Pancreatic cancer

My husband was told in October 2012 that he had pancreatic cancer IV that spread to his liver. First treatment began on November 1, 2012-- flourouracil (Adrucil) IV_ 860 mg in first delivery and later in day 5,100 mg in second delivery, Irinotecan (Camptosar) IV_ 380 mg, leucovorin (Wellcovorin) IV_860 mg, exaliplatin (Eloxatin) IV 180 mg. Treatments were every two weeks until july 2013. Then it was every three weeks and gradual drop in some of the meds--flourouracil IV_was the same, irinotecan _260 mg, leucovorin IV_was same, oxaliplatin IV_100mg. Oncologists administers and adjusts each time according to need with over 20 other meds to counter the side effects. When husband began treatment he weighed in at 199 lbs. His cancer marker dropped to 18 in September 2013. Then it began to rise in December 2013 to 77. After MRI it was discovered the cancer spead to lymph node behind pancreas and the node doubled in size. Orinially he had a pancreatic tumor the size of 5"x 4"'x2" that shrunk to 2"x1/2" within nine months and originally had 13 spots on liver where there are only 3 in milimeters sizes now. last MRI has shown the pancreatic tumor and liver tumors have not grown, but have not shrunk any more. They also found several small tumors on lungs that he will have a biopsy on in a few weeks because they do not look like the tumors in pancreas becasue they are long and narrow. Because the original chemo did not effect the node and lungs, Abraxane with gemsor was given to replace the first chemo. He has had difficulty with high fevers and fatigue with this new chemo and it was stopped for three weeks although the cancer marker went back to normal after only three treatments in three weeks. Other patients on abraxane have had no problem. Abraxane has only been aproved for pancreatic cancer in November 2013 and is a human blood deriitve. My husband has type B blood. Just maybe his blood type has an adverse effect. He will continue treatment on March 10. Cancer surgeon is considering delivering chemo or radiation seeds directly to organs of concern under surgery. Oncologists is also searching for clinical trial in immunology/biological cancer treatment that has no side effects since it attacks only the cancer cells. We may need to travel, but we do have RV to use. 

Some cancer patients have left other centers in US to come here for treatment. Bon Secours Cancer Institute also accepts Medicare insurance. Cancer Centers of America do not. There are some patients from Canada and other states. If out of state, it only costs $20 per night for private room with bathroom for patient and guest at their center. Check out Dr. Abhishek and Dr. Avital, head of center, on internet.  

amora said:

Hope I can answer your concerns...

My husband was told in October 2012 that he had pancreatic cancer IV that spread to his liver. First treatment began on November 1, 2012-- flourouracil (Adrucil) IV_ 860 mg in first delivery and later in day 5,100 mg in second delivery, Irinotecan (Camptosar) IV_ 380 mg, leucovorin (Wellcovorin) IV_860 mg, exaliplatin (Eloxatin) IV 180 mg. Treatments were every two weeks until july 2013. Then it was every three weeks and gradual drop in some of the meds--flourouracil IV_was the same, irinotecan _260 mg, leucovorin IV_was same, oxaliplatin IV_100mg. Oncologists administers and adjusts each time according to need with over 20 other meds to counter the side effects. When husband began treatment he weighed in at 199 lbs. His cancer marker dropped to 18 in September 2013. Then it began to rise in December 2013 to 77. After MRI it was discovered the cancer spead to lymph node behind pancreas and the node doubled in size. Orinially he had a pancreatic tumor the size of 5"x 4"'x2" that shrunk to 2"x1/2" within nine months and originally had 13 spots on liver where there are only 3 in milimeters sizes now. last MRI has shown the pancreatic tumor and liver tumors have not grown, but have not shrunk any more. They also found several small tumors on lungs that he will have a biopsy on in a few weeks because they do not look like the tumors in pancreas becasue they are long and narrow. Because the original chemo did not effect the node and lungs, Abraxane with gemsor was given to replace the first chemo. He has had difficulty with high fevers and fatigue with this new chemo and it was stopped for three weeks although the cancer marker went back to normal after only three treatments in three weeks. Other patients on abraxane have had no problem. Abraxane has only been aproved for pancreatic cancer in November 2013 and is a human blood deriitve. My husband has type B blood. Just maybe his blood type has an adverse effect. He will continue treatment on March 10. Cancer surgeon is considering delivering chemo or radiation seeds directly to organs of concern under surgery. Oncologists is also searching for clinical trial in immunology/biological cancer treatment that has no side effects since it attacks only the cancer cells. We may need to travel, but we do have RV to use. 

Some cancer patients have left other centers in US to come here for treatment. Bon Secours Cancer Institute also accepts Medicare insurance. Cancer Centers of America do not. There are some patients from Canada and other states. If out of state, it only costs $20 per night for private room with bathroom for patient and guest at their center. Check out Dr. Abhishek and Dr. Avital, head of center, on internet.  

Someone asked my husband, "If you had unlimited back account, where would you go for chemo?" He answered, "God sent me here. Why would I change? I would only buy a house closer to the center. We travel 72 miles each way. The first doctor we went to told my husband in October 2012 that he had only 3 months to live. We were called by these doctors for a consultation. When they offered to take my husband as a patient they told him it would be a rough journey. My husband said, "Christ gave me a door to go through and carry my cross. If I do not go through that door it would be as if i committed suicide. Maybe i can help a child to have a better life with my journey." One doctor said to my husband that my husband has the faith and he has the science. The surgeon said, " I have the skills from God." Both doctors believe it is the faith that keeps my husband going. One is even doing research on faith in cancer treatment. Also my husband had heart rate problems way before he was diagnosed with cancer. This past June he had a heartpace maker put in. Years ago it would have been unheard of to have a pacemaker inserted on a phase IV cancer patient. Science is staying one step ahead of my husband's cancer. My husband eats well usually about 5 days after treatment until next treatmetn. He only lost only 8 pounds since October 2012. But then I do feed him what I deem to be healthy and what he enjoys. He takes vitamins at home and drinks whey protien drinks at least once a day between meals. He has also been able to keep his glucose near normal since his damaged pancreas has determined he is a diabetic 1.  Take each day and enjoy the best you can. Anyone can be that one percent!!!! More and more are joining to make it much higher than 1%. I can name four that I met at the infusion center who are way beyond the first year with pancreatic cancer who came to the center within a month of my husband. My husband was the first patient at the center which began in September 2012.

 

This is the first time I have posted on this site. I have no idea where to go to correct spelling. So please forgive spelling. God Bless!

Bless your heart, 

I would like to read more updates from you. My husband Pierre was diagnosed April 24, 2014. Pancreatic cancer, no metastasis so far but tumor 5 inches in size. Started chemo on May 23, 2014 with Folfirinox (one day at hospital, +1 day 1/2 with bottle resembling nursing bottle) + Oxaliplatin, Irinotecan, Leucovorin and 5-Fluorouracil.  Treatment will spread over 6 months.

For the time being, the worst ill effects for Pierre were felt during digestion and elimination processes and of course, for morale. Pierre measures 6 feet 1 inch and went from 170 pounds to 152. Devastating.

I'm not familiar with the 'cancer marker' concept.

Have you ever heard of a patient who had his or her tumour reduced enough to undergo Whipple procedure? 

Keep up the good work

Louise Couture, Victoriaville, Québec, Canada

lcouture said:

thanks!

Bless your heart, 

 

I would like to read more updates from you. My husband Pierre was diagnosed April 24, 2014. Pancreatic cancer, no metastasis so far but tumor 5 inches in size. Started chemo on May 23, 2014 with Folfirinox (one day at hospital, +1 day 1/2 with bottle resembling nursing bottle) + Oxaliplatin, Irinotecan, Leucovorin and 5-Fluorouracil.  Treatment will spread over 6 months.

For the time being, the worst ill effects for Pierre were felt during digestion and elimination processes and of course, for morale. Pierre measures 6 feet 1 inch and went from 170 pounds to 152. Devastating.

I'm not familiar with the 'cancer marker' concept.

Have you ever heard of a patient who had his or her tumour reduced enough to undergo Whipple procedure? 

Keep up the good work

 

Louise Couture, Victoriaville, Québec, Canada

 

Louise,

My wife was diagnosed with PC in August 2012 with an unresectable tumor and lymph node involvement. The surgeon told us it was inperable and that she had a few months at most. The oncologist said she thought there was a chance we could beat this thing. My wife went on Folfirinox and the tumor disappeared. She had the Whipple in November of that year. So yes, it is possible for the tumor to be reduced enough to go for the Whipple.

It has recurred twice since then, so the Whipple isn't the end of the road, but it has given us some more time.

Good luck and God bless.

TeresaB3346 said:

Looking for info - new diagnosis

My Mother was diagnosed last week with Pancreatic Cancer.  We have been given no other information at this time.  She is scheduled to go back to her GP tomorrow.  I live in another state and am wondering what kind of Oncologist does she need to see?  Can someone provide me with that information? 

 

 

TheresaB 3346,

I haven't checked this board much in the last yr. So I appologize for such a late reply.  With that said I'd suggest finding both a surgeon and an oncologist that are specialized in Pancreatic Cancer.   I live in Texas and used Texas Oncology. This was due to the ER Dr. suggesting this to me the day I was diagnosed with pc.  in 2008. 

Will keep your family in my prayers,

Oneshot