you down many roads and you have navigated the roads very well.

Your post reminds us that a cancer diagnosis never hits at a good time. There are usually other bumps in our road, and this new diagnosis represents just one more thing to deal with. I admire your tenacity and I hope that other members learn from your experience!

How are you feeling right now?

When I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it was my third cancer diagnosis. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I had two young children and a marriage that was falling apart. I was in a complete stake of shock and my world was turned upside down and inside out. Then my oncologist and surgeon did not agree on the surgery (surgeon didn't think more surgery was needed after the local resection of the cancer and the oncologist disagreed). I had to take it upon myself to find someone for a second opinion. More chaos and confusion as I wound up trying to find my own consultant. The second opinion was very helpful. Once I had chosen my doctors and come up with a treatment plan, things settled down a bit.

With my second cancer, I felt a bit on more familiar territory and didn't wind up with too much with second opinions, my second opinion oncologist suggested the BRCA testing. Based on my family history, he thought the risk of the gene was about 13%. Shock of all shocks, I was found to have the BRCA1 gene. Did not turn my world upside down completely, but certainly changed things. At that point I was divorced and I went along and redid my will and trust.
Now with my third diagnosis, I am really a veteran, but I have much more idea how to advocate for myself and do my own research about my cancer and its treatment. Again I had to refer myself to a center of excellence, but wasn't too difficult for me to see where that should be.

I have learned from every story I read on this forum. We will be there to help you however we can. You probably do feel alone, but you are not at all alone. I hope you will keep talking to this group. I am sure we will all learn from your experience. Others can tell you how they have coped with their diagnosis and initial reactions.

Hey Ray,

Wishing you luck. I started down this road in March of 2023. I can understand the panic completely - I'm still on the bumpy road right now. Let us know if there is anything we can try to answer for you that can help slow down the panic a little.

Hello all. I'd like to remind everyone of the community guidelines, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/. Specifically:

Remain respectful at all times. Exercise tolerance and respect toward other participants whose views may differ from your own. Disagreements are fine, but mutual respect is a must. Be inclusive. Not everyone shares the same religious or political beliefs. Don't impose your beliefs on others. Avoid typing in ALL CAPS, as it is considered shouting.

Now let's get back to the spirit of the discussion of welcoming new members to the pancreatic cancer support group. Let's extend our welcome to @rayb2024 who was just diagnosed and is feeling overwhelmed and panicked about their new diagnosis.

@rayb2024 Hi Ray and welcome to the Pancreatic Cancer support group on Mayo Connect. It is understandable that you feel in "panic mode and trying to keep it together." We have many members who have been treated for pancreatic cancer with good results. In this forum you will meet some of those members like @markymarkfl and @stageivsurvivor and many others.

As you are new to this forum, please share as you are comfortable doing so.
What tests led to your diagnosis? Were you having symptoms when this was discovered? Has your cancer been staged yet?

I am waiting to get on wait list for liver transplant. A long journey so far and some days are better than others for me. Many days I have wondered if I have the the strength to make it to finish line. No fox hole prayers here. I try my best to get and give the most love I can, and keep my eye on the prize. Hth

My name is Ray and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 1/19/2024. To say the least I’m in panic mode and trying to keep it together. I’m 71 and in good shape however the mental aspect is devastating. Trying to stay positive but it’s extremely difficult. Today 1/26/2024 im at another hospital for a review of all the X-rays cat scans and MRI. 🙏🙏

Interesting.
Does it occur to you that challenging or questioning people who speak of their deity or their faith is possibly offensive to them? Or offensive to people like myself who believe that forums such as this are meant to be a safe space for the personal sharing or exchange of their experience?
Simple suggestion, take what you can use and leave the rest.

Hello @bceg1969

Is is always a patient's right to get a second opinion! Please don't feel that you have to wonder and worry about the watch and wait approach. There are lots of pancreatic centers of excellence that you can contact to find a doctor to give you a second opinion. These consults can often be virtual if you cannot travel for an in-person visit.

If you would like to consult with a Mayo Clinic oncologist, here is appointment information for all three of their locations, http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63.

How is your husband feeling? Does he have symptoms that are leading to loss of appetite or weight loss?