newbie to all of this

uksgirl
uksgirl Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Caregivers #1
Hello,
I am realitively new to all of this. In March 2010, my 78 year old uncle was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It started with a huge weight loss and jaundice. They couldn't get a reliable biopsy, the samples were all too bloody and inconclusive. The tumor is about 2-3 cm, it is not vascular and it involves the head of the pancreas. His CA19-9 was 578 which is high but I do not know where all of this stands in relation to staging. He has not been staged by the oncologist because all of his testing came back inconclusive but that "if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, then it must be a duck" to quote his oncologist. The oncologist decided that he wasnt a good candidate for the Whipple and decided that he would have six days a week,for six weeks of 5 FU chemo treatments and radiation. Last week he just had the scans and tests to follow up on the treatments and we were told the tumor hasnt changed but that it hadnt spread and that the two lymph nodes that appeared to have been affected are no longer affected. I guess my question is what is next, the oncologist seems evasive on prognosis. My uncle was/is a very active man and lives alone. He never married and has always been a third parent to me. He is independent but will allow me to help to some extent. The biggest help he will allow is for me to understand what is going on and help him to understand. I have always worked in the health care industry but this is uncharted waters for me, I could use some advice, information anything to help my uncle.
Thanks to all for you time

Comments

  • Pennymac02
    Pennymac02 Member Posts: 332 Member
    You're in the right place
    I'm glad you've found this site. There's tons of information, places to vent, and information on specific cancers as well as tons of support. My husband got his diagnosis of liver cancer at the end of July (Has it only been that long?)and I've found a lot of help here. Welcome.