My husband had no symptoms except pain in his back. Assumed it was a back issue until diagnosed with mets to the spine. Would never have guessed cancer.
My Husband was diagnosed in July 2024 after having a Distal Pancreatomy . He lost about 30 lbs, had little appetite and was tired all of the time. They started doing tests. His CA19-9 kept going up but they could not find
any tumors, just a lot of inflammation. Oncologist said it was not Cancer, probably Pancreatitis but he had absolutely no pain. Went to Jefferson in Phila for a second opinion and they suggested doing surgery to get an answer. Fairly large tumor in body and tail of the pancreas. Tumor was hiding under all of the inflammation so never showed up on CT Scans . Also took 20 Lymph Nodes. Cancer found in 14 of the 20 lymph nodes. Many nodules also found in his lungs. A lung Biopsy was finally done in February 2025. Nodules were Positive for Pancan. He is Stage 4. He had several setbacks with Surgery. That is why the Lung Biopsy was just done recently.
No Chemo or Radation. He is on Palliative Care . Only occasional pain, not bad. We will be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary in July and trying to enjoy every day we have together. He is still very tired but I try to get him out of the house every day, even if it just to get out for Breakfast to see other people.
Thank you for the information.I am an RN and recently have had some strange symptoms, namely pain under the sternum, abdominal cramping, like something is eating my insides, strange looking stools, constipation.Can't get in to see a GI until end of April .I have known and cared for many patients and they all have different symptoms.It is interesting how this disease presents itself. Prayers for you and your husband in this journey.
I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer and underwent the Whipple surgery a month ago as it did not spread to nearby or other organs.
Symptoms before I knew I had pancreatic cancer are:
- bloating
- pain in back near right shoulder blade
- tea coloured urine
- yellowing of skin
- tiredness
How long did you have symptoms before you sought a Diagnosis?Prayers for a speedy recovery and thank you for your input.Doing research and gathering information. .
Thank you for the information.I am an RN and recently have had some strange symptoms, namely pain under the sternum, abdominal cramping, like something is eating my insides, strange looking stools, constipation.Can't get in to see a GI until end of April .I have known and cared for many patients and they all have different symptoms.It is interesting how this disease presents itself. Prayers for you and your husband in this journey.
End of April?! Go to ER and tell them about the pain under your sternum (heart problem) and other symptoms. Sorry to be stern, but for God's sake, get some imaging done right away.
Had CT of chest and EKG last week..CT showed pulmonary fibrosis all lobes..EKG normal...have history of PE...but that was ruled out . Reviewed with PCP. Made pulmonologist appt with pulmonary function tests prior to appt May .Ccf not anxious to schedule quickly.. Have too many symptoms to followup on...which do you choose? Breathing or GI symptoms? I get the feeling they are not anxious to work on a 76 yr old body that is at the end of it's lifespan..sadly
Had CT of chest and EKG last week..CT showed pulmonary fibrosis all lobes..EKG normal...have history of PE...but that was ruled out . Reviewed with PCP. Made pulmonologist appt with pulmonary function tests prior to appt May .Ccf not anxious to schedule quickly.. Have too many symptoms to followup on...which do you choose? Breathing or GI symptoms? I get the feeling they are not anxious to work on a 76 yr old body that is at the end of it's lifespan..sadly
You sound like an RN. I am a "retired RN". I had mid back pain only & that was attributed to arthritis (DJD) of my spine, like what did you expect. I did have some indigestion but at 72 (then) that could also be diet related. When I got a CT for having been off smoking for 15 years & then there was a something going of with my pancreas, maybe, I got a PET scan & as you say, very long wait to see GI so I contacted Mayo in Jacksonville, FL. They got me in quickly! Did some tests & confirmed my dx of Pancreatic cancer stage 4 inoperable. After I saw my local oncologist and had my port installed, I finally got calls from GI in the area. Try Mayo! You would advocate for your patients! Advocate for yourself!
[First Post] I first noticed mild abdominal and back pain in December 2024. I also experienced bloating after meals, but no other symptoms.
In late-January 2025, I had a bout with acute pancreatitis that landed me in the emergency room. That started my PCP looking at my lipase levels. For one of my labs, he ordered CA 19-9, which turned out to be in the 2,700s (< 37 units per milliliter is normal). That precipitated a biopsy which discovered a tumor on my pancreas. I got the pancreatic cancer diagnosis two weeks ago. I hope to get my port installed next week and start my first of 12 rounds of chemotherapy the following week. Once that's done, in the Fall, the plan is a Whipple procedure followed by more chemo.
At the moment, I'm struggling with the right way to share my diagnosis with friends, family, and colleagues. The word "cancer" is loaded enough. Prefix it with "pancreatic" and the weight goes up exponentially.
It's wild how fast I went from "the picture of health" to not.
You sound like an RN. I am a "retired RN". I had mid back pain only & that was attributed to arthritis (DJD) of my spine, like what did you expect. I did have some indigestion but at 72 (then) that could also be diet related. When I got a CT for having been off smoking for 15 years & then there was a something going of with my pancreas, maybe, I got a PET scan & as you say, very long wait to see GI so I contacted Mayo in Jacksonville, FL. They got me in quickly! Did some tests & confirmed my dx of Pancreatic cancer stage 4 inoperable. After I saw my local oncologist and had my port installed, I finally got calls from GI in the area. Try Mayo! You would advocate for your patients! Advocate for yourself!
I was diagnosed with stage 1 pancreas cancer last year my symptoms were everything I ate I would get pain in the sternum area that would shoot to my back. Could not lay down it would hurt worse used a heating pad to sleep on . After having chemo 8 treatments and then radiation and taking a chemo pill 28 days of treatment. Had Whipple surgery in October of 2024. Everything went well surgeon said he thought he got it all. Took out 21 lymph nodes 4 came back cancerous. But while I was open the shot me with radiation. Then I went in for my 3 month CT scan and it came back that it had went to my liver 5 spots . So I started chemo again this time I went on Gemcitabine and Paclitaxel. Just had a CT scan on March 12th found out that this chemo regiment is not working ended up with a couple more spots on my liver. Knock on wood it hasn't went anywhere else just the liver. So I am going to start the first chemo regiment that I was on when this all started. Which is Oxaliplatin,Leucovorin,Irinotecan, and Fluorouracil . Also seen the clinical trial Doctor and found out it's a rear type of cancer I have. He said that there is a new trail coming out that he thinks would be perfect for me. And if that one doesn't work there is another one coming out soon. So don't give up they are coming out new things every day. Stay positive!
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My husband had no symptoms except pain in his back. Assumed it was a back issue until diagnosed with mets to the spine. Would never have guessed cancer.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsMy Husband was diagnosed in July 2024 after having a Distal Pancreatomy . He lost about 30 lbs, had little appetite and was tired all of the time. They started doing tests. His CA19-9 kept going up but they could not find
any tumors, just a lot of inflammation. Oncologist said it was not Cancer, probably Pancreatitis but he had absolutely no pain. Went to Jefferson in Phila for a second opinion and they suggested doing surgery to get an answer. Fairly large tumor in body and tail of the pancreas. Tumor was hiding under all of the inflammation so never showed up on CT Scans . Also took 20 Lymph Nodes. Cancer found in 14 of the 20 lymph nodes. Many nodules also found in his lungs. A lung Biopsy was finally done in February 2025. Nodules were Positive for Pancan. He is Stage 4. He had several setbacks with Surgery. That is why the Lung Biopsy was just done recently.
No Chemo or Radation. He is on Palliative Care . Only occasional pain, not bad. We will be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary in July and trying to enjoy every day we have together. He is still very tired but I try to get him out of the house every day, even if it just to get out for Breakfast to see other people.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
10 ReactionsThank you for the information.I am an RN and recently have had some strange symptoms, namely pain under the sternum, abdominal cramping, like something is eating my insides, strange looking stools, constipation.Can't get in to see a GI until end of April .I have known and cared for many patients and they all have different symptoms.It is interesting how this disease presents itself. Prayers for you and your husband in this journey.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI was diagnosed with Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer and underwent the Whipple surgery a month ago as it did not spread to nearby or other organs.
Symptoms before I knew I had pancreatic cancer are:
- bloating
- pain in back near right shoulder blade
- tea coloured urine
- yellowing of skin
- tiredness
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHow long did you have symptoms before you sought a Diagnosis?Prayers for a speedy recovery and thank you for your input.Doing research and gathering information. .
End of April?! Go to ER and tell them about the pain under your sternum (heart problem) and other symptoms. Sorry to be stern, but for God's sake, get some imaging done right away.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 ReactionsHad CT of chest and EKG last week..CT showed pulmonary fibrosis all lobes..EKG normal...have history of PE...but that was ruled out . Reviewed with PCP. Made pulmonologist appt with pulmonary function tests prior to appt May .Ccf not anxious to schedule quickly.. Have too many symptoms to followup on...which do you choose? Breathing or GI symptoms? I get the feeling they are not anxious to work on a 76 yr old body that is at the end of it's lifespan..sadly
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsYou sound like an RN. I am a "retired RN". I had mid back pain only & that was attributed to arthritis (DJD) of my spine, like what did you expect. I did have some indigestion but at 72 (then) that could also be diet related. When I got a CT for having been off smoking for 15 years & then there was a something going of with my pancreas, maybe, I got a PET scan & as you say, very long wait to see GI so I contacted Mayo in Jacksonville, FL. They got me in quickly! Did some tests & confirmed my dx of Pancreatic cancer stage 4 inoperable. After I saw my local oncologist and had my port installed, I finally got calls from GI in the area. Try Mayo! You would advocate for your patients! Advocate for yourself!
[First Post] I first noticed mild abdominal and back pain in December 2024. I also experienced bloating after meals, but no other symptoms.
In late-January 2025, I had a bout with acute pancreatitis that landed me in the emergency room. That started my PCP looking at my lipase levels. For one of my labs, he ordered CA 19-9, which turned out to be in the 2,700s (< 37 units per milliliter is normal). That precipitated a biopsy which discovered a tumor on my pancreas. I got the pancreatic cancer diagnosis two weeks ago. I hope to get my port installed next week and start my first of 12 rounds of chemotherapy the following week. Once that's done, in the Fall, the plan is a Whipple procedure followed by more chemo.
At the moment, I'm struggling with the right way to share my diagnosis with friends, family, and colleagues. The word "cancer" is loaded enough. Prefix it with "pancreatic" and the weight goes up exponentially.
It's wild how fast I went from "the picture of health" to not.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 ReactionsI was diagnosed with stage 1 pancreas cancer last year my symptoms were everything I ate I would get pain in the sternum area that would shoot to my back. Could not lay down it would hurt worse used a heating pad to sleep on . After having chemo 8 treatments and then radiation and taking a chemo pill 28 days of treatment. Had Whipple surgery in October of 2024. Everything went well surgeon said he thought he got it all. Took out 21 lymph nodes 4 came back cancerous. But while I was open the shot me with radiation. Then I went in for my 3 month CT scan and it came back that it had went to my liver 5 spots . So I started chemo again this time I went on Gemcitabine and Paclitaxel. Just had a CT scan on March 12th found out that this chemo regiment is not working ended up with a couple more spots on my liver. Knock on wood it hasn't went anywhere else just the liver. So I am going to start the first chemo regiment that I was on when this all started. Which is Oxaliplatin,Leucovorin,Irinotecan, and Fluorouracil . Also seen the clinical trial Doctor and found out it's a rear type of cancer I have. He said that there is a new trail coming out that he thinks would be perfect for me. And if that one doesn't work there is another one coming out soon. So don't give up they are coming out new things every day. Stay positive!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions