38 yr old friend told he had 6 months

trivos · New User Joined: 19 Sep 2009 Posts: 1

A friend of mine was just told that they found a mass on the tail of his pancreas and some spots on his liver. He hasn't even been to the oncologist yet, but his family doctor told him that it doesn't look good. My friend told him to just shoot straight with him and the doctor basically told him that he may have 6 months and that he could call hospice. My friend goes to the oncologist on Monday, but of course everyone is researching as much as possible. I'm finding that there isn't a lot of info on cancer found on the tail. I'm looking for any info/advice that anyone has to offer. Is it as hopeless as the doc is making it seem? My friend is such a great man! He as a great wife and beautiful kids that range from ages 2 to 11. TIA
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Trisha

Adagio7780

I'm sorry to hear about your friend and also that I don't have any information specific to cancer in the tail of the pancreas. I can relate to the 'six months' diagnosis, however. I was scheduled for a distal pancreatectomy in early Jan 2009. After a preliminary scope showed that the cancer had indeed spread, the procedure was halted. While I was in recovery, the doctor came out and told my family that I would probably live six months. What he didn't add was that that was without treatment of any kind. That was Jan, it is now September. I am still terminal, but have been in treatment since February, gemcitabine primarily, and am still kicking pretty hard. (I live in SC but am writing this towards the end of a two-week vacation around the NW, presently in, of all places, Ely, NV.)

So don't give up hope for the near-future, there is a lot yet to learn about your friend's condition. I hope you will keep us posted. (You can see my story at 'Hi All, Never thought I'd be here'.

Good luck to your friend.
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Man tracht, Got lacht (Man plans, God laughs)

tysydkee · New User Joined: 30 Aug 2009 Posts: 2

Hi, My mom who is 68 was diagnosed in Aug, of 08 with pancreatic cancer that spread to liver. She was told she has 4 months. She is still around and doing fairly well. She did a few rounds of Gem and tarceva. She is now on a new chemo which she is not responding to. But the point is there is hope!! She has had no real pain but us very tired. Please tell your friend to fight!! Good luck, Joelle

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