Anyone Familiar with Pancreatic Cancer

My father passed away from pancreatic cancer several years ago. I will warn you that you may choose to keep the information I share to yourself or share it with your sister-in-law, but it is very unpleasant. Pancreatic cancer is perhaps the most rapidly spreading and invasive of all cancers. Frequently when someone goes from healthy to sick with cancer quickly, they call it pancreatic cancer eventhough it may not be, but many quick moving cancers are attributed to it. When my father was diagnosed, he was Stage II and given 3-6 months to live. He survived one year and had a really great quality of life during that time. After diagnosis, he was also scheduled for the Whipple procedure. This procedure is considered the only possible cure for pancreatic cancer - very few people live in remission after having that diagnosis. It is a massive procedure, as I am sure you know. What your doctor likely has not told you is that fewer than 20 percent of the patients that going in for this procedure are eligible to receive it (possibly even less). That is, the majority of the time, the doctor will find that the cancer has already spread to other organs. Your relative may be in that 20 percent, so do not give up hope, but I just want you to be prepared that her chances of actually receiving the procedure are low. My father was scheduled for it, but that is when we had found that the cancer was further advanced than anyone had suspected. Finally, as Beth pointed out because pancreatic cancer is so fast moving, there is not a whole lot of time to shop around for the best hospital. If she is able to get the Whipple, it will require a significant amount of time recuperating in the hospital - and it still does not guarantee a cure. I am so very sorry. I will pray for your family and hope for the best outcome.
Please check out PANCAN.org for great stories of hope and resources. They were an invaluable organization when my dad was going through this.

I do know that she shouldn't take too long to make up her mind, pancreatic cancer is not one to mess around with. I don't know about hospitals in your area but it is a pretty standard procedure so she should get 2 opinions at the most and get in asap.

I can't tell you about the whipple procedure but I can share experiences with Rush. My mother was diagnosed with a really rare type of pancreatic tumor 2 years ago. She had it removed at Rush. Her surgeon was great. She did not have great experience in the surgical ICU (the nurses at that time weren't very compassionate), and it was hit or miss with the nurses once she was moved to a regular room. She was in the hospital for just over two weeks total. She had to have another tumor removed this past October (same surgeon, same hospital) and had a much better experience. The nurses everywhere were amazing, especially those in ICU. They would call my dad and me to give us updates which was so reassuring.

I don't really have any input of your family's situation since my mother's tumor wasn't cancerous. It was however potential fatal and she is now in perfect health.

I'll say that the biggest help to me were the family and friends who would just call or write to tell me that they were thinking of us and asking if they could help. I have a toddler and was 8 months pregnant with my second when my mum had her last surgery and it was wonderful to know that I had a support system available.

Good luck to your family and I hope that everyone can find the support that they need to get through such a difficult time.

NOT A GOOD OUTCOME THE DOCTOR MESSED UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In August 2004 my dad was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. We were told "since it is early there is a good survivial rate". They did the "Whipple" on him September 7, 2004. The doctor messed up "his words" (there was a hairline tear and the dr didn't think it would matter) and they had to redo the surgery two weeks later (9-21-2005). My dad was on life support for 6 weeks. In December 2005 (12-21-2005), we were told nothing could be done, the cancer was too far gone. In January 2006 (01-15-2006), we called Hospice in. In February he started to have mini strokes. Sadly, on March 21, 2005 my dad passed away. Yes, he was a heavy smoker and a heavy drinker. I truly believe that my dad would still be here if the doctor had not messed up. After the 1st surgery he had a good chance of betting it, but since they had to go in and redo the Whipple and fix the hairline tear I feel that is when all of the cancer spread and if the doctor would have took his time the first time he could have beat it. The "Whipple" is not a common procedure and she should get the best dr possible. In know in KC only two doctors do the Whipple. Hopefully they have caught it early and she has a good outcome.

Being diagnosed with stage I-II pancreatic cancer is rare. It is so commonly lethal because, by the time diagnosis has occurred, there's been considerable metastatic activity to other organs. My grandmother passed away from pancreatic cancer ~15 years ago, and an Endocrinologist I worked with for many years passed away last New Year's Eve.

Being diagnosed early certainly improves her chances of being treated considerably.

Find out who the LEADING Oncologists in the treatment of Pancreatic cancer are, and have her see them immediately. There are many Oncologists who have an online presence on sites such as Facebook and Twitter. I'd leverage that. For instance, I am a lymphoma survivor and follow Dr. Anas Younes at MD Anderson in Houston. He is one of the leading lymphoma experts nationally - you could reach out to someone like him to find out who the leading authorities in Pancreatic Cancer are and have a result before the end of the day (@DrAnasYounes on Twitter).

Pancreatic cancer is rapid and very insidious. So, I too would recommend moving VERY QUICKLY to make a decision.

Randy Pausch (author of "The Last Lecture") and Patrick Swayzee both died of pancreatic cancer - I'm sure their Oncologist's names are very publicly associated with them. Supreme Court Justic Ruth Bader Ginsberg was recently diagnosed as Stage I Pancreatic Cancer, and I'd see if her Oncologist's name is public as well. Such high profile people usually get the most acute and thorough care.

Good luck to her family. I wouldn't wish this diagnosis upon anyone.

I don't have but I know this is totally based upon the TNM system and number system. Pancreatic cancer is not common and is rare in the younger people. The most common symptoms are pain in the upper abdomen, weight loss, and jaundice. Pancreatic cancer treatments is based upon the stages, surgery if the cancer is small and otherwise chemotherapy is used to treat it.
http://www.biblehealth.com/pancreatic-cancer/treatment-fo...

My husbands dad had pancreatic cancer. It was coupled with other cancers though and late stage. I don't know much about it since it happened when we were just a new couple. I do know that he was cared for at Rush. My DH has nothing but wonderful things to say about Rush. I think that is the best places for your SILs sister to be. Lots of prayers to
all involved!

Honestly, if I were her I would make sure the surgeon and the hospital had a good reputation, and I would go in IMMEDIATELY for the procedure. I wouldn't waste a day. Pancreatic cancer is so fast and lethal, you literally don't have a minute to waste checking out places. Normally, I'm all for a second opinion, but I would run, not walk, to the hospital and have this done. I'm really sorry your family and your SIL's family is going through this.