Mom has pancreatic cancer!

MommaBoy · New User Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 3

Well, i didn't know how bad pancreatic cancer was until my mom was diagnosed with it. I hope all who goes through this desease recover and matain a high quality of life.

Well on to my mom story, she was diagnose in January '08, doctor told me it looks receptable, they said the cancer looks like it was 2 cm so they'll remove a 2 by 2 piece. From reading all the post here about this cancer most people gets chemo to try to shrink the cancer, but my mom doctor said she was too weak and was malnutrition, what they did was gave her nutrient through IV injection to try to get her strong enough for surgery.

A little background of my mom: She's about 4'11" tall, Laotion (asian), age 56. So her health was weak because older generation of southeast asians do not eat healthy food as in the western world. Came to america during the vietnam war after caommunist takeover.

Anyways, she had her whipple on January 23, 08. During the surgery doctor said they encounter a problem with the colon and removed part of the colon to send to pathologist to examine. Well, after surgery she was sent to ICU and they day after surgery she was awake and aware but in pain. Two days later, after post surgery, she develop SCAM and her lungs colapse, had to put in two chest tube to drain both lung cavity. She is ona ventilator now to help her breath. Doc said she's getting stronger with her breathing and not relying on the ventilator much.

Well 2 weeks has past and her lung x-ray shows that it is still looking bad, but doctors said it's a day by day prognosis with the pmnemonia but overall she has improve on her breathing.

Today, I went to see her, one of the nurse told me they are bring her to the first floor to do a CT scan and said that they are concern because the liquid in her dainage from surgery change colored, it went from like a clear color to all yellow which shocked me. Anyways they are worried it may be a leak or another infection.

Going back to her surgery doctor came to tell me that they removed some of her colon because it was sticking and in the way of the pancrease, and found out a week later that it is cancerous, so now they think it has spread.

What I don't understand is that they told me that once she is opened up and they suspect anything they would do a bypass, which they didn't.

Sorry, my grammer is not great, hopefully you all can unerstand it.

Well, i'm torn inside because it has spread. Before surgery the doctor said it looks to be localized and won't know until she has been open. If they find sign that it has spread the'll bypass and close her up.. The surgery went on and now she is recovering and is going through hell with her pmnemonia which I found out today (3 weeks later) that 40% of this sickness die and they were happy she was not of that percentage. Why didn't they tell me this beforehand?

She looks very weak and can barely stay awake, I'm not certain the doctor are giving all of the information about her status. I'm so mad because my mom trust my judgement and I believe, I made the wrong decision by giving the doctors to thumbs up with the whipple.

They said if she starts recovering she will have about 18 months, but I'm not sure i believe them, now with SCAM and now a possible leak/infection issue, her chance has drop lower than ever.

anyways.. i just needed to share this with anyone willing to read.

Thanks for all your time.

izzabella · New User Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 8

I'm so sorry about your mother. All I can tell you is that if at some point your mother is off of the ventilator you may want to talk to her about what she wants to do and what measures she wants taken to keep her alive. My mother was diagnosed at the end of Dec 07 and although it hadn't spread she had a very weak heart and it was her heart that took her from us last week. I can tell you though that I am so grateful she did not have to suffer the effects of the cancer. Unfortunately I had to be the one to decide to revive her or not as I was at the hospital when it happened. At first I said yes and after a few minutes of trying I told them to stop. I knew in my heart it was what she would have wanted and we had talked about it before hand. Do whatever you can to minimize your mothers pain and certainly ask another specialist their opinion. I've been where you are and I know how heartbreaking these decisions can be. My heart goes out to you and your family and don't be afraid to ask other dr's there opinion.

God bless, Izzabella

MommaBoy · New User Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 3

Well it's been a long time since I've visited this forum.

Mom recovered from her whipple and some few side effect from the surgery.

I moved her down to Florida from Minnesotta, hoping the warm weather and sunny days would help her out. She loved it down here, when she gained alittle energy, she went out to the backyard and started gardening vegetables and fruit trees.

Well, my mom just recently lost her fight against this disease on 09/14/2008. She past away peacefully it seemed.

I truly believed she had lived the best 6 month of her life while she was with me. I don't think there was a day that past by that she didn't have a smile on her face and a positive attitude that went with taht beautiful smile.

She will be MISSED, by all her relatives, especially by ME!

My heart and prayers goes out to all those that are going through this tough times.

Thank you all!!!

brainman · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:03 pm Post subject: Re: Mom has pancreatic cancer!

MommaBoy, heart goes out to you. I am so sorry about your mother's death. It does sound like she had a great quality if not quantity of life thanks in no small part to you.

You are 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/

Queensland Girl · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 9:06 pm Post subject: Re: Mom has pancreatic cancer!

Hello,

I am so sorry to read about your Mom.

I know that things seem very hard now, but over time it will get easier. I have lost both my parents to this disease and understand some of the pain you feel. Now I can look back at our time together and remember the good parts.

From what you have written. it sounds like your Mom had peace for her last six months, and I admire you for having been able to do that for her.

Your are in my thoughts.
_________________
Regards,

Queensland Girl

Mum diagnosed June 1993, surgery and chemo died August 1993 (Pancreatic Cancer)
Dad diagnosed July 2007, chemo only died January 2008 (Pancreatic Cancer)

MommaBoy · New User Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 3

Thank you brainman and Queensland Girl,

Yes, my mom chose quality of life over quantity and that is why she chose not to do chemo therapy. Her last six months, she lived life to the fullest with no regrets other than having to leave me and my brother so soon.

My prayers are with those patients and their family members fighting this disease.

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