Trying To Beat The Odds

Big Sister · Experienced user Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Posts: 67

Hello,

As readers of this forum know, my only brother was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in October, 2006. He died miserably 8 weeks later. He had no symptoms other than a mild backache for 2 weeks prior to his diagnosis. He was 61 years old.

Because it seems that this horrid cancer runs in families, I have scheduled a full abdominal & pelvic CT scan this week to see if we can detect any abnormalities (shadows, growths, suspicions) before they become problem.

My doctor is behind me 100 percent. In order to avoid paying for the scan out of pocket, we are using an old liver spot, found some 25 years ago, as the basis for the scan.

I am trying to be proactive here, hoping that the odds are in my favor but taking steps to ward off a terrifying diagnosis. As we all know, only surgery seems to be an option for prolonging life once the disease makes itself known.

Just thought you'd want to know. I send my best hopes for all of you who continue to slog through the swamp of this horrible disease.

Big Sister

cardoso · Guest

Sorry for your brother.

His cancer was a nasty one.

You're doing the right thing. Let's hope there's nothing there but your pet spot, and use it as an excuse for regular exams from now on.

There's nothing a doctor loves more than an early, early detected cancer.

freeio · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:54 am Post subject: You go girl!

Your decision is probably a good one. In all likelihood there will be nothing found, and I hope that will be a relief for you.

Yes, cancer can run in families, but remember that two siblings can be very different, and one may get a considerably "easier" set of genes to deal with. My dad's younger brother died at 45 of leukemia. My dad died of esophageal cancer at 80. Their older sister is still physically doing very well at 85. My pancreatic cancer was discovered at 53. My sister is in perfect health. So there is not necessarily a lot of correlation between even close relatives.

I hope it goes well for you. The nice thing about CT scans is that they are painless. They put in an IV, and then all you have to do is lie there and hold still for about ten minutes.

Best Regards

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

Big Sister · Experienced user Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Posts: 67

Following up to my initial post about proactive screening for family members:

All my tests were "unremarkable." A good word for sure.

No indications of any lumps, bumps, shadows or masses anywhere in the abdomen, pelvis or areas north and south.

Since most of you writing here are family members of pancreatic cancer patients, you might think about getting your own scan, if you have the insurance to handle it. All any of us has to do is to look at former President Jimmy Carter's family and it's evident that the thing runs in families.

Good luck to all as you help your loved ones cope. Big Sister

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