Sending a big thank you to u/Jasmineuhh for sending me a link to an article on the use of Ivermectin to treat cancer.

It turns out there is also discussion around the use of Ivermectin and Gemcitabine to treat Pancreatic Cancer. See link below...

Ivermectin and Gemcitabine Combination Treatment

I am going to speak with my oncologist this week and see if this is an option for me to try. Right now my future is limited, so I am willing to try something new if it could help.

Please don't take this as a recommendation from me... I am not a medical professional. Speak to your doctor/oncologist before taking any action.

As a PC patient, there's a few things I found when I was diagnosed...

• I knew nothing about PC prior to being diagnosed? It doesn't appear to be as widely talked about as other cancers, such as leukemia, bowel cancer, etc. Has that been your experience?
• As far as I am aware there doesn't appear to be any early detection tests to identify PC? When mine was diagnosed the situation basically went from detection to the situation is terminal pretty quickly. Are you aware of early detection options for PC?
• From what I am reading in most PC forums and here, the detection of PC often comes as a surprise, and in some really sad situations the patient dies shortly after diagnosis. Is that your experience?

The reason I ask these questions is mostly to try and help promote early detection of pancreatic cancer. Similar to the bowel cancer early detection kits we have in Australia. I figure the earlier we can detect PC, the more chances we have for patients to survive.

For me personally the situation is terminal, which sucks, and I don't know how much time I have ahead of me. But I will be dammed if I am going to let this disease continue to hurt other families, so I want to make a difference... if I can. Would appreciate your feedback.

Any experience please? Mum (76yr old) has been told that the following is her only treatment option coupled with radiotherapy ( after severe nerve damage from previous tx). She is so worried about the side effects vs benefits and quality of life. We would be so appreciative if anyone could tell us what they went through in real terms please 🙏🏼

A family member, (under 50), has been diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We do not know the stage at this time, but the mass is in the head of the pancreas.

There is a very lengthy dr appointment coming up next week and are encouraged to ask all the questions.

What are very important questions to ask from your experience that we might not think of?

Thank you for your input.

So, I'm trying to help my hubby when he has stomach issues. (Stage 4, liver mets, recent ERCP stent placed). He takes omeprazole twice daily, has compazine for prn use which he'll take but doesn't really stem the discomfort, and he's still refusing to take Creon for whatever reason. He said eating makes his stomach feel better but it will just be uncomfortable/possibly painful if he's not eating. He will take his pain meds (5mg oxy does the trick usually).

He isn't a good describer of what's going on that gives him this discomfort, so I try asking him questions to understand what he's feeling. But I'm coming up empty on how to help him deal with it.

Anything else that could help here? We do see the Oncologist on Monday. Thanks in advance...

I do realize that the CT scans and two different doctors have diagnosed my 90 year old grandmother. She and her pcp have decided not to even do further testing nor treatment since it won’t change the outcome (her pcp’s words.

My question is: would the CT scans have shown if it had spread? For example, they found the tumor which is size of a 50 cent piece (so like a little over 1inch in diameter). The urologist and her pcp both said they can tell it’s cancerous by the scan.

When breaking the news to my grandmother (my aunt was with her), would they have been able to say it’s localized?

The unknown is torture. I spoke to her today and she said she was feeling ok. Shes not one to complain though. :( I just wish we knew a little more. 😭

ETA - reason for CT was to figure out why she was having so many UTIs

Has this happened to you or someone you know? I know apparently pseudoprogression is rare(occuring in 10%) but what would be the likelihood of it happening in a presumed stage 1B?

My dad got switched from 4 to 8 rounds of chemo. His mass sized up but about half an inch?

Does this mean the chemo isn't working or that it's not aggressive enough form of chemo?

I'm stressing out

My dad, 74, was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma 6 weeks ago. Stage one, tumor on the pancreatic tail, considered a great candidate for resection after a few months of chemo. We heard the treatment approach would have the goal of being "curative," but understood that only meant there was a him living another 4-5 years.

He started 5FU chemo, but on the second run spiked a fever, tachycardia, and developed a full body rash. The chemo was stopped prematurely. Yesterday he had a repeat CT with contrast before starting a different chemo next week. Today we learned that his tumor has more than doubled in size, with fingers branching out into his soft tissue. Clots have developed in the splenic vein. Surgery is off the table and gone is the word "curative." He's on blood thinners now.

I know no one can predict how this will go, but goddamn it. This is not fair. How does a tumor grow so much with such a horrible cocktail of poison pumped in? What is coming? How much time do we have? Is this next round of chemo going to yield such awful results?

I have heard of people "not tolerating" chemo. I always thought that meant that it made them throw up too much, or the neuropathy got too bad. I didn't realize it might made a person have life threatening cardiac effects, or thrombosis, or allergic responses.

Fuckity fuck fuck.

My husband was diagnosed in February 2022 many chemo treatments he is now stage 4 with metastatic to skeletal but just finished radiation on September 19th. Has had a lot more pain and his back is itchy all the time is this normal after radiation?

https://cdn.fusfoundation.org/2024/11/05160011/FUSF-2024_PCWksp-Program_Web.pdf

I took my father to his appointment the other day with high hopes of starting chemo. We were supposed to start his treatment a couple weeks ago but had to go to the emergency room because he was experiencing a fever. They kept him in the hospital for a week and a half and missed his chemo appointment. So when we go released from the hospital we were excited to get going with his treatment. Yesterday we got his labs done and the oncologist sat us down telling us that his bilirubin was a bit over 7. He said that his liver is no longer functioning and the chemo would not help anymore. He told us that “there’s nothing they can do for him,” and to “enjoy these last few weeks by eating and doing whatever he wants,” and then referred us to hospice. This isn’t the news we were expecting. My dad is now pushing for getting a second opinion which I’m all for doing, but would it help? Has anyone had an experience with bilirubin being high? Anyway we can reverse this or is this a one way street? We aren’t ready to give up yet but from what the oncologist told us, it’s looking bleak… what can we do?

My wonderful mom (83) is diagnosed with stage 4 PC. They have not done a biopsy yet to officially diagnose but the oncologists suspect it to be true based on the CT scan and ultrasound. She has had cancer for decades in various forms and survived this many times. She is jaundiced due to a tumor pressing against her bile duct. The doctor says surgery not an option in this case for the cancer treatment but they may be able to do something to release the bile duct to make her more comfortable and then talk if there is anything that can be done to try and extend her life if at all.

What can we expect from here? About how long might she have? How do people with this typically die? Is there a warning sign she is approaching the end?

My son is at college 14 hours away and is coming home for Thanksgiving. But do we need to rush him home early!? We have cancelled our Thanksgiving travel plans but not Christmas plans yet. 🙏😢

Hi guys im a fist time poster, recently my mom has been diagnosed with stage 2b pancreatic cancer. She has had some trouble eating because of nausea, she's medidicated but it's not helping to much. Please send any recipes that you guys used to help your family members put on weight. Preferably higher in protein and vegetables and low in sugar and carbs since she's diabetic. Also how did you guys keep ur family members company when they were so tired. I honestly feel guilty for not talking to her and helping as much as I can, I feel useless and I'm only doing physical things like cleaning the house and cooking and cleaning but it's tireing and I want to do normal kid stuff like going to the mall but then I feel guilty for like thinking that cause she's suffering and I am having fun. That why I don't want to go to school. Hope you guys and your families are doing well in their struggles with cancer.

My partner (25M) will be going in for surgery tomorrow. He’s completed 10 rounds of folfirinox prior to, that provided some slight shrinkage. Since the tumor is still around the major artery, his aorta will be reconstructed, they will remove his spleen, 1/3 of stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, and to reconnect a part of his small intestine. But this is all pending that they’ve got all of the cancer out. I’m scared out of my mind. Scared to see the surgeon come out earlier with the news that the cancer couldn’t be taken out. He’s my best friend. He’s young and has so much life ahead of him. I know tomorrow is not promised and have been making sure to spend this last month (break off chemo) doing fun things with him and enjoying life. Any positive thoughts or if anyone has had this experience before, I would love to hear.

My wonderful, funny, kind best friend, my dad passed in his sleep yesterday at the age of 64, next to my mama, the love of his life. He was diagnosed with stage IIB in January, at the time was a candidate for surgery. Due to complications from his diabetes he became a lower below the knee amputee in April, which meant he only completed 2 chemos. He went through 15 rounds of radiation like a champ, the tumor (we named it Stanley Arnold) at the tail of his pancreas even shrunk a bit, the 3 effected lymph nodes stayed about the same. In July he had to have his left leg amputated below the knee due to an ulcer on his foot that got infected & went to the bone. He said after both surgeries he can live without his legs, we have to get to the cancer. He had several infections & set backs throughout the year. He did so good at being optimistic, of course he had his off days, but his humor could have saved the world.

In October he had a biopsy of an additional lymph node, the cancer had spread to an inoperable location. He was then locally advanced non-resectable. We were devastated, but hopeful. Our oncologist had told him that he’d beaten the odds all ready. Two weeks ago he had a celiac nerve block & he was feeling so good. He was cleared to start working on his left leg & had an appointment scheduled for next week. We had a great couple of weeks of going and doing things he loved. He was supposed to start chemo today. He was so scared of chemo & the side effects with trying to navigate with one prothstetic & trying to get his second one & use it. We are devastated and heartbroken, I truly believe his body was just worn out. He was able to donate his corneas. He was able to give someone else the gift of sight.

This group is a great source of support & gives me the opportunity to support others in such similar circumstances. I promise my dad & you all that I will always advocate & support advancement in treatment & improved survival rate of pancreatic cancer as long as I’m alive.

In honor of my dad please listen to Happy by Pharrell William, sing of key, & dance silly, or do something kind for someone else just because. Two things that he loved to do. 💜

My sister, 22F had been diagnosed recently.

Since the last week of September, we've been going in and out of the hospital.

She was initially diagnosed with pancreatitis, we did CT Scans, and MRI to see what's wrong with her because she's not getting better. All the results were clear of stones, but her CBDs are dilated, aside from her pancreas being swollen.

Afterwards, we did another procedure, ERCP and inserted a stent to help with her case. She was then released from the hospital a couple of days after when she started to get better.

Within a week's time, her back started to hurt again, and everything she intakes (food or water), she just vomits out immediately.

Due to unbrearable pain, we decided to take her to the ER again, and once again, she got admitted.

We did another round of CT Scan, and she was then diagnosed with PC. Yesterday, she has gone through biopsy, and until now, we havent had any clear results yet.

A lot of tests were still ordered and we still don't know what treatments we should do.

So my mom(55) got sort of diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, after an mri. They found a 2.2x3.2cm tumor in the head of the pancreas, and it seems like it has spread to the mesenteric artery. She did a biopsy today, waiting for the results. Liver and other organs seem fine. There are also enlarged lymph nodes around the area. I wanted to ask some questions. From my understanding, it looks like a stage 3?, the doctor said that surgery is not possible because of the mesenderic artery, so they should start her on chemo. What are some realistic odds on chemo shrinking it enough to do surgery?. Also I’m wondering why they haven’t asked her to do a ca-19 test. I would really appreciate some insight. I don’t wanna lose her that early, I’m only 18, but I also want to be as down to earth as possible, I don’t like sugarcoating things. Thanks in advance!

My wife did most of the administrative things to arrange this, but I went on Monday to get a pre-procedure Ultrasound so they could identify the liver Mets and plan their approach. Then yesterday morning I went to the hospital and got the procedure done. Pretty smooth experience. The anesthesiologist told me to expect a sore throat because he needed to use a double lumen endotracheal tube (large) to isolate the right lung. He was right, I do have a sore throat. They warned me that of the 3 Mets they were going to treat, one was relatively superficial and because of that the sensory nerves of the liver capsule could cause pain ( deeper tissue doesn’t typically cause pain, they said) I woke up, in quite a bit of pain 6-7/10 and they took me to the CT scanner to evaluate what they had just done. When I got back to recovery I was coherent enough to ask for pain medicine. They gave me 1mg dilaudid (hydromorphone) & that helped quite a bit. I went in at 6am, procedure started at 8am, and I left the hospital at around 3:30 pm. I think without the pain issues, I would have been home several hours sooner. I experienced slight fever and chills initially after the procedure and went to sleep at home, I woke up just now with 3-4/10 pain took some oxycodone and hopefully will go back to sleep. Today I get to rest and tomorrow round 8 of chemo.

My mom was diagnosed beginning of October (2024) with stage 4 (spread to lymph nodes and liver). Thank you to everyone on here. I am on this page constantly and have learned so much from you all in the past month. She first went to the hospital beginning of September with severe abdominal pain. During that stay they did a liver biopsy (however, that came back inconclusive because they accidentally got healthy tissue that was just inflamed). She was back in the hospital at the end of September again with severe pain and had lost over 15 pounds within 20 days. During the second hospital stay they did new scans that came back looking like a different person compared to her scans just a few weeks prior. The speed at which this cancer can grow is truly terrifying. She finally started chemo three weeks ago. Two so far. Although she is barely 100lbs, she is feeling good. Much better now that her pain is under control. Her CA19-9 levels were in the 1100s prior to chemo and after just one cycle they are down to the 300s. Has anyone else experienced a drop in their CA19-9 levels this quickly? She is very excited by this change, and overall hopeful and positive despite her diagnosis- which I am also positive around her. I am just trying to set realistic expectations for myself. Don’t want to get my hopes up.

I just want a realistic view on how much time I still have with my mom (she’s 55 yo).

She was diagnosed with stage 3 in 2019 and was able to have surgery (whipple surgery) followed by 6 months of chemo. Fall of 2022, ct scan showed an enlarged lymph node and she was able to receive radiation therapy that reduced the lymph node. March of this year, going in for her regular CT scan, she said they found more growth and it’s around her SMV (superior mesenteric vein), radiation was not an option, surgery not an option. Doctor recommended chemo but mom was very pessimistic. She went back to china for experimental HIFU treatment in May and came back extremely anemic. After coming back to Canada, she began chemotherapy in June at reduced dosage because she’s too weak. Her chemo was two weeks apart and she was very weak all the time (compared to back when she had chemo the first time in 2019). Mid October, she was very weak and one day woke up wanting to go to the emergency. She was EXTREMELY pale. We called an ambulance, arrived at the hospital and her hemoglobin level was at 38. Doctors immediately ordered 3 units of blood, While waiting for the blood, I was by her bedside and she started vomiting blood. I screamed but immediately distanced myself from her bedside as I knew the doctors and nurses needed to help her. They quickly called code and was able to transfuse 3 units of blood. Immediately after, they took her for a CT and and performed an endoscope to band her esophageal varices(cause of the bleed).

Mom was in the ICU for about 4 days, then transferred to a general room where she stayed about 2 weeks, finally being discharged last Saturday. During her stay, they also had to drain about 5L of ascites, She is currently on blood thinners to help with the liver clot,

Now she’s too weak for chemo and her oncologist have not gotten back to us.

I have access to her medical files online (only gained access now since I feel like my parents were withholding information from me) and she has a 3 cm mass on the head of her pancreas with liver and lung mets.

Oncologist met with her October 1 and the notes states that chemo was working and disease was stable.

She can’t have chemo right now… what does it mean?

Her current condition/routine: wakes up, eats a very small breakfast, lies on the couch to watch tv/ be on her phone. Lunch is not guaranteed as she has no appetite but she nibble on biscuits or a couple of nuts. She eats a small portion of dinner. Most of the day she’s on the couch and maybe takes a short 5 mins walking break around the house. She also gets diarrhea but she is able to control her bowl movements. She’s able to do everything herself.

Realistically how long do I still have with my mom if she’s not able to receive chemo anymore?

The pathology report from my mom’s Whipple in July showed one lymph node out of 50 positive. I don’t know if it was one that was located close to the tumor, and the margins were negative.

I’ve seen mixed results and data on how prognostic this is. The last healthcare professional I talked to about it was a medical student and he said that it was “very prognostic,” but her surgeon seemed to be more optimistic about it, saying that he has done the surgery for 20 years and seen all kinds of results no matter what the pathology said.

…. Is it actually that prognostic?

My dad's genetic testing came back for his cancer today and he tested positive for lynch syndrome. How freaked out do I need to be about this? ( He was adopted so we are unaware of a lot of genetic history on his side). I am getting different things online about how serious lynch is and I know that you have a 50% chance of developing it as an offspring. How did your family member/ you / friend respond to treatment with lynch syndrome/ was your treatment different? Thank you in advance!!

My mom was diagnosed in March. Artery involvement, Mets to lung. 3rd line chemo now and markers are up. Day of her scans she was rushed to the ER due to a stroke. The neurologist here at the hospital informed us she’s high risk for more clots and does not recommend more chemo, even mentioned some clinical trials will seem her ineligible now due to the stroke.

Her oncologist said she can restart chemo in 2 weeks if she bounces back and depending on the trial she can wait 6 months after the stroke.

What in the actual FUC@ am I supposed to do with that information?

My mother (age 85) was recently diagnosed with stage 2 PC. It appears to be contained in the head of the pancreas so she will be having the Whipple procedure next week, but will not have any chemo due to age. Other than her age, she is in relatively good health and is an excellent, motivated patient.

My question is this: How much care do you think I can anticipate she will need, both while in the hospital and when she gets home? After the first couple of days in the hospital do most people have friends or family stay around the clock? What about when she gets home? I will take any time off needed, but I'm a school teacher so would like to have at least a general idea to let my boss know and apply for FMLA if warranted. My father (age 87) will also be around and can help with getting her up and about if needed, but he is essentially deaf and uses a cane himself so that is of some concern.

I know every case is different so it will be hard to say, but anyone who is willing to share their experiences would be very helpful. So sorry for anyone coping with this horrible disease.

we are not your doctors or therapists.

Lately there are so many ‘none pc diagnosed’ ppl on this sub. This sub is not for your health scares or health anxiety without a diagnosis. This disease is one of the most aggressive cancer out there n ppl here are fighting their toughest fights each day. Please have some respect and vent your anxiety elsewhere. If you have any ideas of what the actual anxiety of having the pc is like… you will be very sorry for your posts.

If you are really worried take ct and start there. If your doctors can’t find anything we probably don’t have much words for you.

These types of ‘none diagnosis post’ can kill this great sub. This sub was there at my darkest hrs w my dad. Please do not kill this great support group.

Hey you, yeah you! The Badass! You!!!

Let's talk about bad ass moments that made us feel unstoppable during our time with this weakling of a sickness!!!

I'll go first! *just incase it doesn't show cause I'm still an n00b with reddit, stage 4 pancreatic and liver cancer patient *

I got diagnosed in 2022 at the age of 30, and during my 6 months of chemo, I had a wisdom tooth that needed to come out really bad. I made my appointment with my dentist at the time, filled him and his staff in that yes I was in the middle of going thru chemo, and that this day was on my off week from it. My dentist at the time was very hesitant, asking me if I was sure I wanted to go thru with them pulling the tooth out while I was going thru such a intense procedure and with what was being pumped into me.

I replied "yes, i am sure. I'm on pain medication and I'll be fine, but please get this out!"

He understands and agrees, I sign the paperwork and then get my numbing agent and like 2 or 3 shots of novacaine into my mouth. He gets the tooth pulling thingy or whatever expensive word it's called, and after about 5 mins of doing his thing, it was out!

Sweet molasses with a side of asses....relief....

Him and a few of his staff stood around me ya know checking to make sure it was all out and I will never forget him telling me "You are seriously one of the strongest and toughest patients I've ever had. To he going thru chemo and braving having a tooth pulled...jesus"

I felt so confident after that.

My other favorite moment has been when I posted my story to a Mass Effect fan group on Facebook, and the flood of comments of people calling me "Bad Ass" "tough" "brave" "strong" And then having people message me or comment that I was an inspiration for them...I cried. I cried so hard because I never knew people would look up to me 🥹 I felt like a Hero.

All my life I wanted to help people. When I'm down and depressed, I like to go back and read those comments and to remind myself that somehow, someway...people like me and were inspired by me.

But enough about me, tell me your Bad Ass Moment Of Bad Assery!!! Anything!!!

Husband 63m platelets are down to 50 . My understanding they won’t do another treatment if they do not get above 100 ? How fast will they go back up ? Monday they were 79 not today Wednesday they are 50? Does anyone know what this means? I know platelets clot the blood. My husband is heading to treatment 12 next week he is take Florafirnox

Hi, we had a recent diagnosis in our family and still trying to get our arms around the diagnosis and next steps. In the meantime, we want a second opinion and have heard fantastic things about Dr. John Chabot at The Pancreas Center at Columbia.

Has anyone recently been treated there and any tips for getting an appointment quickly?! Is there someone we can reach out to directly vs the generic phone line?

Thank you so much ❤️

Hi everyone,

My mother had a whipple done in 2016- benign tumor on duodenum. Also got gallbladder removed.

Her weight has been around 110-104 over the last couple of years .

However as of last year , we have noticed a drastic weight difference.

More even so last few months

Today I weighed her and she is 92 lbs.

She had a mri done on abdomen few years ago and it was normal .

Labs are normal but protein is low which makes sense since she’s so small .

The severe weight loss kind of happened quickly and she’s becoming more fatigued by the day .

I am terrified that something else can be going on.

She has a ct pending and lab work stool test etc is there anything I should be testing her for ?

Please help. I am torn with seeing what’s happening to her 🥺.

She’s also on the insulin pump and does eat quite a lot but there is no weight gain at all. Just weight loss