My Nan has Pancreatic Cancer

Chris13 · New User Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 5

Hi there, well i don't know really what to say, my nan (83 years old)has pancreatic cancer. She was examined yesterday, with what i think was the "Barium Meal"? and she also had a CT scan. They found a growth on her Pancreas, (i'm not sure what size, i don't think they specified). its been about a month since she started having some stomach cramps, and feeling generally down, along with diahorea. No blood or anything like that, she has thrown up once i think. (I'm just typing this as i remember it lol, i have never done this before).
She came round from christmas and seemed fine (at this point in time we thought it was a hernia, she had been to the doctors after about a week of feeling ill from when this all first started), talking laughing etc, she had some Salmon Mash potato and some veg. She ate all of it which i thought a perk, though she hasn't been eating that much, but what she does, she finishes.
Um she does smoke which probably has something to do with it, though she isn't a heavy smoker, i presume she will need to cut down now Confused

She seems to be feeling slightly better than she did a while back, but after that Barium Meal(yesterday), she felt sick.
She is going to go see a specialist some time next week i believe at Birmingham Hospital, i presume that is when we will be told where we stand.

I am still very worried about my nan, i don't want to lose her to cancer...
Does anyone think we might of caught it fast enough?
I really am praying we have, hopefully in the earlier stages which is when i'm told it has a higher chance of being cured.
Will they put her on some kind of food supplement to help her cope with treatment??
I know she is quite old so it makes recovery and treatment a more delicate process, but ughh i don't know i really just can't believe it.
Any opinions on some of my questions would be appreciated.

Also i am deeply sorry to hear about all of the other cases, some dissheartening to read.
But i stand by what i always think, never give up hope, i told my nan and the rest of my family that.
The best we can do is to stay positive and help my nan throught this.

Well there you go, i said my piece, sorry about it being a bit garbled and out of order, but like i said I was typing it as it came to mind.

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

Usually what happens is the doctors assess if she is a surgical candidate or not. It depends on what they see on CT, and also if she is medically fit to undergo a huge surgical procedure. If she is not a surgical candidate, chemotherapy is usualyl the treatment given.

regards,
Dr Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

Chris13 · New User Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 5

Oh, is chemotherapy usually sucessful in these cases, i mean in curing it?
I know that it is supposed to be a long procedure and in most cases is unpleasant.

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

Unfortunately, chemotherapy is only palliative in these cases. Research in pancreatic cancer still has a long way to go. Some regimens may be more toxic than others, meaning side-effects. But we do take that into consideration before treating anyone.

best regards,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

Chris13 · New User Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 5

Well my nan has had several major operations in the past and come out with absoloutly nothing wrong afterwards, no side effects or anything.
1 was to do with some kind of artery in her neck, and another was a Hysterectomy, these were all done at 75+, so does that improve the chance she can have the operation, i mean i presume it was caught pretty quickly, just over a month, so hopefully their is a good chance.

Also i a, one of my moms friends, mothers, has had the same problem as my nan and she had her whole pancreas removed, and now she is apparently free of the cancer.

Chris13 · New User Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 5

Well i've just been informed that my nan isn't eligible for sugery, or it is unlikely that she can have it. The specialist is going to a meeting next Wednesday with 4 other doctors, where they will discuss appropriate treatment. I presume now thats it then, there is little that can be done to cure it. not the most uplifting news, Sad

, i think i'm still in shock, i can't accept it Confused

Chris13 · New User Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 5

If she isn't eligible for surgery, they haven't specified whether it is to advanced to operate, they have just said she isn't eligible. Do u think there still is a glimmer of a chance for curing it? Its the waiting to know for certain I just can't stand.
I could just be hoping for something that isn't possible.
In this day and age with all this technology, still we cannot cure cancer easily. Argghgh it makes me so angry! Evil or Very Mad

. If i ever win the lottery 3/4 of it is goin to Cancer Research UK.

	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