Talking Frankly about Living with Advanced Cancer

That's the thing staying Encouraged through it all. I look at it as being BLESSED to be a BLESSING to whoever needs it. I'm inspired by your COURAGE!!!!

What really helps me cope with stage 4 recurrence Pancreatic Cancer are my children and grandchildren. I live with my daughter and grandchildren since the birth of my oldest grandson (12), next grandson (10,) and 5 year old granddaughter. I am a former K-12 teacher and caring for them has brought me joy. Being around my daughter an MD internal medicine and geriatrics at UCLA has been very person to have close. I have been lucky since my 2017 diagnosis, NED for 2 plus years and now almost 3 years since recurrence. I presently am anxious and down in the dumps about a possible return to old standard chemo 5FU. The idea of going through the insertion of the port, losing my hair again and testing my resolve. Living with grand kids keeps me positive and feelings about cancer in check but when I'm alone the blues rolls in. I have none of the known genetic markers even though my father died of pancreatic stage 4 cancer in the 1980's. So treatment is limited. We have to just plug along and count our blessings and think about gratitude. Helping others has always helped most of all. Leigh

@makatak47 Contact Mayo Clinic, and get their thoughts on wait time. Coming from the Philippines, there has to be a lead time to make arrangements, anyway.

Here is a link to the Mayo Clinic Care Network. It shows you a few different options within your landing area, that work with Mayo Clinic, including North Bay Healthcare near San Francisco [CA], Palomar Health near San Diego [CA], and Yuma Regional Medical Center [AZ]. I believe if you go to their websites you will gain a better understanding of their services offered, and contact information for getting an idea of lead times for your situation.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic/care-network/network-members
To contact Mayo Clinic about an appointment [any campus] http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
I hope this helps you out?
Ginger

Hi James, if you’re interested in making an appointment at the Phoenix Mayo Clinic campus, here is a link to their website to get you started. Don’t let the possibility of a waiting list deter you. That may not be the case.
http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
Since you’d be coming from the Philippine Islands, there is an international travel department which can help you with arrangements for travel and lodging.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/international
And one more valuable service is the Concierge department for all the little details to make your trip and stay easier.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/concierge-services
I know this is a really stressful time with a lot of decisions to make. What do your kids think you should do? Would you be traveling alone?

Mayo triages patients and if they think they can help and you need help sooner you might find you get in sooner, this could also be because certain departments have a longer wait time.Also if you are willing to go to a different location of Mayo, they might be able to get you in sooner.
Have you requested an appointment?

Phoenix would be my 1st choice, my kids live nearby, and coming from the Philippine Islands, San Francisco would be my landing spot. But, from what I read, there is up to a 2 year waiting list. Any suggestions? I could be dead in 2 years. I am a 74y/o male with stage 4 cancer. Thank You for your response.
James Mackey

Dear @makatak47
It's quite understandable that you would be afraid of all the unknown. We all go through the same feelings when diagnosed with the word " cancer". It threatens our very precious life. However, you can fight this. Seek the health team for this particular issue and set up an appointment right away for evaluation. I would call Mayo at selected states you would like to go. I hope you will get the needed care as soon as possible.
Kind regards
#ROSE53

@makatak47 You pose a very personal question. That is, each person has their own story, their own unique journey in a cancer situation. Remember, what works for one may need to be modified to work for someone else. With the right-for-you combination you absolutely have a chance at "some more years". I saw on your profile that your doctor there in the Philippines says the cancer in non-operable. If I was in your shoes, I would hold off accepting that until your case has been reviewed by the Mayo Clinic doctors you are set to see, and listen to their treatment plan ideas.

Now is a good time to write down questions you have, concerns that have come to mind, and carry those along with you to your appointments. Don't be afraid to ask for information to be repeated if you didn't hear/understand it the first time. One of the things that seems to help me, is to ask my care team, "If I was your sister, how would you advise me?" That seems to personalize things; I did that years ago with melanoma, and have done it several times since. You will have the final sayso, always, in any treatment.

How are you feeling today? How can I support you?
Ginger

James, “It isn’t over until it’s over!” I’ve been on that statistical, Cancer Wheel of Fortune, with bad odds. But here I am 3 years later in full remission. I don’t have your particular cancer but had I not taken the chance with chemo I wouldn’t be here.
At 74 you can have many great years ahead of you. But not if you don’t take the proactive step to get underway with the chemo and treatment for your disease. You will have some miserable days, I can guarantee it. It’s mostly nausea but your team will keep you covered with different nausea meds.

Fatigue will be your companion for a few months as well.
You might have some gut issues but if you can keep a reasonable diet and eat some yogurt daily with at least a teaspoon of ground flax, that seemed to help keep my intestines and stomach happier.
You also might lose your hair and have some mouth sores. The side effects are largely temporary. I was 65 when this all happened, now 68, strong and energetic.

I’m a mentor at my local hospital for other cancer patients and potential bone marrow transplant patients. My latest mentee is 75 years young, just finished his induction and consolidation chemo for AML with flying colors. He’s now heading off for his transplant.
So, with you being at 74 and having the possibility of a healthy future ahead of you with chemo or a limited future without it, personally, I’d keep an eye on the prize and go for the chemo.

Will you also require some surgery or any radiation?

Hello, I was recently diagnosed with a large tumor near my anus, and it has stage 4 cancer. It has spread to some bones and a slight amount to my left lung. Is this a death sentence, or can chemo stop it and, one day lengthen my life. I am a 74 y/o male, so I know this works against me. I met a gentleman at the hospital that said chemo wasn't near as bad as it was a few years ago, and he had been healthy for several years after several rounds of chemo. Do I have a chance for some more years? James Mackey