Dad diag. with PC, please help....

deenie · New User Joined: 30 Nov 2007 Posts: 9

Dad is not a candidate for surgery anymore. It's stage IV and has spread. He did however manage to get a spot in next week's Atlanta test trial for pancreatic cancer. Does anyone have any information on this?

Thank you.

brainman

Hi deenie, although I have hear of Dr. Vickers, I know nothing about him or his reputation and skills. I am glad he is going to the a part of a trial in Atlanta. All trials are identified by a code name that identifies the organizetion that is sponsering the trial. It is also a way to find more information about that particular trial. If you can find what that code name is, I will be glad to do some research on it to find out more details. The code is usually a serries of capital letters followed by a number.

Your father is in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

deenie · New User Joined: 30 Nov 2007 Posts: 9

Brainman; how do I get this code name? Are these trials very positive things? Do they have advanced treatment that no one is using...? My dad felt like a weight was lifted off of his shoulders tonight and feels like he can beat this now. I personally would like more information about it but I guess we will get more tomm.?

Has anyone participated or known anyone to participate in one of these trials?

brainman

deenie, you would have to ask the medical team that is administering the trial. Also, his referring physician might have all of the information you need. I assume it was his oncologist? I will try to find a list of possible trials but cannot guarantee that I will successfully locate the one your father will be on.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

brainman

I do not know if this is the trial being offered. It's ID is Pancreatica Trial PA-7381. It is a "phase II, randomized, open-label study of Cetuximab and Bevacizumab alone or in combination with fixed-dose rate Gemcitabine as First-Line therapy of patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas." It is being offered at a number of sites around the country, including Atlanta. I found this information on the website of Pancreatica, http://www.pancreatica.org . Pancreatica is an organization funded by the Lorenzen Cancer Foundation.

I also found three other trials offered by the National Cancer Institute. You can find information about these at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/pancreatic-cancer-updates

I provide this for informational purposes only. I do not mean to endorse any of these study or the organizations doing the studies. Furthermore, I encourage you to consult your father own medical team. These may not even be the studies in which he will be a participant.

My best wishes.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

catalina

Be VERY careful, Dr. Vickers was my husband's DR. at UAB in Birmingham
one big mess from the start. Was never honest about his condition,

Catalina
Cullman, Al

Keith · Regular Joined: 30 Aug 2007 Posts: 13

Deenie, the odds of survival are so low that you must prepare yourself for the worst. Suffering can transform you all into a deeper relationship with God. I don't mean to quit fighting. Quite the contrary. My wife beat the odds for a year. But in the end, it is what it is and what peace you find is greatest during the struggle.

deenie · New User Joined: 30 Nov 2007 Posts: 9

I appreciate everyone's responses; I really do. I know the odds are against him but I also know people can survive beyond the statistics. My dad's spreading places are the size of a dime and we feel good that he can fight this. He may not live 20 more years but I have to believe he can fight this; if not I might as well give up too.

Big Sister · Experienced user Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Posts: 68

Deenie -- Good luck in your determination to help your dad.

Good luck to your dad as well.

We are all with you in this struggle and will continue to be with you as you travel down this strange road. We will also be with you no matter what happens; strangers here found me during my time of need and made all the difference.

Perhaps the diagnosis was a mistake. Perhaps your doctors are quacks. Perhaps they read someone else's chart. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps...

No matter what the outcome, don't forget to enjoy your dad as you work to helping him get clear. Each hour, each day are very important to both of you. Talk about tomorrows instead of symptoms. Talk about spring, not stents. Talk about the future and your plans for it. Ask his opinion on things that have always perplexed you, on decisions that you must make for your life. And if he doesn't rally, ask him how to cope. He will tell you. Now is the time.

Then ask him how you can help make his journey easier. He will need that from you.

Fondly, Big Sister

hwh1 · New User Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 6

Deenie,
My dad passed away Oct,2007. He was diagnosed in August, 2007.
The disease was very aggressive that it brought him down within 2 mths, afterall he was healthy and strong before this. I did not expect the disease is so aggressive though I know it is. Because no way for us to measure it. Like most people said, we would not know the timeline, but value the precious time that you had now. If you are not married, maybe you can consider doing so.

Regards
Mac

John1427 · New User Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 4

My dad recently found out he has PC. Was wondering how your Dad was doing?

God Bless,
John1427

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