Survivor Story #5

From a thread on Cancer Compass

RE: Dad Just Diagnosed with Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer

by phman10 on Thu Dec 15, 2011 09:23 AM

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To start off I want to wish you and your father the best. My wife a little over 4 years ago was diangosed with Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer.  She was seen at a major Cancer Hospital.  They scheduled her 4 yrs ago to do the Whipple Surgery.  They started the Sugery and went in Laproscopically and they closed her up because they found spots on her liver.  The following morning they came and told her and I to get her affairs in order because she had 3 to 6 months to live. She immediately of course was upset, and I called a friends who had a friend who was the Administrator of a large Oncology Group.

She two days later went to see them, and what they had to say convinced us that she had a chance. They put her on GTX Chemotrherapy. She was on this for two and half years and was doing well. But after two and half years, her tumor markers got a bit elivated so they switched her Chemo, and and for another year and half she was doing well.  The Chemo for four years was taking a toll on her body.  Her Oncologist who is the most caring Doctor, made a call to to a well Known Surgeon in the Field and he agreed to see my wife, They were considering doing the Whipple four years after being on Chemo.  The Surgeon and his staff agree she would be a good candidate, and her Oncologist agree. So my wife decided and on August 1, 2011 She had the Whipple Surgery. The Surgery went well but she had an infection which they got a handle on.  She was able to go back to work on October 19th. She works in a School.  Since then she has been getting better and feeling better.

So far her tumor markets are very low, which is greate.  Her Oncologist has not decided if she needs Chemo or not. but if he decides to it will start in January and it will be only short term.  After the possible chemo, she will be seen twice a month for blood work and have a PET Scan every four to six months.

Through out the entire 4 years and even now she had maintained a great sense of humor, and strong determination.  She has faith and a strong belief that she will make it.  Also important has been her support from family and friends.  We all love her because she is such an amazing woman, funny but strong, and always has faith. In the four years she only missed work due to her surgery. In the four years prior she would have chemo in the Morning and go directly to work.  She never has complained, and is a true fighter.

Read the original message and thread here:
CancerCompass: RE: Dad Just Diagnosed with Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer