Dad diagnosed with pancreatic cancer...

John1427 · New User Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 4

On January 14, 2008, Dad had a biopsy performed. Early results determined that Dad had Metastatic pancreatic cancer.

On January 24th, my dad went to visit the Oncologist. Basically the final pathology report confirmed that Dad's cancer is very aggressive. We
discussed treatment options. Dad started chemotherapy on Jan. 31st. The chemotherapy will be given for 3 weeks straight, then skip a week, then repeated two more cycles. After the last treatment, additional scans of the pancreas will be done to determine the effectiveness of the treatments. If it appears the chemotherapy is helping, additional treatments will be done, if Dad chooses.

All this is hard to imagine since Dad has always been so healthy. Even at 72, he continues to be very active. He's not the type to sit around and watch TV. He's always working on something. As a family, this has been hard to except. We all look at each other and say, "How can this be?".

Dad's CA 19-9 number was 647.

Before Chemo, Dad was washing his truck, taking trips, cutting down trees (4 in one day!). Now, he's tired and his energy level has bottomed out. His white blood count dropped from 8.4 to 3.2. The second chemo treatment had to be reduced. He goes today for a third treatment.

I don't see how the Chemo is helping. It seems to be dragging him down. Before the chemo he had energy and was active.

Is there anything he can do to help with his energy levels? Drinks or shots or vitamins?

brainman

Hi John,

I am very sorry about your father's advanced pancreatic cancer. PC is so aggressive that it does need to be treated aggressively... that means chemo. Unfortunately, chemo does drag a person down in most cases. Make sure he is taking at least a multi-vitamin. I also take Folic Acid, B6, B12, and E (per the instructions on the labels). You should talk about this with his medical team before starting any form of supplements.

You and your father are in my thoughts and prayers.
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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
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John1427 · New User Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 4

As you may know, my dad was diagnosed with Metastatic pancreatic cancer in January. Dad started chemo on January 31st. Dad went in yesterday for his third treatment, but they were unable to give dad the treatment because his white blood cell count had dropped to low. Dad has started taking booster shots in an attempt to
get the white blood cell count up. He is homebound, due to his low immune system. If they can get the immune system to rebound from the booster shots, they will resume chemo next Thursday.

Please pray for dad's recovery and pray for my mom.

sam · Regular Joined: 07 Feb 2008 Posts: 11

Dear John,
Sorry to hear about your Dad. My Dad had the nutritionist go round today and the advice she gave him has startled me a bit. She said that he should eat foods high in fat and sugar to boost him up and drink milk too.
These are all the things that I thought were bad for cancer???
I asked my Mum to ask her if she knew anything about apricot kernels (B17) and she had not?
I have been trying to do my homework and find out what things would help my Dad and so I have ordered some apricot kernels and told Mum to feed Dad things which are vitamin rich....fruits, nuts, chicken etc. Am I barking up the wrong tree? I don't know if anyone can help me here.
I am driving up to Lancashire again on Sunday morning to see Mum and Dad so will be able to speak to Mum in more detail about what the nutritionist said. She said that he would be too weak for chemo at the moment.
Does anyone out there think that rich, fat foods will help boost my Dad up so he can have chemo???

John1427 · New User Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 4

Dad has received shots to boost his immune system the last four days. Later this week, blood work will determine if it has been effective. He's doing well, has a slight fever, but feels better.

Sam, I purchased my dad bottles of Mangosteen juice. Do some reading on this fruit and it's benefits.

sam · Regular Joined: 07 Feb 2008 Posts: 11

Thanks for that, John. Will have a read up and order some.
Just got back from seeing Dad and he isn't looking too good.
He is very weak now and cannot even stand up without help. His feet and ankles are very swollen too.
The nurse has brought a commode because Dad is no longer able to get up the stairs.
I am looking into buying a single bed for him to put in the lounge because he is sleeping on the sofa now. Mum feels quite helpless but is keeping it together, just.
His mouth is very dry and sore and he is eating even less now. We went round to the Dr's today to get some tablets to try and get Dad's appetite back but I'm beginning to think It's all in vain.
He is in good spirits and says he only has pain occasionally....In his stomach???
He sleeps for much of the day now and I am finding it so hard to watch my Dad wasting away in front of me. He is so frail and weak.... I really thought we might be able to build him up and make him strong but I'm not so sure now.

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