I'm new here

nammy · New User Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Posts: 5

Hi all,
I’ve been doing some research on PC because my mother-in-law found out last week this is what she has. It was a surprise for all. The Doc said there is nothing to do. Inoperable and it’s too late for any kind of treatment. Months to live! The Doc didn't say what stage she is in and no one asked, so I'm assuming the cancer must be in other parts of the body as well.

Here’s my first question, sometime she’s been getting lumps in her veins. It seams to be moving around. I’m assuming this is blood clots forming and dissolving?

I just found this forum so I'll be doing a bit of reading.

freeio · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 8:21 am Post subject: blod clots

I was told at my last appointment with Dr. James Posey (Kirklin Clinic, Birmingham, Alabama) that pancreatic cancer has a potential side effect of causing blood clotting issues. In my case, I have developed thrombosis yet again, and it is being treated with Arixtra, which is a modern blood thinner. It does nothing to stop the cancer spread (I have been in stage IV for more than a year now) but it should help reduce the clotting, as it has in the past. So what you describe is apparently unusual.

Also, it is very common to not discover Pancreatic cancer until very late in its progression. It is a silent killer, and the way it spreads is such that the side-effects frequently do not become apparent until it is too late to do much.

My case is a bit peculiar because I have been dealing with PC for three years, which is a very long time in pancreatic cancer time. You might find my pancreatic cancer blog (listed below) to be of some use.

Marty
_________________
-------------------------------------------------
whipple procedure, Oct. 21, 2004
28 days of radiation
56 days of Chemo using Xeloda
diagnosed as progressive recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Stage IV) Jun. 20, 2006
was treated with gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and tarceva, which all failed.
Cancer blog: http://diehlmartin.com/cancer.html

nammy · New User Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Posts: 5

Thanks for the help. Sorry to hear you have cancer too.
I kind of though it was blood clotting issues.
I noticed the whites of her eyes are sometime yellow. The PC must be affecting her liver as well.
I’ll read your blog, thanks again.

freeio · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 10:11 am Post subject: jaundice

The jaundice (yellow eyes) is a very common problem with pancreatic cancer, because sometimes the bile duct (which goes through the pancreas) is blocked, causing the bile to back up into the liver, and causing the liver to produce large amounts of biliruben. If this continues, not only the eyes but also the skin turns yellow, and it itches badly.

I had jaundice as the first symptom nearly three years ago, and it was that which told the doctors that I probably had pancreatic cancer. The symptom was removed through a non-surgical procedure called an ERCP, where they placed a stent in the bile duct to hold it open. That is a temporary measure, but it can help.

Marty
_________________
-------------------------------------------------
whipple procedure, Oct. 21, 2004
28 days of radiation
56 days of Chemo using Xeloda
diagnosed as progressive recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Stage IV) Jun. 20, 2006
was treated with gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and tarceva, which all failed.
Cancer blog: http://diehlmartin.com/cancer.html

nammy · New User Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Posts: 5

Thank you again.
On a side note;
It's odd to me that there is no treatment for her (Margret) because she doesn’t appear very sick. She still bakes pies, cakes and makes bread like she always done. Some days she feels really tired and she did lose much weight. This last year she’s been working hard to keep her sugar in check, now she must use insulin. The Doc didn’t tell use what stage she’s in, but it must be in the final stages for them to say nothing can be done. I’m assuming without Chemo or Radiation we can expect her to fade away fast.

freeio · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 7:45 am Post subject: diabetes

The fairly rapid onset of diabetes can be a leading indicator of PC. The reason is because, as the pancreas is being eaten up by the cancer, its insulin production capability drops. Many are the PC cases which have been treated initially as "merely" diabetes, because diabetes is relatively common, and because there are frequently no other major signs of something else wrong.

I am in stage IV, and have been for more than a year, and with the treatment I have been able to do much of what I could before, but not as much of it. Last Sunday my family trio sang in church, and if the music minister had not mentioned it, no one would have thought about the fact I have PC. I still work most of full time as an engineer, and help in my wife's photography business. On the other hand, my bed time is earlier than any self-respecting ten-year-old, because I tire really easily.

This can continue sometimes until something major goes wrong (liver functions quits, digestion failure, or similar) and then from there it can be a very rough and nasty downhill run. So enjoy her company, and smile at her a lot, while she feels well enough to continue.

Marty
_________________
-------------------------------------------------
whipple procedure, Oct. 21, 2004
28 days of radiation
56 days of Chemo using Xeloda
diagnosed as progressive recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Stage IV) Jun. 20, 2006
was treated with gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and tarceva, which all failed.
Cancer blog: http://diehlmartin.com/cancer.html

nammy · New User Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Posts: 5

Thanks again Marty,
I'm guessing the cancer must have spread everywhere for them not to offer/recommend any treatment.

Cassiel240 · Regular Joined: 13 Dec 2006 Posts: 12

Hi nammy,
I'm really sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. My mom was diagnosed with PC on December 7, 2006, and we are probably within weeks of losing her right now. Marty is right - enjoy the time you have with her right now, and don't waste any by worrying about how much of it you will get. The only thing I am sorry about in our case is how much we worried about how little time we would have. As you can see, it turned out we had about 9 months, several of which were really high-quality. I get the idea it's an unpredictable kind of cancer, though the life-expectancy is usually pretty short, but the extent to which it affects quality of life seems highly variable. Our friend Patrick who died of the same thing was hiking and going on a cruise in his last months.
The doctors have decided that even palliative chemo wouldn't be helpful? For our mom, we think this might have extended her life a bit, though she was only able to do it for about 7 weeks. At the very least it can make PC patients more comfortable, as it keeps certain symptoms in check. I would highly recommend second opinions: my mom's first doctor wasn't that knowledgeable and we were glad to have gone to Oregon Health Sciences University, which is the specialist's hub in our region.
Peace,
Cassiel
_________________
There's a crack in everything - that's how the light gets in. - Leonard Cohen

nammy · New User Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Posts: 5

Cassiel,
Thanks for the kind words of advice with regards to time, I am Nammy's wife and it is my mother who has PC. I am realizing, as you said, it is about quality and not quantity. My mom will meet an oncologist in September to discuss palliative chemo, the options will be presented. I was hoping you could tell me what the side effects of your mom's chemo were or are? My mom is leaning towards not having the chemo and accept what comes without it. She is afraid the chemo may not be worth the effects it may produce as far as sickness, and recuperation time. Any info you can provide will be more than appreciated. I am trying to learn all that I possibly can; my mom relies on me for guidance and reassurance.

Sincerely wishing you peace and comfort through the days ahead,

Cassiel240 · Regular Joined: 13 Dec 2006 Posts: 12

Actually, her side effects were few. While the gemzar/tarceva combination is unfortunately minimally effective (in the sense that it is not expected to provide a cure, though it was quite effective for us in reducing symptoms), it's also minimally detrimental. She had a little nausea, but compazine (perchlorperazine) was sufficient to resolve it. She had some fatigue, but was still able to do quite a lot. On the other hand, her ascites (the buildup of abdominal fluid which frequently comes with PC) was tremendously reduced, and the growth of the tumors was retarded. I don't know how much it might have extended her time with us; as I said, the 9 months she has held out is more than they told us to expect. I do think it improved her quality of life, however. Likewise wishing you peace, comfort and hope,
Cassiel
(edited for spelling pedantry)
_________________
There's a crack in everything - that's how the light gets in. - Leonard Cohen

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