islet cell pancreatic cancer

irvingkay1

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?

beckyracn

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

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

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!!!

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