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.

@ruthie67

For me, it was very exhausting. They took out 3/4 of my pancreas and my spleen and left the head of the pancreas. Only all my cancer is gone. Just need to be treated with chemo and go from there and trust the Lord. He’s faithful I will tell you two weeks out. I’d develop an abscess in my pancreas. This was excruciating pain I was septic it lasted about six days. Praise the Lord. The antibiotics kicked in God‘s faithful I pray yours Will be too

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Ruthie,

I note a lack of thanks to the medical professionals who spent their lives training and studying - billions of hours from millions of people - to save your life.

Perhaps a reasonable thing to consider?

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@mayoconnectuser1

Ruthie,

I note a lack of thanks to the medical professionals who spent their lives training and studying - billions of hours from millions of people - to save your life.

Perhaps a reasonable thing to consider?

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You don’t know me !! I’ve worked in the medical profession for 33 years ! If there any lack in me !you miss read my statement.
My life is nothing but gratitude an thankfulness! There’s nothing wrong with sharing my experiences though YOU would have had some compassion!!!!

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@ruthie67

You don’t know me !! I’ve worked in the medical profession for 33 years ! If there any lack in me !you miss read my statement.
My life is nothing but gratitude an thankfulness! There’s nothing wrong with sharing my experiences though YOU would have had some compassion!!!!

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Right - my apologies.

So many folks post about their thanks to their deity, sometimes forgetting the people - in this case the medical professionals.

Other times it doesn't occur to them that continually mentioning their deity might actually offend others who have other deities - or, no deities at all.

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@bceg1969

Concerned that my husband's oncologist at Dana Farber wants to watch his stable tumor instead of treating it with more chemo. The pancreatic surgeon at Brigham & Women's ,Dr Tom Clancy won't operate because of vessel involvement so I would like to see the oncologist be a little more aggressive . It's concerning that he want wants to wait for the tumor to become unstable before treating..
I have heard of surgeons at other hospitals that do operate on tumors with vessel involvement
Wondering about second opinions on treatments or is it normal to wait for a tumor to become UNSTABLE?

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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?

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@mayoconnectuser1

Right - my apologies.

So many folks post about their thanks to their deity, sometimes forgetting the people - in this case the medical professionals.

Other times it doesn't occur to them that continually mentioning their deity might actually offend others who have other deities - or, no deities at all.

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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.

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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. 🙏🙏

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@rayb2024

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. 🙏🙏

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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

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@rayb2024

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. 🙏🙏

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@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?

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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.

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@rayb2024

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. 🙏🙏

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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.

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