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audib
Regular
Joined: 29 Jun 2007
Posts: 19
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 Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 6:19 pm Post subject: prognosis |
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| I was just wondering, does anyone beat this type of cancer? I have read about the high mortality rate and I assume part of this is because by the time it is discovered, it is often too advanced. But, some cancers respond well to chemo and radiation and many survive-prostate cancer, breast cancer falls into this category. But, when it comes to pancreatic cancer, all I hear of is poor survival rate and short life spans. I was just wondering if people do beat this horrible thing and if so, how? Is it the stage, size, being able to have surgery? What can someone do to fight this thing? My Father in law was diagnosed in May and they are saying he is a candidate for surgery if they can shrink his tumor-he is currently on chemo and radiation for another 2 months. He is under the impression, with surgery he will live many years to come. He also feels that if he is unable to have surgery, perhaps he can go for monthly chemo infusins to keep the tumor from growing. Everything I read says this is not so, but I want to remain optimistic. So, do people survive this horrible cancer and in general for how long and what can someone do to improve their chances? |
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Wunderchu
Regular
Joined: 21 Feb 2007
Posts: 29
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brainman
Chief Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 4291
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 12:32 pm Post subject: Re: prognosis |
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Hi, I feel that I must let others know that the first link as a pop-up that my corporate grade firewall blocked and I did not check it to see what it was. It was probably a harmless ad of some sort. But it is there. The main page is good.
The second link is clear.
Audib, the prognosis very much depends on the stage of the cancer and how aggressive your father in law is with his treatments. Just a couple of weeks ago, a long time member of this group died of Pancreatic Cancer, 3 years after being diagnosed with stage IV PC. He was a man of great courage, faith, and strength. Here is are a couple of links to his story:
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=6939
http://diehlmartin.com/cancer.html
I am not sure if his website is still available but it is the most complete source of information about his experience with this terrible cancer. I truly hope his story will be a source of inspiration to you and to many others for many years to come.
_________________
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/ |
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audib
Regular
Joined: 29 Jun 2007
Posts: 19
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| Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 5:11 pm Post subject: Re: prognosis |
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| I have been lurking here since my father in law's diagnosis and have read Marty's blog site daily. I was so sad to hear of his passing and really appreciated all the info he passed on to explain so much about this horrible disease. But, even he only lived 3 more years past his diagnosis and there was side effects etc from his treatment. I once asked him if he thought all he went through was worth it and he felt it was. However, its a personal decision. If I was going through this and knew that all I had to go through might only extend my life 3 months to 2 years, I am not sure if i would go through it or put my loved ones through it. It is a very personal decision. But what I was asking is does anyone beat this? Even Wunder sent a site of cancer survivors and many of them were dated from 2005. There were a few from the 90's writing about their situations, but I am not even sure if these people are still with us. So, I was wondering, are there survivors from this that are 5-10 years cancer free? I neve hear of these stories with pancreatic cancer and was wondering why. Some cancers have very good survival rates-does pancreatic have some long term success stories and if not, why? I am just trying to understand this disease better so as a family we can determine how much my father in law should go through and how much we should put my mother in law through. |
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SPENCER1958
Regular
Joined: 11 Oct 2007
Posts: 12
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| Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 10:42 pm Post subject: Hi |
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My mother who is 65 has been loosing weight since last summer and was diagnosed at the time with diabetes (05/07). However, she kept loosing the weight and her Doctor would send her to an Endocrinologist and more test and test. Now its September the Doctors suspect that she has pancreatic cancer 9/07 with an MRI test (prior to this they were thinking uncontrollable sugar). Mom recently had a liver test (2wks ago) which turned out great, not sure if that is good or bad????? Than this past Friday she had the biopsy of the pancreas which turned out positive. Next, we see her Oncologist on Tuesday. Not sure what to ask, any ideas?????
Symptoms that my mom has right now: Abdominal pain, back pain, oh gosh the weight loss is killing me to see her like that, now at 90lbs. Believe me she has an appetite, no jaundice yet but they keep talking about putting a stint in her soon???? Not sure what is up with that….
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Audib, I had a co-worker who said his father had pancreatic cancer 10 years ago and he was still living today that he went through the whipple surgery. Yes, I am also checking out survivors but how long have they survived? I keep hearing depending where the cancer is at and if they catch it early you may have a blessing on your hand…… Not sure if I have that with my mother and only hope I do because I am not giving up and she really does have a strong attitude. Not sure if her cancer is curable but if she is willing to give it all than I am too…. It may only give x amount more years to live but that is better than nothing. As a caregiver it really bites the big one, I am really having a hard time and wish my brother would get more involved.
I would love to know everyone is going through of symptoms. |
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wannaknow
Regular
Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 2:13 pm Post subject: Battling vs Beating |
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Audib: As others have mentioned, timing is everything. Pancreatic cancer is very sneaky & I'm not sure many doctors think about it when gastric symptoms appear. At least with my Mom. they did not. Luckily it did not go much longer because at least the tumor was contained within the pancreas. So if caught earlier, your extended survival & quality of life has a higher probablility. So with 25% of her pancreas left, it gives her something to work with.......her blood sugar has stayed within reasonable limits w/o insulin. Now it's just gaining the weight back that she lost. I'm concerned about the upcoming Radiation & Chemo - side effects mostly........so is she but not doing it will change the risk probablility.
S1958: A few questions to ask the Drs.
1) How big is the Pancreas tumor?..get a copy of the MRI test - radiologist report.....Is it contained completely inside the Pancreas?
2) Where is it located?.......... Does it involve the tail, body or head of the Pancreas?
3) Is it Operable?...........before or after Chemo/Radiation?
4) Treatment alternatives?
I would give you Cancer info links but I've been told that's not allowed for newer members.... |
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