Unexpected diagnosis of pancreatic cancer: How can I help my friend?

@kriya83
How tender your heart must be. For one, don’t stop calling or seeing your friend. Their world could get quite small. Not because people don’t care but they don’t know what to do. Just make sure they know, more than once, that you are there for them.
Warm fun socks and a wonderful blanket are great gifts. So is homemade (or not!) soup and perhaps a journal for them to write in with inspiring thoughts for each day. If you are close enough as friends, definitely encourage a second opinion. Make sure they get to a liver and pancreas center of renown.
I presented as stage IV. All cases are different but the support and prayers of my friends and family gave me perseverance and hope.

I had a normal bilirubin in August 2022, turned yellow in November of 2022. I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had a biopsy and stent. I had blockage of pancreatic ducts. When I started on treatment for lack of pancreatic enzymes, I realized that some of my IBS type of symptoms might have been related to partial enzyme deficiency. The symptoms were fairly subtle. I had a colonoscopy without anything except for a few polyps. I think I had the symptoms, very mild, going back to a year before the tumor was discovered

Friends are a lifeline for me. I sometimes feel I am not really part of the world these days. The outreach from family and friends has been amazing and keeps me going. Also, I can say enough for making sure that you are really getting expert opinion. Pancreatic cancer is a complex disease. I have been treated on the East Coast at Sloan Kettering Memorial Cancer Center, but there are cancer centers and pancreatic centers of excellence all around the USA.

YES!!! Get a second opinion. This is extremely important. Does not necessarily have to be Mayo. But they are the best hospital. I think it depends on what kind of insurance you have.

I recommend the memoir Life Interrupted. The author has leukemia but it is an inspiring book.

See if there is a local affiliate with The Pancreatic Action Network. They lots of resources. Join their FB group!
Everything that gamaryanne said in her post.

Thank you all for the valuable sharing. Was with them last night for the first night out of hospital. The gallbladder had to be completely removed a few days ago, the stent did not work because the pancreas is displacing the surrounding organs.

For those recently diagnosed, caregivers, family members and friends, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCan.org) is an excellent resource for understanding the disease, diagnosis, treatment options and care. This link is a good starting point-

A very good practical guide written by a pancreatic cancer patient covering details from diagnosis to treatment and resources to help in navigating is “One Path Among Many” - a cancer patient’s experiences and insights about his personal journey by Robert Koshinskie. It is clear, concise and presents the information in a logical sequence, easy to find and comprehend. It is published by Ringbolt Press ISBN 9798837716065 and very likely available from Amazon.

I just ordered from Amazon.

@kriya83, I'm thinking of you and your friend. This must come as a shock to you both. How are they doing? How are you doing?