Pancreatic cancer

A close friend has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and it looks
like it has spread to his liver. Next week he's going to have a laser-guided
biopsy.

Does anyone know if the results of those biopsies come through fairly
quickly?

He was sent home from hospital on Tuesday after being in there for 13 days,
but he's very weak and really can't look after himself, he's lost his
appetite, can't or won't eat etc.

From what I've read online the prognosis seems to be about the same as
cancer of the oesophagus - ie not very good.

Has anyone here any experience of pancreatic cancer and give any advice? I'm
not looking for miracles - I think it's a bit too late for that

Splodge

Splodge wrote:

> A close friend has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and it looks
> like it has spread to his liver. Next week he's going to have a laser-guided
> biopsy.
>
> Does anyone know if the results of those biopsies come through fairly
> quickly?
>
> He was sent home from hospital on Tuesday after being in there for 13 days,
> but he's very weak and really can't look after himself, he's lost his
> appetite, can't or won't eat etc.
>
> From what I've read online the prognosis seems to be about the same as
> cancer of the oesophagus - ie not very good.
>
> Has anyone here any experience of pancreatic cancer and give any advice? I'm
> not looking for miracles - I think it's a bit too late for that
>
> Splodge

Hello Splodge
I'm sorry to hear about your friend.
The prognosis for pancreatic cancer is worse than esophageal?
It's similar to bile duct cancer, which can be involved with pancreatic cancer.
Get a 2nd opinion before considering surgery; it's often more extensive (and/or
too hard on the body) than first thought
Time may be short. Help him get his affairs in order and make sure there's no
loose ends that he's forgotten about.
I would think the biopsy result would be fairly quick, but might not show the
extent (see above).
J

Splodge wrote:

> A close friend has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and it looks
> like it has spread to his liver. Next week he's going to have a laser-guided
> biopsy.
>
> Does anyone know if the results of those biopsies come through fairly
> quickly?
>
> He was sent home from hospital on Tuesday after being in there for 13 days,
> but he's very weak and really can't look after himself, he's lost his
> appetite, can't or won't eat etc.
>
> From what I've read online the prognosis seems to be about the same as
> cancer of the oesophagus - ie not very good.
>
> Has anyone here any experience of pancreatic cancer and give any advice? I'm
> not looking for miracles - I think it's a bit too late for that
>
> Splodge

Splodge,
Stay wth us if you'd like us to support you and he through you, on an ongoing
basis.
Is he in UK as well?
There's others here from UK too.
J

"J" <nswex@nalid;non> wrote in message
news:4791BD6B.D21EB842@execulink.com...
> Splodge wrote:
>
>> A close friend has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and it
>> looks
>> like it has spread to his liver. Next week he's going to have a
>> laser-guided
>> biopsy.
>>
>> Does anyone know if the results of those biopsies come through fairly
>> quickly?
>>
>> He was sent home from hospital on Tuesday after being in there for 13
>> days,
>> but he's very weak and really can't look after himself, he's lost his
>> appetite, can't or won't eat etc.
>>
>> From what I've read online the prognosis seems to be about the same as
>> cancer of the oesophagus - ie not very good.
>>
>> Has anyone here any experience of pancreatic cancer and give any advice?
>> I'm
>> not looking for miracles - I think it's a bit too late for that
>>
>> Splodge
>
> Splodge,
> Stay wth us if you'd like us to support you and he through you, on an
> ongoing
> basis.
> Is he in UK as well?
> There's others here from UK too.
> J

Thank you J. Yes, he's on the south coast and is very poorly indeed. He
needs to be back in hossie but is refusing to go - at the moment......
Will try and post more as and when.
Splodge

Splodge wrote:

> "J" <nswex@nalid;non> wrote in message
> news:4791BD6B.D21EB842@execulink.com...
> > Splodge wrote:
> >
> >> A close friend has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and it
> >> looks
> >> like it has spread to his liver. Next week he's going to have a
> >> laser-guided biopsy.
> >>
> >> Does anyone know if the results of those biopsies come through fairly
> >> quickly?
> >>
> >> He was sent home from hospital on Tuesday after being in there for 13
> >> days,
> >> but he's very weak and really can't look after himself, he's lost his
> >> appetite, can't or won't eat etc.
> >>
> >> From what I've read online the prognosis seems to be about the same as
> >> cancer of the oesophagus - ie not very good.
> >>
> >> Has anyone here any experience of pancreatic cancer and give any advice?
> >> I'm not looking for miracles - I think it's a bit too late for that
> >>
> [...]
>
> Thank you J. Yes, he's on the south coast and is very poorly indeed. He
> needs to be back in hossie but is refusing to go - at the moment......
> Will try and post more as and when.
> Splodge

I've got so many questions, I don't know where to start, but I'll try.
How did he come to end up in hospital? GP referred him due to pain, severe
weight loss or jaundice?
Does he have a GP nearby? No one to help him at home?
Dio you live nearby ? And trying to care for him?
Is he in pain? Or got pain pills?
I"ve never lived in UK, but found a map.
There seems to be Plymouth Community Specialist Palliative Care Team
http://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/Co...0NursingR.html

Or the Rowans Hospice with outreach into the Portsmouth community

There's also Marie Curie, but I haven't checked locations they cover.
http://www.mariecurie.org.uk/
(I don't know if I'm looking in the right areas, but what I'm saying is there
may be local help for him)
His GP would be of help with this, if he has one.

Why won't he go back to hospital?
I'll try to be as helpful as possible.
J

> I've got so many questions, I don't know where to start, but I'll try.
> How did he come to end up in hospital? GP referred him due to pain,
> severe
> weight loss or jaundice?
> Does he have a GP nearby? No one to help him at home?
> Dio you live nearby ? And trying to care for him?
> Is he in pain? Or got pain pills?
> I"ve never lived in UK, but found a map.
> There seems to be Plymouth Community Specialist Palliative Care Team
> http://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/Co...0NursingR.html
>
> Or the Rowans Hospice with outreach into the Portsmouth community
>
> There's also Marie Curie, but I haven't checked locations they cover.
> http://www.mariecurie.org.uk/
> (I don't know if I'm looking in the right areas, but what I'm saying is
> there
> may be local help for him)
> His GP would be of help with this, if he has one.
>
> Why won't he go back to hospital?
> I'll try to be as helpful as possible.
> J
>
I'll do my best to answer your questions, J, but I'm pleased to say things
have moved fast since it was diagnosed. A care package is now in place, with
carers/nurses visiting three times a day and making sure they stay to watch
him eat. This coming week he is due to have a laser-guided biopsy and will
be staying in hossie at least overnight. They have also introduced his
sister and myself to the hospital liaison lady who will be able to help re
MacMillans etc as time goes on.
He lost his appetite (totally) about 18 months ago and has struggled to eat
since then. He lives alone (age 75) and has not been eating properly so was
very weak when his doctor saw him again after New Year. He lives in
Lee-on-Solent, and is as stubborn as hell lol. I can't visit often as I'm
disabled and live 50 miles away.
Those links were really useful as it's nice to know what sort of help is
available.
Thank you
Splodge

Splodge wrote:

> I'll do my best to answer your questions, J, but I'm pleased to say things
> have moved fast since it was diagnosed. A care package is now in place, with
> carers/nurses visiting three times a day and making sure they stay to watch
> him eat. This coming week he is due to have a laser-guided biopsy and will
> be staying in hossie at least overnight. They have also introduced his
> sister and myself to the hospital liaison lady who will be able to help re
> MacMillans etc as time goes on.
> He lost his appetite (totally) about 18 months ago and has struggled to eat
> since then. He lives alone (age 75) and has not been eating properly so was
> very weak when his doctor saw him again after New Year. He lives in
> Lee-on-Solent, and is as stubborn as hell lol. I can't visit often as I'm
> disabled and live 50 miles away.
> Those links were really useful as it's nice to know what sort of help is
> available.
> Thank you
> Splodge

Thank you for answering my questions.
Wow. 18 months, 75 year old. I wonder if adenocarcinomas of the pancreas grow
slower in the elderly or if he's got a slower growing type?
http://162.129.103.53/pancreas/typtable.cfm (question for the surgeon).

Is this the NHS? It's hard for me to believe they'd put him through the risks of
surgery, being very weak and can't look after himself. Sure, he'd have
aftercare, but I wouldn't want to see him end his days in hospital.
If he's happier where he is...

I wonder what they hope to achieve? What's the recovery time? Is he going to
feel better or worse, after the surgery? (questions for surgeon/doctor)

Here's some links
< http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/art...?artid=1358047 >
Says "Overall median survival was 19 months" and "Morbidity and mortality rates,
although slightly greater than for patients who are older than 70 years, are
acceptable."

You might want to do some reading here
<
http://www.surgery.usc.edu/divisions...0pancreas.html
>
and some of the relevant sections down the right side.

Whose got his Medical Power of Attorney? His sister? I wonder if you could help
(provide her) with some questions to ask the doctors.
How's she feeling / coping ?

You're welcome, for the other links.
However, it sounds like he's getting very good care at home as it is now. I'm
pleased to read that.
J

J wrote:

> Here's some links
> < http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/art...?artid=1358047 >
> Says "Overall median survival was 19 months" and "Morbidity and mortality rates,
> although slightly greater than for patients who are older than 70 years, are
> acceptable."

This is more recent and more detailled than the one above
http://archsurg.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/141/2/137.pdf
6 pages - Format Adobe Acrobat
J

"J" <nswex@nalid;non> wrote in message
news:47933FDE.7B608B1C@execulink.com...
>J wrote:
>
>> Here's some links
>> < http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/art...?artid=1358047 >
>> Says "Overall median survival was 19 months" and "Morbidity and mortality
>> rates,
>> although slightly greater than for patients who are older than 70 years,
>> are
>> acceptable."
>
> This is more recent and more detailled than the one above
> http://archsurg.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/141/2/137.pdf
> 6 pages - Format Adobe Acrobat
> J


Thanks for the links J. There's certainly lots to read there, and I've
bookmarked them. I'll also pass them onto his sister as I don't think I'll
be going down to see him for a week or maybe two.

Splodge

"Splodge" <sport.last@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:5vcmenF1lijvvU1@mid.individual.net...
>A close friend has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and it
>looks like it has spread to his liver. Next week he's going to have a
>laser-guided biopsy.
>
> Does anyone know if the results of those biopsies come through fairly
> quickly?
>
> He was sent home from hospital on Tuesday after being in there for 13
> days, but he's very weak and really can't look after himself, he's
> lost his appetite, can't or won't eat etc.
>
> From what I've read online the prognosis seems to be about the same as
> cancer of the oesophagus - ie not very good.
>
> Has anyone here any experience of pancreatic cancer and give any
> advice? I'm not looking for miracles - I think it's a bit too late for
> that
>
> Splodge
>
This blog shows we are not really alone in this fight. It might provide
some information for us on our adventure.

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/index.html

<a
href="http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/index.html">http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/index.html</a>

BetsyB

"betsyb" <betsy958@optonline.com> wrote in message
news:fn7o5c020br@news3.newsguy.com...
>
> "Splodge" <sport.last@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
> news:5vcmenF1lijvvU1@mid.individual.net...
>>A close friend has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and it looks
>>like it has spread to his liver. Next week he's going to have a
>>laser-guided biopsy.
>>
>> Does anyone know if the results of those biopsies come through fairly
>> quickly?
>>
>> He was sent home from hospital on Tuesday after being in there for 13
>> days, but he's very weak and really can't look after himself, he's lost
>> his appetite, can't or won't eat etc.
>>
>> From what I've read online the prognosis seems to be about the same as
>> cancer of the oesophagus - ie not very good.
>>
>> Has anyone here any experience of pancreatic cancer and give any advice?
>> I'm not looking for miracles - I think it's a bit too late for that
>>
>> Splodge
>>
> This blog shows we are not really alone in this fight. It might provide
> some information for us on our adventure.
>
> http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/index.html
>
> <a
> href="http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/index.html">http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/index.html</a>
>

That's interesting to read Betsy - thank you for the link. He sounds like a
very brave chap, and very positive.
Splodge

betsyb wrote:

> "Splodge" <sport.last@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
> news:5vcmenF1lijvvU1@mid.individual.net...
> >A close friend has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and it
> >looks like it has spread to his liver. Next week he's going to have a
> >laser-guided biopsy.
> >
> > Does anyone know if the results of those biopsies come through fairly
> > quickly?
> >
> > He was sent home from hospital on Tuesday after being in there for 13
> > days, but he's very weak and really can't look after himself, he's
> > lost his appetite, can't or won't eat etc.
> >
> > From what I've read online the prognosis seems to be about the same as
> > cancer of the oesophagus - ie not very good.
> >
> > Has anyone here any experience of pancreatic cancer and give any
> > advice? I'm not looking for miracles - I think it's a bit too late for
> > that
> >
> > Splodge
> >
> This blog shows we are not really alone in this fight. It might provide
> some information for us on our adventure.
>
> http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/index.html

Goodness me ! He must have been really healthy.
Scuba diving after toxic treatment: ' a nation-wide trial was shut down because several patients died from
the treatment." Then he spent 2 months in hospital at MD Anderson. - receiving a whole slew of
treatments.
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/shortsummary.html It's a shorter summary. "The next four months of chemo
(continuous infusion 5-FU) was back in Pittsburgh, through May 2007."
In August it had spread to his liver and spleen (10 tumors on his liver, I read elsewhere).
At that time, they gave him 3 - 6 months "of healthy living".

There's no entries for January. Maybe it's because he moved back to Virginia.
The man's famous - he's got his own wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Pausch

Thanks for that, Betsy.
I'd never heard of him before.
J

"J" <nswex@nalid;non> wrote in message
news:47979C93.1772CC49@execulink.com...
> betsyb wrote:
>
>> "Splodge" <sport.last@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
>> news:5vcmenF1lijvvU1@mid.individual.net...
>> >A close friend has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and it
>> >looks like it has spread to his liver. Next week he's going to have
>> >a
>> >laser-guided biopsy.
>> >
>> > Does anyone know if the results of those biopsies come through
>> > fairly
>> > quickly?
>> >
>> > He was sent home from hospital on Tuesday after being in there for
>> > 13
>> > days, but he's very weak and really can't look after himself, he's
>> > lost his appetite, can't or won't eat etc.
>> >
>> > From what I've read online the prognosis seems to be about the same
>> > as
>> > cancer of the oesophagus - ie not very good.
>> >
>> > Has anyone here any experience of pancreatic cancer and give any
>> > advice? I'm not looking for miracles - I think it's a bit too late
>> > for
>> > that
>> >
>> > Splodge
>> >
>> This blog shows we are not really alone in this fight. It might
>> provide
>> some information for us on our adventure.
>>
>> http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/index.html
>
> Goodness me ! He must have been really healthy.
> Scuba diving after toxic treatment: ' a nation-wide trial was shut
> down because several patients died from
> the treatment." Then he spent 2 months in hospital at MD Anderson. -
> receiving a whole slew of
> treatments.
> http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/shortsummary.html It's a shorter
> summary. "The next four months of chemo
> (continuous infusion 5-FU) was back in Pittsburgh, through May 2007."
> In August it had spread to his liver and spleen (10 tumors on his
> liver, I read elsewhere).
> At that time, they gave him 3 - 6 months "of healthy living".
>
> There's no entries for January. Maybe it's because he moved back to
> Virginia.
> The man's famous - he's got his own wikipedia
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Pausch
>
> Thanks for that, Betsy.
> I'd never heard of him before.
> J
>
>
Me either. I found the link on another newsgroup. Dinner time, later.

Betsy

"Splodge" <sport.last@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:5vphrhF1nsg37U1@mid.individual.net...
>
> "betsyb" <betsy958@optonline.com> wrote in message
> news:fn7o5c020br@news3.newsguy.com...
>>
>> "Splodge" <sport.last@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
>> news:5vcmenF1lijvvU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>A close friend has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and it
>>>looks like it has spread to his liver. Next week he's going to have a
>>>laser-guided biopsy.
>>>
>>> Does anyone know if the results of those biopsies come through
>>> fairly quickly?
>>>
>>> He was sent home from hospital on Tuesday after being in there for
>>> 13 days, but he's very weak and really can't look after himself,
>>> he's lost his appetite, can't or won't eat etc.
>>>
>>> From what I've read online the prognosis seems to be about the same
>>> as cancer of the oesophagus - ie not very good.
>>>
>>> Has anyone here any experience of pancreatic cancer and give any
>>> advice? I'm not looking for miracles - I think it's a bit too late
>>> for that
>>>
>>> Splodge
>>>
>> This blog shows we are not really alone in this fight. It might
>> provide some information for us on our adventure.
>>
>> http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/index.html
>>
>> <a
>> href="http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/index.html">http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/index.html</a>
>>
>
> That's interesting to read Betsy - thank you for the link. He sounds
> like a very brave chap, and very positive.
> Splodge
>

That is the same thoughts I had and thought it might come in handy.
Betsy

"J" <nswex@nalid;non> wrote in message
news:47979C93.1772CC49@execulink.com...
> betsyb wrote:
>
>> "Splodge" <sport.last@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
>> news:5vcmenF1lijvvU1@mid.individual.net...
>> >A close friend has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and it
>> >looks like it has spread to his liver. Next week he's going to have a
>> >laser-guided biopsy.
>> >
>> > Does anyone know if the results of those biopsies come through fairly
>> > quickly?
>> >
>> > He was sent home from hospital on Tuesday after being in there for 13
>> > days, but he's very weak and really can't look after himself, he's
>> > lost his appetite, can't or won't eat etc.
>> >
>> > From what I've read online the prognosis seems to be about the same as
>> > cancer of the oesophagus - ie not very good.
>> >
>> > Has anyone here any experience of pancreatic cancer and give any
>> > advice? I'm not looking for miracles - I think it's a bit too late for
>> > that
>> >
>> > Splodge
>> >
>> This blog shows we are not really alone in this fight. It might provide
>> some information for us on our adventure.
>>
>> http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/index.html
>
> Goodness me ! He must have been really healthy.
> Scuba diving after toxic treatment: ' a nation-wide trial was shut down
> because several patients died from
> the treatment." Then he spent 2 months in hospital at MD Anderson. -
> receiving a whole slew of
> treatments.
> http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/shortsummary.html It's a shorter summary.
> "The next four months of chemo
> (continuous infusion 5-FU) was back in Pittsburgh, through May 2007."
> In August it had spread to his liver and spleen (10 tumors on his liver, I
> read elsewhere).
> At that time, they gave him 3 - 6 months "of healthy living".
>
> There's no entries for January. Maybe it's because he moved back to
> Virginia.
> The man's famous - he's got his own wikipedia
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Pausch
>
> Thanks for that, Betsy.
> I'd never heard of him before.
> J
>
>If you haven't heard his "Last Lecture", given at Carnegile Mellon
>University in September, you really owe it to yourself to go listen. The
>video takes about an hour and a half so be sure to allow plenty of time to
>watch the whole thing. I have watched it several times and am so impressed
>with this man. There are several sites that have the video but this is the
>best I've found: http://cmu.blip.tv/file/461472/ . Be sure to turn the
>sound up a bit so you don't miss some of the little side comments - and be
>sure to watch full screen.
....................sherry

sherry wrote:

> "J" <nswex@nalid;non> wrote in message
> > betsyb wrote:
> >> This blog shows we are not really alone in this fight. It might provide
> >> some information for us on our adventure.
> >>
> >> http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/index.html
> >
> > The man's famous - he's got his own wikipedia
> > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Pausch
> >
> > Thanks for that, Betsy.
> > I'd never heard of him before.
> > J
> >
> If you haven't heard his "Last Lecture", given at Carnegile Mellon
> University in September, you really owe it to yourself to go listen. The
> video takes about an hour and a half so be sure to allow plenty of time to
> watch the whole thing. I have watched it several times and am so impressed
> with this man. There are several sites that have the video but this is the
> best I've found: http://cmu.blip.tv/file/461472/ . Be sure to turn the
> sound up a bit so you don't miss some of the little side comments - and be
> sure to watch full screen.
> ...................sherry

Thanks Sherry,
I can't watch because of slow dialup, but maybe others will.
And how are you doing? We don't hear very often from you.
(Here's where you tell the readers you were cured by surgery, right?)
J

"J" <nswex@nalid;non> wrote in message
news:4799A633.A057A112@execulink.com...
> sherry wrote:
>
>> "J" <nswex@nalid;non> wrote in message
>> > betsyb wrote:
>> >> This blog shows we are not really alone in this fight. It might
>> >> provide
>> >> some information for us on our adventure.
>> >>
>> >> http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/index.html
>> >
>> > The man's famous - he's got his own wikipedia
>> > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Pausch
>> >
>> > Thanks for that, Betsy.
>> > I'd never heard of him before.
>> > J
>> >
>> If you haven't heard his "Last Lecture", given at Carnegile Mellon
>> University in September, you really owe it to yourself to go listen. The
>> video takes about an hour and a half so be sure to allow plenty of time
>> to
>> watch the whole thing. I have watched it several times and am so
>> impressed
>> with this man. There are several sites that have the video but this is
>> the
>> best I've found: http://cmu.blip.tv/file/461472/ . Be sure to turn the
>> sound up a bit so you don't miss some of the little side comments - and
>> be
>> sure to watch full screen.
>> ...................sherry
>
> Thanks Sherry,
> I can't watch because of slow dialup, but maybe others will.
> And how are you doing? We don't hear very often from you.
> (Here's where you tell the readers you were cured by surgery, right?)
> J
>
>

Can't you go to a library and watch? The man is impressive and worth the
extra trip.

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 Splodge wrote:

> > J wrote: I've got so many questions, I don't know where to start, but I'll
> try.
> > How did he come to end up in hospital?
> > Does he have a GP nearby? No one to help him at home?
> > Dio you live nearby ? And trying to care for him?
> >
> > Why won't he go back to hospital?
> >
> I'll do my best to answer your questions, J, but I'm pleased to say things
> have moved fast since it was diagnosed. A care package is now in place, with
> carers/nurses visiting three times a day and making sure they stay to watch
> him eat. This coming week he is due to have a laser-guided biopsy and will
> be staying in hossie at least overnight. They have also introduced his
> sister and myself to the hospital liaison lady who will be able to help re
> MacMillans etc as time goes on.
> He lost his appetite (totally) about 18 months ago and has struggled to eat
> since then. He lives alone (age 75) and has not been eating properly so was
> very weak when his doctor saw him again after New Year. He lives in
> Lee-on-Solent, and is as stubborn as hell lol. I can't visit often as I'm
> disabled and live 50 miles away.
> Those links were really useful as it's nice to know what sort of help is
> available.
> Thank you
> Splodge

You've been quiet, Splodge,
How are you doing?

And news of your friend?
How did things go with the biopsy?

J - thinking of you