Started chemo for pancreatic cancer and already want to quit

Hello.
If I may ask, what treatment plan is your sister on? If she is doing folfirinox, the "cocktail"
Can be adjusted to a lower dosage, or perhaps one of the ingredients can be taken out. I originally started
With folfirinox, but could not tolerate the oxaliplatin. Now I am on 5FU without oxaliplatin and tolerating it much better.
Nausea has been an issue for several days after treatment, but I manage to keep it at bay with compazine, lots of lemon water, peppermint life savers and eating every 2 or 3 hours..mashed potatoes help. My numbers are improving, lymph nodes reducing, no mets to liver or lungs. I had previously been on gemcitabine and abraxane after whipple
Many months ago. I wasn't as nauseous on that, but I lost all of my hair within 3 weeks.
I truly feel for you and your sister and hope that she will be able to either change her treatment plan or be able to tolerate it better.
Sending blessings to you both.

My husband had the IV infusions also but no longer needed them after the dosage of the chemo drugs was lowered.
His appetite improved considerably . Very helpful to eat small amounts 5 times a day than three meals. Also ask for ZenPep pancreatic enzymes- to absorb the nutrients from the good he can get down. My husband put all his weight back on over time- about 15 pounds.
Tumor still shrunk at lowered dose and 19-9 is normal from almost 5000. Don’t give up hope.

Thankyou for your reply. He is receiving the anti nausea and steroids. He hasn’t had to many issues with nausea just very very tired and can’t eat. We’ve been doing IV fluid infusions between treatments which has been helpful. Im very glad to hear your husband is doing well. That’s very encouraging 🙏🙏.

My husband suffered terribly until they added anti nausea drugs before infusion, low dose steroids with infusion and lower dose of the chemo drugs. 18 months later he is still doing very well - just one bad day and a couple tired days every two weeks.

My husband has had 3 treatments ( same drugs). They kicked his ass. Lost weight, slept alot, alot of stomach pain. He’s had a 13 day reprieve from chemo and we start back Monday. He did IV fluid treatments between infusions and that seems to help. He did gain back 4 pounds during this time and we’ve had better days. Don’t give up. We’re staying positive despite the prognosis. It is very difficult to see someone you love going thru this. Just stay hopeful and positive. 🙏🙏🙏.

thank you for the advice, we really appreciate it god bless

@tnt69, denial is a part of this journey you, your sister, your family didn't choose to take. I think you might appreciate this article about how hope and denial can work together and how hope can be reframed.

- Hope and Denial https://www.virtualhospice.ca/en_US/Main+Site+Navigation/Home/Topics/Topics/Emotional+Health/Hope+and+Denial.aspx

Hospice care includes a team of people from doctors to nurses to social workers to chaplains that work with anyone in the family that can use comfort and care. I want you to know that you can call your local hospice and ask about services available for you, to help you accept and to learn what you can expect.

It was early, Stage 1., found by accident. I talked to all the doctors, surgeons, oncologists, tests run. Remember I’m 82. I have other ongoing medical issues.

how long ago did you make the decision not to do treatment? and at that time what stage were you?

her decision was pretty much based on how sick the chemo made her,even though the doctor was willing to cutback a little on the chemo she just didn't want to put herself through that every week,it seemed to be that it was trading a bunch of good days for extra bad days just to excist longer,she never really even wanted to do the treatment but we as a family kinda pushed her into it ( which we never should have) it wasn't until the 2 nd round of chemo and driving all the way to Minnesota,checking in for treatment,that she realized she didn't want this,that's when she stuck up for herself and finally said something,I'm glad she did,all of us were so worried about her being here longer that we didn't even think about what she would have to go through to make it happen,it was very selfish of us to talk her into something that she never wanted to do. I'm just glad she is having lots of good days now and not suffering like she would have. I know now that people with this awful disease should be heard and family should not think about what's best for them but rather what's best for the patient.