Pancreatic adenocarcinoma diary

[#1]

Hi all. I will keep an online diary re; pancreatic cancer. Any info that I am going to be sharing will represent only my own opinion and won't be an advice of any sort to anyone. I am NOT a medical practitioner and I am not associated with a commercial entity that may be promoting any treatments or products that may help in cancer prevention or treatment. My partner has been recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. As I have access to the most recent medical studies and medical journals and have good internet browsing skills I will post any and all info I find interesting regarding pancreatic cancer in this blog. Only recently I've started learning about pancreas and pancreatic cancer therefore I am an amateur. I will share what we will be going through and what kind of therapeutic treatments will be undertaken including dietary regimen. So far, I've invested 4 weeks in making a very comprehensive strategy that we are about to execute. It includes both conventional and alternative approach. I personally do not favour either but have insisted on exercising both at the same time. I believe in science and am a sceptic by the nature, however I will scrutinise both - conventional and alternative ideas if/when I can. So far we have gone through the Whipple's procedure. She has been recovering very well. I will talk more about it in coming days. I will also talk more about our dietary, physiological and psychological therapeutic plans as well as chemotherapy and other ideas and intentions. My intention is to contribute to this website voluntarily by sharing our own experience, available online resources and most current developments in relation to this deadly disease, and in such a way assist others who may find some of our strategies useful. Thanks.

[#2]

I has been 10 months since the surgery. She is feeling well. The fatigue factor is always present and we think it may be related to iron deficiency (will be receiving infusion 4x a year) in her system but other than that she is OK. Regular visits to her psychiatrist, GP, and other specialists is a part of her lifestyle, now. We are continuing with stress free approach to everything even though we both have emotional crisis periods. It has changed us a lot. She is certainly tougher mentally. I have changed too 🙂 I am not as tough as she is. We are rapidly closing down to the 1st anniversary and looking forward to it. Go the Cats! 🙂

[#3]

Almost 11 months since surgery, now. The last CT scan and blood results including tumor markers (CA19-9 is at 31) are all clear and fine. The blood test results are normal. She will have 3-4 times iron infusion per annum and apart from that all seems to be OK. Still fairly easy to get tired, regular yoga classes, exercise, good diet (as mentioned before) in place, less stress etc. A month shy from the 1st anniversary. 🙂

[#4]

12 months to the day....All clear, her weight is back to normal, post Whipple's morbidities present in the evenings....can be managed by making last meal of the day before 3pm. Tumor markers in check....her daily activities as mentioned previously intact...gets tired easily which causes mental fatigue as well. So far, very happy.

[#5]

A bottle of champagne was popped today and shared among the family. All good! 12 moth since Whipple's all clear, one down, 4 to go! (anniversaries that is)

[#6]

Red and processed meat and PC; http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/240319.php Plus; http://www.pancreaticcancer.net.au/apgi/2012-apgi-symposium/symposium-program I will be attending.

[#7]

On WED this week we are getting her CT results. This is the first post 12 - months scan. Feeling a bit anxious for the first time since the surgery. Fingers crossed!

[Sunshine006au]

I hope the reults come back good, my thoughts are with you. Sunshine

[SILLY]

I hope she gets good results.

[kj]

DPC good luck with the results fingers crossed kj

[#11]

Thank you ppl. I know it will be OK 🙂

[#12]

All good news! Very excited. No evidence of metastasis in abdomen and pelvis areas. Chest clear, as well as skeleton. The only new thing is a 7mm artefact (liver) that will be examined closely in coming days (PET scan). Residual pancreas seems to be healthy. CA19.9 market slightly up from 41 to 48. Life is good! 🙂

[#13]

PET scan results were positive but just to make sure that it is the case we will organise a MRI scan as well. It is said that sometimes PET scan does not show the most accurate picture when liver is in the question. A few days away...

[#14]

The MRI results are in and they are in agreement with the PET results - all clear and looking good! We are very pleased with how her recovery is progressing. The only "doubt" raised after the last round of results is that CA 19.9 tumor marker is slightly up (56) and is at its highest since the surgery. When looking objectively on overall progress of recovery, and the results, this should not be of concern and may be due to a round of antibiotics she was recently on. At this stage we won't let that worry us.

[kj]

DPC Good luck with tumor markers hope its a hiccup I see oncologist next month i am ok kj

[kj]

DPC Havent read any entries in your diary for a while how is it all going kj

[#17]

KJ All good. She is physically OK. No nasty surprises, however, she moved out and is enjoying a life of a single person. And I think it may be good it is that way, now. Less stress, more time for herself. I hope it stays that way on both fronts. How are you doing? I hope you are getting better. Wish you all the best.

[kj]

DPC Thanks for posting been wondering whats been happening with you both, sad to hear of the current living arrangements,but glad that her health is ok Cancer can put massive strain on relationships, hope everything works out for you both I am ok at the moment and all the best to you both kj