Sister with Pancreatic cancer

pulmelia · New User Joined: 25 Aug 2009 Posts: 3

My sister was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer in October of 2008. She just turned 50. It had not spread to distant organs but she could not have surgery because it was wrapped around a artery. Four weeks ago, her hemoglobin dropped to 6 and they discovered through an endoscopic test that the cancer had broke through the pancreas and gone into the stomach. That was the cause of her black stools and low hemoglobin. She started having blood transfusions about every 4 or 5 days. Two weeks ago the bleeding stopped her hemoglobin is normal and her feet are no longer swollen. Is this common? Could she be in remission? Could her stomach start bleeding again? She looks so great, but I am afraid to think that maybe she is better. Thank You in advance to anyone who answers this>

Adagio7780 · Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 8:40 am Post subject: Re: Sister with Pancreatic cancer

pulmelia, did your sister start any treatment for her cancer? The growth of the tumor can often be slowed, and if the cancer hasn't spread at the time of diagnosis there is reason for optimism. Your sister's medical team should be glad to answer your questions. I am sorry to hear of your sisters illness and wish her all the best in her struggle with this disease.
_________________
Man tracht, Got lacht (Man plans, God laughs)

pulmelia · New User Joined: 25 Aug 2009 Posts: 3

Hi, My sister had surgery in November to remove the tumor in the pancreas. The surgery was not successful because when they got in there the tumor had wrapped around the Mesenitic artery. They started her on Radiation and two types of cemo. Nothing seem to effect the tumor. Than her doctor gave her just chemo and tarcevia. Neither of those shrunk the tumor. However we did not think the tumor had grown until they removed her gall bladder. After that she started loosing blood thorough her stools and the went down her throat to look at her stomach through endescope procedure. There they found the tumor had gone though the pancreas into the stomach. That is were the bleeding was coming from. She was getting 2 units of blood every four or five days. Two weeks ago all the bleeding stopped and her feet stopped swelling. Her appetiete is back and her color looks great. She not very tired. I am her primary caretaker so I do not understand what is going on. Is this the calm befor the storm or could she be healed?

georgie430 · Regular Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Posts: 44

Pulmelia

Sorry about your sister's diagnosis. I'm not in the medical profession, but have never seen anyone "just cured of pc in this manner"

When they saw that arteries were involved, were they giving her both
chemo and radiation in the hopes that tumor would shrink and they could
do the operation??

Can I ask were she is being treated?? This is one of the most agressive cancers out there, so please reach out to her medical team for there next
game plan. Also may want to check out ohn Hopkins in Baltimore, they
have an excellent message board.

Best of wishes to your sister and yourselve,

Denise
_________________
"going thru these very rough times have made
me WAKE UP, I know this sounds cliche, but
don't want to go back to sleep" !!!

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Pancreatic Cancer Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others