Pancreatic Cancer Survivors

lindamccb said:

survivor of pancreatic cancer
In 2006 it was discovered that I had grapefruit-size pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas(began in the head). A whipple was performed to remove the extremely rare tumor which had spread to my stomach, spleen and ovaries. I did not have to have chemo or radiation because removal of the tumor removed the cancer which was contained inside of it. However, in November, 2008, it was discovered that the original cancer had metastasized to my liver. In December, a liver resection and radiopathy were performed to remove the new tumors. I am doing well, but because this is such an extremely rare type of cancer, and one which can but seldom metastasizes, my oncologist is struggling with a post op course of treatment. Originally he told me that I would have an aggressive course of chemo and possible radiation. Now he has ruled out radiation and is conferring with doctors around the US who may have treated this type of cancer and what they would suggest. The waiting game is tough but at least I am cancer free once again, and the prognosis is very good.
If anyone has information on this type of cancer, experience with treatment of it, I would very much like to hear about it.

Meanwhile, keep your spirits up because there are many survivors out here like me who are pulling for you and have you in our prayers.

Linda Mcc-b

Whipple and tumor on liver

My mom had a similar situation.  Tumor in the bile conduct was removed through a whipple procedure.   One year later, dr. found nodules in the liver.   I am wondering how are you managing.

5 Year plus Pancreatic Cancer Survivor

I am a 61 year old male. I underwent a Whipple surgery in December 2007, after suffering with chronic pancreatitis for 2 years. I had a wonderful team of surgeons, to whom I am forever grateful. They found a 2 cm malignant tumor on the head of the pancreas, removed the head of the pancreas, and told me that they were pretty sure that they had gotten rid everything. My fantastic Oncologist suggested that I have a 4 month cycle of Gemzar Chemotherapy as an insurance policy, and that if the cancer returned, it would return in 2 years. If it did not return, I would be free and clear. I had the chemo treatment, and unfortunately, EXACTLY 2 years later, that cancer had spread to the lungs, and became Stage 4 terminal. I was pretty disheartened, as I thought I had beaten it, but I did not give up hope. This was 3 years ago. I have been in constant chemo - GEMZAR - for the past 3 years, and thus far the cancer has been well controlled and maintained solely in the lungs. Being a 5 year plus pancreatic cancer survivor, I feel very blessed, and very lucky. I changed and introduced a lot of things in my life over this period of time, and would be happy to share this with anyone who is interested in hearing about it. Just this week, I started on a new chemo drug called Abraxane, which has recently shown some excellent results for pancreatic cancer in clinical trials, and has just recently been approved by the the FDA in the USA for pancreatic cancer. (It has been predominantly used over the past several years for Breast cancer.)  I constantly seem to amaze my doctor with my results, and for this reason, if I could help just one other person with my experience, it would be my absolute pleasure, and give me a lot of gratitude - as I feel that we MUSt work as a team!

Bartrip_Devon said:

Pancreatic cancer
I am amazed to read the stories about survival rates for pancreatic cancer.

My husband (47 at time) was diagnosed last year with pancreatic cancer. He was a fit and well man, never had a day off work. He woke up one morning rather yellow, ended up going to the local hospital for a check with on duty doctor who sent him to the main hospital for tests etc. He ended up having about 4 various operations (major one was to re-plumb his insides) - he has a cancerous tumour in his pancreas at the bottom of the bile duct which cannot be operated on as it is too dangerous and near too many major vessels/organs etc.

He was given 6-12 months to live (so bloody unfair as he has a 6 year old daughter). He has (i think) chosen to be bloody minded about it and really got on with his life, he is out every day, even though he cannot work any more, this, i think, is his way of coping with it. He didn't bat an eyelid when Patrick Swayze died of the same thing. He is having chemo and the consultant is absolutely fantastic and so is the specialist nurse, we couldn't wish for anyone better.


Does anybody out there have any stories of survival of more than 6 months?

look up cancer care of

look up cancer care of america,and pancan they have some survivors there,peggy is one i read alot because her doctor only gave her 3 months and she is 10 plus yrs surivor.

gemzar1 said:

Survival and still going strong

5 Year plus Pancreatic Cancer Survivor

I am a 61 year old male. I underwent a Whipple surgery in December 2007, after suffering with chronic pancreatitis for 2 years. I had a wonderful team of surgeons, to whom I am forever grateful. They found a 2 cm malignant tumor on the head of the pancreas, removed the head of the pancreas, and told me that they were pretty sure that they had gotten rid everything. My fantastic Oncologist suggested that I have a 4 month cycle of Gemzar Chemotherapy as an insurance policy, and that if the cancer returned, it would return in 2 years. If it did not return, I would be free and clear. I had the chemo treatment, and unfortunately, EXACTLY 2 years later, that cancer had spread to the lungs, and became Stage 4 terminal. I was pretty disheartened, as I thought I had beaten it, but I did not give up hope. This was 3 years ago. I have been in constant chemo - GEMZAR - for the past 3 years, and thus far the cancer has been well controlled and maintained solely in the lungs. Being a 5 year plus pancreatic cancer survivor, I feel very blessed, and very lucky. I changed and introduced a lot of things in my life over this period of time, and would be happy to share this with anyone who is interested in hearing about it. Just this week, I started on a new chemo drug called Abraxane, which has recently shown some excellent results for pancreatic cancer in clinical trials, and has just recently been approved by the the FDA in the USA for pancreatic cancer. (It has been predominantly used over the past several years for Breast cancer.)  I constantly seem to amaze my doctor with my results, and for this reason, if I could help just one other person with my experience, it would be my absolute pleasure, and give me a lot of gratitude - as I feel that we MUSt work as a team!

Survivor of pancreatic cancer
Hi to all,
I have never posted on a blog site ever before. I was diagnosed with stage 3 pancreatic cancer and borderline resectable 2/14/2011. I received gemzar(16treatments)and radiation(25 treatments) before having my whipple surgery and then chemo (8treatments) again.I have also had incisional hernia surgery 12/2012.I do feel as though I have handled things well thus far....though as time goes on and scans come up I get more nervous. I would so love to hear more in detail what pancreatic survivors have done with their diet since there surgeries.What do you do extra ... if anything?Have long term survivors done alternative treatment besides medical treatments? So interested in more about the long term pancreatic patient....please give more info!
Margaret

liaky30 said:

stage 4 pancreatic cancer
hi,
i just want to say that i have the greatest respect for people that go through this.My father in law was diagnosed 3 weeks ago.they told us that it was just a tumor on his pancreas but then when he had surgery we were told that they could not go through with the surgery becuse the tumor spread to the walls of the stomach and a small stamp on his liver.This is concidered stage 4 right?We have been told that right now the best thing to do is to start thermodynamic therapy combined with chemotherapy.Is there a chance that the cancer cells could go away with this therapy?Do you know if there is a possibility that they could operate on a patient with this prognosis?We still cannot beleive that this is happening.He was the most healthy person i know,never had a cold in his life.He is 50 years old and has so much to live for.Seeing your story has given me so much hope.....

stage 4 pancreatic cancer

Hope everyone is still doing okay.

pancreatic cancer diagnosis and Whipple procedure

My mom was diagnosed in April 2013 of pancreatic cancer. She is 65 years old and was in perfect health. 25 days later she had the Whipple procedure done at University hospital in London, Ontario, Canada. Her symptoms were itchyness, jaundice, tiredness and weightloss 2 weeks prior to diagnosis. Her tumour was 4cm in diameter and located near the duct. This was discovered by an ultrasound that was ordered once her bloodwork came back irregular. 2 days later it was confirmed by a CT scan and she had an appt. with a surgeon the next day. We are wating for pathology results from surrounding tissue to see if she will begin chemo/radiation therapy. She has been in the hospital for 5 days and is doing OK.

I love these stories of survival and will be sharing them with her. Most posts about pancreatic cancer give such horrible stats.

Vinnie8736 said:

stage 4 pancreatic cancer

Hi liaky30,

 

My dad too had stage 4 that spread to liver and close to kidney area as well.  Its tough to see him in pain and I try my best to keep him motivated to fight it and find as much option out there as possible to fight this.  He just doen his 8th Chemo and at first he was getting better but however the scan show it hasn't shrunk much and the liver lesion got bigger so we doing clincial trial now and hope for the best and pray for it.  I assume the post you have is way old just wondering if your dad still around today.

Hi Vinnie,

Hope your dad is doing fine. My mum  just diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. I am trying to find some support here to see what can be done to help her.

 

Any comment or help would be appreciated.

neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma poorly differentiated

I am looking for anyone who has the same diagnosis as me. Neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma of pancreas, poorly differentiated, mets to omentum and liver.

I was treated with chemo and have had clear scans for 10 months now.  I havnt met anyone yet who has the same diagnosis??? Very rare.

jdix said:

I found this site, because I was looking to see if there were any long term survivors of Pancreatic cancer.  My husband was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer and underwent the Whipple procedure on 13th April 2004.  Before the operation and post op he lost about 30kg, but it was weight he needed to lose.  He underwent chemotherapy for about 6 months.

It is now more than 9 years, and he recently had a routine endoscopy and colonoscopy.  All clear.  He eats the same amount he did before the cancer and has maintained his weight all this time.  He works 4 days a week as a mechanic running his own business, and recently gave up golf due to arthritis, but still plays lawn bowls.  His Gastroenterologist calls him his 1% man.

The surgeon who performed the procedure tells him to just keep doing whatever he is doing because he is so healthy and maintaining weight.

I am glad to see there are others who have beaten the odds against this dreadful cancer which has claimed so many and I hope my husbands and other's stories give some measure of hope for ohers who are experiencing the disease right now.

Another good note

jdix,

Glad to hear the good news about your husband. I've been on the site for a lil' while. I was going to post a lil' good news myself for others to see and realize, from time to time more of us are making the 5 yr. mark or better. That is when I saw your post. 

 I know the Dr's always use the date when the person was diagnosed.  But I always saw it as remission started after the cancer was disappearing or removed. So having said that.  I past my 5yr. mark on the 10'th of this month.  I was told when diagnosed with Stage 3 PC.  My prospects were slim to none to make 6mos. With the Whipple,chemo and rads!    And yet here I'm able to post that, I'm still here!  I eat most anything that doesn't bite me first!

Similar to your statement. I have always said "Odds are made to be beat!"  I'm always glad to hear anyone beat any kind of cancer!

Prayers to all who have to fight this desease!

fatt said:

Inoperable Pancreatic Cancer

Hello, could you kindley tell me who your Doctor is? I have a 34 yr old brother who has been diagnosed with advanced (5cmx2cm) but locally confined pancreatic cancer. He is being seen by an oncologist and a surgen at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville TN. They told him that they can not operate on him because of blood vessles involvement. They told him that he should go through Chemo first in hope of shrinking it(only 30% reponse rate). I would like him to get a second opinion before going through with it. I just don't know a very good surgen that he can see.

I glad to hear that you are improving and on your way to recovery. That gives me hope.

Hi

my mom has the same.How is your brother doing today?