Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

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.

@colleenyoung

Hi BeckyLynne, welcome. It sounds like you've just received some worrisome test results but your doctors have not yet confirmed or ruled out pancreatic cancer. You are understandbly looking for hope that this isn't cancer. A mass on the pancreas can be non-cancerous and inflammation can be an indicator of cancer or inflammation.

Have further tests been ordered to find out more? How was the mass on your pancreas discovered?

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It was discovered from a CT scan to confirm a diverterlitus episode. I am scheduled for an endoscopic ultrasound with biopsy on 11/30. And yes, I was told it could be a cyst, but still worrisome. Thank you so much for your reply. I want to hear from others.

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@colleenyoung

Hi @rexsan20, I see you were asking members @cindysavant @macleish if they've been on Creon. Rexan, have you taken Creon? Did you have questions about it?

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yes has anyone taken Creon

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@rexsan20

yes has anyone taken Creon

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Rexan, you may be interested in this discussion about Creon and pancreatic enzyme replacement:

- Pancreatic enzyme replacement https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pancreatic-enzyme-replacement/

@becklynne1960, I'll be thinking of you on the 30th and be interested to hear what you learn. We're here if you need to talk over the weekend.

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@colleenyoung

Rexan, you may be interested in this discussion about Creon and pancreatic enzyme replacement:

- Pancreatic enzyme replacement https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pancreatic-enzyme-replacement/

@becklynne1960, I'll be thinking of you on the 30th and be interested to hear what you learn. We're here if you need to talk over the weekend.

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Thank you so much. I'm just a basket of emotions right now. I go between being scared to thinking maybe it's nothing. Virtually no symptoms but I also know that's not a definite either way. I appreciate your responses.

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@becklynne1960

Thank you so much. I'm just a basket of emotions right now. I go between being scared to thinking maybe it's nothing. Virtually no symptoms but I also know that's not a definite either way. I appreciate your responses.

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Understandable Becklynne. Sending you gentle hugs. Breathe and breathe again. I think @naturegirl5 and @gingerw might have some thoughts for you about acknowledging your feelings and how to manage the rollercoaster of emotions while you wait.

What things are you doing to help soothe yourself?

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@becklynne1960

Thank you so much. I'm just a basket of emotions right now. I go between being scared to thinking maybe it's nothing. Virtually no symptoms but I also know that's not a definite either way. I appreciate your responses.

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Beckylynn, A basket of emotions is a good description. I can relate. I think about it as standing in the water at the shore of the Pacific Ocean. I’m the West Coast and the Pacific is a mighty ocean to me. I’m feeling ok watching the waves and then a big wave comes and knocks me down. I pick myself up and hope it will be ok and awhile later I get hit by another wave. The thing is that I don’t know when that big wave will come. I don’t know. It’s the I don’t know part that’s so scary to me.

I had a PET/MR scan a few weeks ago The time period leading up to the scan I felt just as you described. All over the place. I already knew my endometrial cancer had come back in a small spot. But what else would turn up on the scan? I feared the worst. But the scan showed nothing.

Will there be someone with you when you go for the scan? That helped me. Do you have someone to talk to about your fears? How are you taking care of you?

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@becklynne1960

Thank you so much. I'm just a basket of emotions right now. I go between being scared to thinking maybe it's nothing. Virtually no symptoms but I also know that's not a definite either way. I appreciate your responses.

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@becklynne1960 The 30th is just a few days away, and if you do not have a support team near you, now is the time to "rally the troops"! Having someone physically near you as you go through the scan will give you a chance to voice what you are feeling. Of course, we are here on Connect for you, also!

As you go back and forth in your emotions, remember, this is a normal reaction, okay? From "I am strong, I got this!" to "Oh, my heavens what will I do?" and everywhere in between. Interrupted sleep, healthier thoughts being pushed out of your mind [for now], poor appetite, all these can be chalked up to the emotions and nerves. Be gentle on yourself. Have confidence in your medical team. If you have some music that you have turned to in the past that is calming, now is the time to play it again. Write out what you are thinking/feeling, then tuck that paper away. Go for a walk, deep breathing fresh air and listening to nature sounds.

I have an ultrasound on the 29th, that will tell me about a previously discovered cancerous tumor, to evaluate if it has grown in size. The results will determine my health course for the next 6-9 months. So, I get your basket of emotions!
Ginger

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@naturegirl5

Beckylynn, A basket of emotions is a good description. I can relate. I think about it as standing in the water at the shore of the Pacific Ocean. I’m the West Coast and the Pacific is a mighty ocean to me. I’m feeling ok watching the waves and then a big wave comes and knocks me down. I pick myself up and hope it will be ok and awhile later I get hit by another wave. The thing is that I don’t know when that big wave will come. I don’t know. It’s the I don’t know part that’s so scary to me.

I had a PET/MR scan a few weeks ago The time period leading up to the scan I felt just as you described. All over the place. I already knew my endometrial cancer had come back in a small spot. But what else would turn up on the scan? I feared the worst. But the scan showed nothing.

Will there be someone with you when you go for the scan? That helped me. Do you have someone to talk to about your fears? How are you taking care of you?

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That's wonderful that nothing showed up. Thank God. My husband will be there with me. I am not doing anything much different in my life. That may completely change Tuesday. Prayers for clear biopsy.

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@gingerw

@becklynne1960 The 30th is just a few days away, and if you do not have a support team near you, now is the time to "rally the troops"! Having someone physically near you as you go through the scan will give you a chance to voice what you are feeling. Of course, we are here on Connect for you, also!

As you go back and forth in your emotions, remember, this is a normal reaction, okay? From "I am strong, I got this!" to "Oh, my heavens what will I do?" and everywhere in between. Interrupted sleep, healthier thoughts being pushed out of your mind [for now], poor appetite, all these can be chalked up to the emotions and nerves. Be gentle on yourself. Have confidence in your medical team. If you have some music that you have turned to in the past that is calming, now is the time to play it again. Write out what you are thinking/feeling, then tuck that paper away. Go for a walk, deep breathing fresh air and listening to nature sounds.

I have an ultrasound on the 29th, that will tell me about a previously discovered cancerous tumor, to evaluate if it has grown in size. The results will determine my health course for the next 6-9 months. So, I get your basket of emotions!
Ginger

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I pray you get good results. Yes, I have those exact thoughts. Thanks for the "writing down thoughts " idea. I will do that.

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@becklynne1960

That's wonderful that nothing showed up. Thank God. My husband will be there with me. I am not doing anything much different in my life. That may completely change Tuesday. Prayers for clear biopsy.

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I'm happy to know that your husband will be with you. Yes, prayers for negative results for you. Will you please come back here and let me know what you find out?

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