Dear Doc!

My mom has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer We all are still in a shock, and know virtually nothing about this disease. There are still a lot of examinations left to determine how spread the cancer is and such. But in the meantime I started searching for information on the web, so I know a bit more, but there are way too many webpages and I'm not sure which to believe - as not all say the same.
I'd be glad if you could share some sources which supply reliable information on expectations, treatments, a cure if there's any...And happy stories of people who got cured, of course. As we're located in Hungary, Europe, anything American institutes would provide are out of reach ATM, but information would be good from any source.

Thanks.
Mark

I have no information to give, but sorry about the bad news, I hope your mum pulls through and gets better.

As J said...Best of luck to your mom!!!

I wish your mother and family the best possible outcome.
here's a couple links I found, I hope they help
http://www.pancreatica.org/
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/pancrea...aticcancer.html
http://www.cancer-info.com/pancreas.htm

Thanks guys! Good to have you all

Hey Mark, I hope your mom pulls through. I don't mean to dampen things, but I think the doc is out.... permanently... and why does this not surprise me in the least bit...

well... you know feelings about... ahh forget it.

Not out but had hard drive fgailure and am only on my office computer. I havr several patients with pancreatic cancer who are still alive and doing well. It is a bad cancer but it still does have some who survive. Some by surgery and some by chemotherapy. It depends on whether it is located in the head , body or tail. It is a long and difficult road but it can be beat. Good luck to you. My prayers go with you.

Thanks again for the prayers and all...

Today we got to know that the cancer spread to one lymph in her neck and with a high possibility to her liver Originally we only know about the tumor in the head of the pancreas...We are looking at the treatment possibilities right now, searching for the best doctor available and such...How can life change so drastically in two weeks...

With distant spread chemotherapy is the onoy reasonable option. Surgery would be unwarranted now . Still chemo has gotten much better . A quote below says it:

Researchers say marimastat appears to benefit some non-metastatic patients and suggest the agent be tested in those patients in combination with gemcitabine. "Five years ago, patients with advanced pancreatic cancer did not have any good treatment options, but gemcitabine and newly engineered drugs like marimastat are giving us hope," says the study leader Simon Bramhall, from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, England. "These clinical trial results are encouraging and suggest that targeted molecular therapy may benefit some patients."

My prayers are with you too! My sister lost her husband to that cancer. I am sorry to say that it took him in 6 weeks to the day of diagnosis.

All our hopes and prayers for your mom!! Life is a bitter jagged pill my friend. I wish I could take away her cancer or trade places with her. This life is not all its cracked up to be for me. I would trade with her if I had the chance.

Though still along way from a cure, cancer is not the death sentence it used to be, I have seen many miracles in that field, I will pray your Mother receives one of them. Best of luck to You and your Mom.

I bought a book called Informed Decisions (linky) when cancer first hit home with us in 2001. When my mom was diagnosed this year, I also lent it to her. It has some common sense approaches to coping with cancer in its various forms and stages, and may prove of some use to you.

I hope with all my heart that your mom gets through this okay - I will keep you in my thoughts.

A dear friend of 20 yrs just lost his wife to cancer, and in next moment I found out one of my good friends that Ive worked with for the last 7 yrs was diagnosed with leukemia. Hes my age.

Live everyday like it was your last.

Pray for us the following days, and pray as hard as you can please...Pray for a miracle

I am so sorry kalmark, i do prey everything works out ok.

Praying here too, kalmark, and often.

Add me in that list...Ill be trying to help out with that miricle prayer too

Mine and my families prayers are with you and yours mark.

Sorry, kalmark...my thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time.

Thanks you, friends. It's all over now May she rest in peace

I'm very sorry to hear the bad news.

The 1 and only good thing is that your mum is no longer in pain but I know how you feel I lost my nan earlier this year and its hard especially at christmas time.

Remember we are online if you need to escape anytime.

Shame on me for not even looking at this thread. I wish there was something I could do for you bud.

Your moms at peace now and I wish there was something I could say or do to make you feel the same, but time is the only thing that will bring that to you.
So very sorry.

I am so sorry about your loss, Kalmark. I too recently lost my mother, the pain is unbearable I know, but let you friends and family help you through this and know my prayers are with you and yours.

I am deeply sorry for your loss. You can take solice in knowing that she is no longer in pain. Our hearts go out to you and your family.