New Diagnosis

trashmedic · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:47 pm Post subject: New Diagnosis

While the diagnosis is not 100% official yet, there is little room for question. My father just had a mass found on the head of his pancreas, 3-3.5 cm in size, with several (5) masses in the liver, each 1-1.5 cm. His Commen Bile Duct was occluded and he was admitted to the hospital last Thursday (10JAN08) and a liver biopsy was performed the next day, as well as a stent placment in the CBD. After two days, the bilirubin levels were not dropping, so he was MRI'd, and they found that the stent was working; they could see bile draining into the Duodenum. So, he was discharged on Sunday, and has to have bloodwork done Wednesday (tomorrow) to make sure the bilirubin is dropping. Short of that, we are waiting on the pathology report to return for the final diagnosis on the liver cells.

My father is 65 years of age, and has always been a healthy person, physically fit for his job, and very health conscious. He had a Carcinoma removed from his back 4-5 years ago, and has had no recurrence of this. His gall bladder was removed 18 months ago, and THERE WERE NO MASSES IN THE PANCREAS OR LIVER AT THAT TIME.

There is an outside chance that the pathology might show that masses in the liver to be of carcinoma origin, and that would be good. Then he could have a Whipple Procedure (minus the GB) and would have a MUCH better chance at this.

The oncological surgeon at UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) has already told my father that if the liver biopsy comes back as metastic, there will be no resection of the pancreas. Apparently, I am finding out, this is a pretty hard and fast rule in the PC world.

So it seems that there is little to do beyond the chemotherapy route.

Unfortunately, I am a paramedic by trade, and I have seen the outcome of this disease all too often.

brainman · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:00 am Post subject: Re: New Diagnosis

I am so sorry about your father's probable cancer. I know that Pancreatic Cancer is one of the worst cancers. However, I also know a lot of individuals who have survived of several years. They needed aggressive therapy and part of that time surely cannot be said to have been fun. However, they did have times on good quality life.

Your father is in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

trashmedic · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:49 am Post subject: Re: New Diagnosis

Well, time for a little update I suppose.

It has been one month since the preliminary diagnosis. Dad has signed on to participate in a study at The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The study will focus on the use of Zykerb, which apparently has seen good results in colon, breast and lung cancer.

Unfortunately, dad has not started the chemo yet because his bilirubin is still too high. As of yesterday it was still 2.6. Which was down from 3.5 the previous Friday. They will try again next Wednesday.

Dad has ben having some significant pain, and the medications are only covering part of that right now. The medications are also making him constipated. He's not eating very well, and has lost ~18 lbs so far. A pre-trial CAT scan showed that the mass on the head of the pancreas has not changed, and he does not have any masses in his lungs yet. But one of the masses in his liver has increased from ~1.5 cm to ~4.5 cm in just five weeks.

I'm going to look at cemetary plots this afternoon, at my father's request.

prettyinpink · Regular Joined: 07 Feb 2008 Posts: 10

I am so sorry to hear about your fathers complications. It is so hard to accept the diagnosis of cancer and then have to postpone treatment. Your father is lucky to have a son like you to help him during this time of need. My prayers are with you and your family. Thank you for posting the follow-up.
Takecare,
Janice

trashmedic · Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:47 am Post subject: Re: New Diagnosis

Brainman/Prettyinpink-

Thank you for the kind words & support.

All-

Dad finally started chemo yesterday. His bilirubin is down to 2.0 which UPMC uses as the upper limit for chemo treatment. I talked to him last night after he got home and he was in pretty good spirits, and was loaded up on pain and anti-nausea meds.

I'm headed to Pittsburgh this afternoon with my wife and child, we'll be out there for the weekend.

trashmedic · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:43 pm Post subject: Re: New Diagnosis

So, here's the latest on my dad. Since it's been two months from my last writing, there is a lot to cover.

Dad tried the Zykerb study for two weeks. He was so incredibly nauseous that he could not tolerate it. So he withdrew from the study. (Interestingly, UPMC shut the study down the following week.) Dad completed the initial 8 weeks of chemo, intravenous Gemcetabine(sp?), and last week had a whole new set of scans.

During the eight weeks, we thought things we going well, dad was up and about, eating well, and actually put about ten pounds back on.

The results from the scans came last Thursday, and there was bad news. The tumor on the pancreas has not changed. But the tumors in the liver have grown and multiplied. Ther original tumors are not upwards of 5cm each, and there are at least three new tumors, 1-2cm each.

UPMC is no longer treating my father with chemo. He has moved on to palliative care only.

I talked to mother this evening, and she said it was a bad day. Dad has been stedily losing weight again, and he did not even get out of bed today. He only ate a small bowl of Cherioos for breakfast, and nothing else for the rest of the day. His urine is very dark, probably concentrated due to dehydration. And mom thinks that his lucid state is waning.

I'm going out again his weekend, my 5th trip in 12 weeks.

brainman · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:53 pm Post subject: Re: New Diagnosis

trashmedic, I am very sorry that chemo did not work for your father. I do wish you could be with him more.

Your and your father are still in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

ksplat · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 4:27 pm Post subject: Re: New Diagnosis

Dear Trashmedic

I too am very sorry to hear about your Father's decline. Please know my prayers & thoughts are with you.

The Palliative care team will ensure your Father is well cared for & manage the side effects of this terrible disease.

Thinking of you, Angie.
_________________
Brother diagnosed with GBMIV Feb 07
Treatment: Radiotherapy, Temodal, Gliadel Wafers, Dexamethasone, Keppra, Dilantin, Clexane
Went to our Heavenly Father after a 19mth battle,, 47 years young.
23 Sep 2008
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=19227

"Without Faith We Have Nothing"

Queensland Girl · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:26 am Post subject: Re: New Diagnosis

Hello Trashmedic,

I'm sorry to read of your Father's rapid deterioration. There are echoes of my own Fathers passing unfortunately. All I can suggest is to remain strong and supportive of both your Dad and your Mum. Also remember to look after yourself as well. This is going to be a tough time for you all and I feel for you.

I am thinking of you during this terrible time.

Regards,

Queensland Girl

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