Metstatic Pancreatic Cancer - Please Help

Nickg

Thank you so much in advance for all who take the time to read this.

My mother was diagnosed with Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer this week. We don't know the full extent of it yet, but it has spread into her liver and stomach. Her 19-9 is at about 7K. She has no pain whatsoever, and she hasn't even been tired lately. She has had slight shortness of breath, but nothing that has even slowed her down.

Is there any resource for finding out the best hospitals or treatment centers for this kind of cancer?

She lives outside Boston, so we are looking into the best hospitals there. However, her only grandson (my son) is with me in Los Angeles, and we have another on the way, due in January. We always talked about her moving to L.A. to be with us, thinking there was plenty time... I'm just barely getting through typing this, but I am assuming we need to find a hospital near L.A., because I don't know how much time we have.

Does anyone know the best hospitals for metastatic pancreatic cancer? I am a cancer survivor (gastric), and I unfortunately learned very clearly during my battle that independent research is much better than listening to what you are told by the doctors.

Please help. We don't know what to do. And again, thank you... I am so sorry for all of you that have had to live through this. I am so so sorry.

Nick

brainman

Nick, I am truly sorry about your mother's cancer. Pancreatic Cancer is one of the hardest to treat so definitely, if you can, get her to a major medical center. I do not know of any that are particularly better than the rest for Pancreatic Cancer treatment. However, there are any number of excellent locations both in and around Boston or in California. Not knowing anything about your family other than what you wrote in your post, it does sound like your mother should move to California where she can be closer to you. But that is not an easy decision. She does not just need the best medical center she can find. She will have to leave her home, other family members, and friends in Boston right at the time when she will need the best support system she can find.

Has your mother had a biopsy and other staging workup tests done already? If so, what stage is it? You say that it has metastasized? To what other organ(s)?

You and your mother are in my thoughts and prayers.
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skychief · New User Joined: 17 Oct 2007 Posts: 5

I have a twin brother who was diagagnosed in April and has had 5 months of Chemo. The scan last week showed continued growth of the cancer. His doctor told him he didn't have much hope for continued treatment. Much research has revealed a clinical trial by a Dr Fine of Sloan-Kettering which has had amazing results using the GTX protocal. My brother has requested this treatment in spite of his doctors discouragement. Our family is hopeful.

Lya2000 · New User Joined: 18 Oct 2007 Posts: 1

Sorry to read about your mother. I lost my mother back in April due to pancreatic cancer. I would definitely move her with me, if I were you. This cancer has a tendency to come like a "thief in the night." My mother never had a chance. She didn't even feel sick until January...they thought she had the flu, she was diagnosed in February, started chemo in March and died in April. I moved back home to take care of her and was totally shocked about how fast it went. She never had any pain until her final month. Take her to the best doctors and hospitals you can find. Check out the Cancer Treatment Centers. I wish I had known about them for my mother.

Good Luck and Blessings,

Lya

4VGA · Regular Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 13

Check with http://pancan.org they are located in cal. Also, they have a large amount of information about this cancer....best of luck

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