My mom has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer - need help urgently!!

Quoted message said:

My mom has just been diagnosed with advanced unresectable
pancreatic cancer. It appears that the cancer has not
spread yet to other organs, but the doctors give her very
little time to live.

I am desperately trying to find info regarding any
available treatment, whether medical or alternative,that
would offer us at least some hope.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I sincerely hope she beats this, but the help I would offer
you is to advise you and your family to talk about what her
doctors have told you. They have painted a gloomy picture,
and unfortunately they're usually right.

Deal with that picture. What can you do, as her family, to
make the best of what she has?

I'm not saying don't search for miracles or hope. I'm saying
don't forget her stark reality in your search for them. Pay
attention to the possibility that there won't be a miracle
and plan for it. The odds of you finding a miracle are slim,
but the odds of you making a huge difference in her life are
very good. Based on some experience, some of it personal,
that is where I would advise you to spend your time and
energies. Spend the time on HER, not on medicine.

I know this isn't what you were looking for, but it's heart-
felt advice. My best to her.

Quoted message said:

My mom has just been diagnosed with advanced unresectable
pancreatic cancer. It appears that the cancer has not
spread yet to other organs, but the doctors give her very
little time to live.

The prognosis for pancreatic cancer is extremely poor. Long-
term overall survival rates are less than two percent. Even
with very localized tumors, four out of five patients are
dead within five years.

Quoted message said:

I am desperately trying to find info regarding any
available treatment, whether medical or alternative,that
would offer us at least some hope.

You can consult other specialists to see what is possible,
but the outlook is quite grim, as a general rule, and it may
be best to prepare for the worst. Mortality is very high,
and most patients are in pain in the latter stages of the
disease and require lots of medication.

--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach
me directly.

Carey Gregory said:

Quoted message said:

My mom has just been diagnosed with advanced unresectable
pancreatic cancer. It appears that the cancer has not
spread yet to other organs, but the doctors give her very
little time to live.

I am desperately trying to find info regarding any
available treatment, whether medical or alternative,that
would offer us at least some hope.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I sincerely hope she beats this, but the help I would
offer you is to advise you and your family to talk about
what her doctors have told you. They have painted a gloomy
picture, and unfortunately they're usually right.

Deal with that picture. What can you do, as her family, to
make the best of what she has?

I'm not saying don't search for miracles or hope. I'm
saying don't forget her stark reality in your search for
them. Pay attention to the possibility that there won't be
a miracle and plan for it. The odds of you finding a
miracle are slim, but the odds of you making a huge
difference in her life are very good. Based on some
experience, some of it personal, that is where I would
advise you to spend your time and energies. Spend the time
on HER, not on medicine.

I know this isn't what you were looking for, but it's heart-
felt advice. My best to her.

I couldn't agree more. What you don't want to do is
to put the patient through more trauma for the
benefit of the desperate loved ones. My mom died of
pancreatic cancer in 1987. I've heard of trying to
resect pancreatic cancer, even looked into a Whipple
procedure. A good friend who is a physician gently
acted as my advocate and filtered the information I
was too personally involved in to act impartially
on. We actually were considering chemotherapy, but
she died before we could start, and it was probably
a mercy that she did. We had to scream at the
hospital a few times because they were too concerned
about turning her into a narcotic addict at the end,
but by and large her suffering was managed well. My
heart goes out to you and your family.

Steve

My only warning is to make sure this isn't a diagnosis based
upon a CT-scan or MRI... We are assuming that someone has
actually biopsied (obtained a sample) of the pancreas or
biliary drainage system and that a competent pathologist has
interpreted it. Cancer -- despite what some physicians will
say -- can't be diagnosed from an x-ray.

My only 2nd (smaller) piece of advice is that if the
diagnosis is correct, and your mom is at a community-based
hospital, make sure she is under the care of an experienced,
compassionate oncologist. This will make a huge difference
in her comfort level with regard to pain management. Some
patients can benefit from stenting of the biliary tree --
placement of small tubes in the event her liver isn't
draining bile appropriately -- this isn't always feasible or
reasonable; it depends upon the particular patient. I'm not
suggesting your put her on a plane to the Mayo clinic or
massachusetts general hospital -- not at all. What I am
saying is that if there is any doubt as to the ability of
your local physicians to care for her -- and that doesn't
mean necessarily repeating or doing more tests and
procedures, it means being knowledgeable about
palliative/hospice care, pain management, and things to make
her as comfortable as possible -- then consider having her
seen at a larger institution/medical center. Maybe she would
benefit from a trial of chemotherapy. There's no way to know
over the internet.

You can make sure she is getting good medical care, but from
that point on, you should spend as much quality time with
her as possible. best wishes.

"Carey Gregory" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

My mom has just been diagnosed with advanced unresectable
pancreatic cancer. It appears that the cancer has not
spread yet to other organs, but the doctors give her very
little time to live.

I am desperately trying to find info regarding any
available treatment, whether medical or
alternative,that would offer us at least some hope.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I sincerely hope she beats this, but the help I would
offer you is to

advise

Quoted message said:

you and your family to talk about what her doctors have
told you. They

have

Quoted message said:

painted a gloomy picture, and unfortunately they're
usually right.

Deal with that picture. What can you do, as her family, to
make the best

of

Quoted message said:

what she has?

I'm not saying don't search for miracles or hope. I'm
saying don't forget her stark reality in your search for
them. Pay attention to the possibility that there won't be
a miracle and plan for it. The odds of

you

Quoted message said:

finding a miracle are slim, but the odds of you making a
huge difference

in

Quoted message said:

her life are very good. Based on some experience, some of
it personal,

that

Quoted message said:

is where I would advise you to spend your time and
energies. Spend the

time

Quoted message said:

on HER, not on medicine.

I know this isn't what you were looking for, but it's heart-
felt advice.

My

Quoted message said:

best to her.

My heart goes out to you. I lost my dad to stomach
cancer. I hate when doctors play God, and tell you how
much time someone has to live. They told my mom my dad
had 6 months, and she promptly responded to the doctor;
do you know how much time YOU have to live? Unfortunately
they were right though.

All doctors know is how much time people with a certain
condition generally have. No one really knows how much time
your mom has but God. As long as she's alive, there is
always hope. You might want to try this site for clinical
trials of new treatments for your mom in your area.

cancer.govclinical trialsOpen ↗

You might also want to try the <A HREF="aol://5863:126/alt.-
support.cancer">alt.support.cancer</A> newsgroup, and also
search Google for other support groups.

<< My mom has just been diagnosed with advanced unresectable
pancreatic cancer. It appears that the cancer has not spread
yet to other organs, but the doctors give her very little
time to live.

(Sheellah) said:

My heart goes out to you. I lost my dad to stomach
cancer. I hate when doctors play God, and tell you how
much time someone has to live. They told my mom my dad
had 6 months, and she promptly responded to the doctor;
do you know how much time YOU have to live? Unfortunately
they were right though.

What would you have them say when asked? Would you have
them say "only God knows?" Would you have them lie? Would
you have them refuse to answer? How is a person to conduct
their life and make decisions if they don't know the
*probable* outcome?

Carey Gregory said:

(Sheellah) said:

My heart goes out to you. I lost my dad to stomach
cancer. I hate when doctors play God, and tell you how
much time someone has to live. They told my mom my dad
had 6 months, and she promptly responded to the doctor;
do you know how much time YOU have to live? Unfortunately
they were right though.

What would you have them say when asked? Would you have
them say "only God knows?" Would you have them lie? Would
you have them refuse to answer? How is a person to conduct
their life and make decisions if they don't know the
*probable* outcome?

But it matters _how_ the info is given -- and heard. Doc
might have explained what you just said, about probable
outcome. OTOH, sounds like Sheellah heard "He will live
6 months."

bob

Bob said:

But it matters _how_ the info is given -- and heard. Doc
might have explained what you just said, about probable
outcome.

When the news is really bad, it's going to hurt no matter
how it is said. It's usually best to be quick and simple:
"She probably has about six months to live," or the like.

--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach
me directly.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Mxsmanic said:

Bob said:

But it matters _how_ the info is given -- and heard. Doc
might have explained what you just said, about probable
outcome.

When the news is really bad, it's going to hurt no matter
how it is said. It's usually best to be quick and simple:
"She probably has about six months to live," or the like.

My father's doctors told him to "go home and prepare to die;
we can't do anything for you" when his bone cancer of the
spine was finally diagnosed. This was ten years ago; perhaps
attitudes have changed now.

--
"Did Father shoot him? I will eat Grandfather for dinner."
- Helen Keller, on learning of the death of her grandfather

REP said:

My father's doctors told him to "go home and prepare to
die; we can't do anything for you" when his bone cancer of
the spine was finally diagnosed. This was ten years ago;
perhaps attitudes have changed now.

Did he die? If so, how long after diagnosis?

Remember that doctors don't like to tell people that they
are going to die; it's equivalent to telling them that they
are incompetent. Nobody likes being helpless, least of all
physicians who have spent years training to keep people
healthy and alive. Even when death is inevitable and beyond
the reach of medical science, many doctors feel personally
frustrated by cases that cannot be helped. Sometimes this
exasperation may transpire in their bedside manner.

--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach
me directly.

"REP" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My father's doctors told him to "go home and prepare to
die; we can't do anything for you" when his bone cancer of
the spine was finally diagnosed. This was ten years ago;
perhaps attitudes have changed now.

Is that *really* in quotes? come on, now.

Steven Bornfeld <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Carey Gregory said:

Quoted message said:

My mom has just been diagnosed with advanced
unresectable pancreatic cancer. It appears that the
cancer has not spread yet to other organs, but the
doctors give her very little time to live.

I am desperately trying to find info regarding any
available treatment, whether medical or
alternative,that would offer us at least some hope.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I sincerely hope she beats this, but the help I would
offer you is to advise you and your family to talk about
what her doctors have told you. They have painted a
gloomy picture, and unfortunately they're usually right.

Deal with that picture. What can you do, as her family,
to make the best of what she has?

I'm not saying don't search for miracles or hope. I'm
saying don't forget her stark reality in your search for
them. Pay attention to the possibility that there won't
be a miracle and plan for it. The odds of you finding a
miracle are slim, but the odds of you making a huge
difference in her life are very good. Based on some
experience, some of it personal, that is where I would
advise you to spend your time and energies. Spend the
time on HER, not on medicine.

I know this isn't what you were looking for, but it's
heart-felt advice. My best to her.

I couldn't agree more. What you don't want to do is
to put the patient through more trauma for the
benefit of the desperate loved ones. My mom died of
pancreatic cancer in 1987. I've heard of trying to
resect pancreatic cancer, even looked into a Whipple
procedure. A good friend who is a physician gently
acted as my advocate and filtered the information I
was too personally involved in to act impartially
on. We actually were considering chemotherapy, but
she died before we could start, and it was probably
a mercy that she did. We had to scream at the
hospital a few times because they were too concerned
about turning her into a narcotic addict at the end,

If I were in her situation, I'd rather become narcotic
addict than endure pain.

Quoted message said:

but by and large her suffering was managed well. My heart
goes out to you and your family.

Steve

Steven Bornfeld <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Carey Gregory said:

Quoted message said:

My mom has just been diagnosed with advanced
unresectable pancreatic cancer. It appears that the
cancer has not spread yet to other organs, but the
doctors give her very little time to live.

I am desperately trying to find info regarding any
available treatment, whether medical or
alternative,that would offer us at least some hope.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I sincerely hope she beats this, but the help I would
offer you is to advise you and your family to talk about
what her doctors have told you. They have painted a
gloomy picture, and unfortunately they're usually right.

Deal with that picture. What can you do, as her family,
to make the best of what she has?

I'm not saying don't search for miracles or hope. I'm
saying don't forget her stark reality in your search for
them. Pay attention to the possibility that there won't
be a miracle and plan for it. The odds of you finding a
miracle are slim, but the odds of you making a huge
difference in her life are very good. Based on some
experience, some of it personal, that is where I would
advise you to spend your time and energies. Spend the
time on HER, not on medicine.

I know this isn't what you were looking for, but it's
heart-felt advice. My best to her.

I couldn't agree more. What you don't want to do is
to put the patient through more trauma for the
benefit of the desperate loved ones. My mom died of
pancreatic cancer in 1987. I've heard of trying to
resect pancreatic cancer, even looked into a Whipple
procedure. A good friend who is a physician gently
acted as my advocate and filtered the information I
was too personally involved in to act impartially
on. We actually were considering chemotherapy, but
she died before we could start, and it was probably
a mercy that she did. We had to scream at the
hospital a few times because they were too concerned
about turning her into a narcotic addict at the end,

If I were in her situation, I'd rather become narcotic
addict than endure pain.

Quoted message said:

but by and large her suffering was managed well. My heart
goes out to you and your family.

Steve

Amanda said:

If I were in her situation, I'd rather become narcotic
addict than endure pain.

Addiction is rare in people who take narcotic analgesics
specifically for the purpose of reducing or eliminating
pain. They do become physically dependent after a time, but
they do not become psychologically dependent. In other
words, if the cause of the pain disappears, they can simply
stop taking the narcotics, endure the withdrawal syndrome,
and they're clean.

Addiction is mainly a problem with people who take drugs
for psychological reasons, as opposed to legitimate
medical reasons.

In any case, in a patient who will die without any
elimination of the cause of pain, there's no point in
worrying about addiction. Analgesics can be used freely as
necessary to make the patient as comfortable as possible.

--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach
me directly.

Amanda said:

If I were in her situation, I'd rather become narcotic
addict than endure pain.

The withholding of narcotics from the terminally ill
is inexcusable.

Steve

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

but by and large her suffering was managed well. My heart
goes out to you and your family.

Steve

Mxsmanic said:

Amanda said:

If I were in her situation, I'd rather become narcotic
addict than endure pain.

Addiction is rare in people who take narcotic analgesics
specifically for the purpose of reducing or eliminating
pain. They do become physically dependent after a time,
but they do not become psychologically dependent. In other
words, if the cause of the pain disappears, they can
simply stop taking the narcotics, endure the withdrawal
syndrome, and they're clean.

Addiction is mainly a problem with people who take drugs
for psychological reasons, as opposed to legitimate
medical reasons.

In any case, in a patient who will die without any
elimination of the cause of pain, there's no point in
worrying about addiction. Analgesics can be used freely as
necessary to make the patient as comfortable as possible.

I agree.

Best, Steve

Mxsmanic said:

REP said:

My father's doctors told him to "go home and prepare to
die; we can't do anything for you" when his bone cancer of
the spine was finally diagnosed. This was ten years ago;
perhaps attitudes have changed now.

Did he die? If so, how long after diagnosis?

Remember that doctors don't like to tell people that they
are going to die; it's equivalent to telling them that
they are incompetent.

No it's not. Being able to communicate and guide
patients regarding their condition, good news or
bad, is a very important part of the job. Any doctor
who thinks communicating bad news is an admission of
incompetence should find another line of work.

Steve

Nobody

Quoted message said:

likes being helpless, least of all physicians who have
spent years training to keep people healthy and alive.
Even when death is inevitable and beyond the reach of
medical science, many doctors feel personally frustrated
by cases that cannot be helped. Sometimes this
exasperation may transpire in their bedside manner.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Beachhouse said:

"REP" <[email hidden]> wrote in message -"]news:[email hidden]-
berlin.de...

Quoted message said:

My father's doctors told him to "go home and prepare to
die; we can't do anything for you" when his bone cancer
of the spine was finally diagnosed. This was ten years
ago; perhaps attitudes have changed now.

Is that *really* in quotes? come on, now.

Were you there?

--
"Did Father shoot him? I will eat Grandfather for dinner."
- Helen Keller, on learning of the death of her grandfather

In article <[email hidden]>,

Mxsmanic said:

REP said:

My father's doctors told him to "go home and prepare to
die; we can't do anything for you" when his bone cancer
of the spine was finally diagnosed. This was ten years
ago; perhaps attitudes have changed now.

Did he die? If so, how long after diagnosis?

Of course he died. He outlasted their prognosis, though; he
died ten months later.

Quoted message said:

Remember that doctors don't like to tell people that they
are going to die; it's equivalent to telling them that
they are incompetent.

Well, since they first told him he just had arthritis ...

Quoted message said:

Nobody likes being helpless, least of all physicians who
have spent years training to keep people healthy and
alive. Even when death is inevitable and beyond the reach
of medical science, many doctors feel personally
frustrated by cases that cannot be helped. Sometimes this
exasperation may transpire in their bedside manner.

That, however, is not an attitude to take out on a patient.

--
"Did Father shoot him? I will eat Grandfather for dinner."
- Helen Keller, on learning of the death of her grandfather