islet cell pancreatic cancer

irvingkay1
irvingkay1 Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Rare and Other Cancers #1
I have been diagnosed with islet cell cancer of the pancreas. Tomorrow, I'll be meeting with the oncologist to determine the type of treatment.

I was told at my first appointment that the general procedure for this is resecting the pancreas and removing the spleen.

My concern with surgery relates to its risks for one older than 70, with epilepsy, tuberous sclerosis on the brain, migraine headaches, osteoarthritis of all joints, osteopenia, and emphysema---how can I judge if Chemo will accomplish the same goal, but let me lead my life one day at a time in my senior residence and without any family?

Comments

  • beckyracn
    beckyracn Member Posts: 322
    #2
    irvingkay,
    Reading your list
    irvingkay,
    Reading your list made my heart break. It sounds as if you really have your hands full. Talking with your oncologist is where you'll get your best answers. Everyone reacts differently to the treatments...so they never give a definitive answer. I hope someone here has more answers for you. You'll be in my thoughts through your journey. Keep posting.
  • irvingkay1
    irvingkay1 Member Posts: 2
    #3
    beckyracn said:

    irvingkay,
    Reading your list
    irvingkay,
    Reading your list made my heart break. It sounds as if you really have your hands full. Talking with your oncologist is where you'll get your best answers. Everyone reacts differently to the treatments...so they never give a definitive answer. I hope someone here has more answers for you. You'll be in my thoughts through your journey. Keep posting.

    pancreatic cancer post
    Thank you for your kind thoughts and comment. Fortunately, I've lived all my life with neurological problems and changes that caused doctors to even say "I wouldn't live two years longer than 1979." Yet, in my earlier years with epilepsy, I studied at Stanford Universities Doctors Library for nearly 150 hours on all facets that epilepsy and neurology could affect or be affected by, including medicines used. I did that in my junior year of high school when I couldn't participate with others.

    That information I've been fortunate to keep handy over the years, as it was able to turn my entire life around toward the success I've had. Those things are helpful; but the cancer and type are like a new horizon "of which I seek the fullest knowledge and understanding of; so as to hopefully eliminate excess psychological depression, frustration, or anxiety, which could impair the neurological stability I've attained."

    Any further information I can attain or be directed too will be appreciated. Also, today, I completed my 5th. radiation therapy session and have 30 to go.

    Thanks again, Kay
  • beckyracn
    beckyracn Member Posts: 322
    #4
    irvingkay1 said:

    pancreatic cancer post
    Thank you for your kind thoughts and comment. Fortunately, I've lived all my life with neurological problems and changes that caused doctors to even say "I wouldn't live two years longer than 1979." Yet, in my earlier years with epilepsy, I studied at Stanford Universities Doctors Library for nearly 150 hours on all facets that epilepsy and neurology could affect or be affected by, including medicines used. I did that in my junior year of high school when I couldn't participate with others.

    That information I've been fortunate to keep handy over the years, as it was able to turn my entire life around toward the success I've had. Those things are helpful; but the cancer and type are like a new horizon "of which I seek the fullest knowledge and understanding of; so as to hopefully eliminate excess psychological depression, frustration, or anxiety, which could impair the neurological stability I've attained."

    Any further information I can attain or be directed too will be appreciated. Also, today, I completed my 5th. radiation therapy session and have 30 to go.

    Thanks again, Kay

    Kay,
    It sounds like you have
    Kay,
    It sounds like you have had one heck of a struggle throughout your lifetime, but you've dealt with it amazingly. I have the utmost respect for you and hope that you find all the answers your looking for. My thoughts are with you as you count down each and every radiation treatment. YOU GO GIRL!!!
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #5
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

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