Asking for a little prayer...

[pll]

Cancer S U C K S!

+1 with Emily.

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive beast. Use this weekend to learn everything possible about it -- if you cannot access a published paper, some of us might be able to. I'd work the phones this weekend trying to get the names of the best surgical oncologist for a Whipple procedure, the best place for chemo... Is she in the Chicago area? Some of us could ask, too. I would not mess around with it. I'm very aware the news is shocking, but you need to put that aside and get ready for a battle.

[DebSP]

Hugs and prayers to you and your family.

[Brandi]

Try to think good healing thoughts as much possible even when it doesn't seem like you can anymore. Enjoy your sister and the time spent with her and don't dwell on what is happening unless she wants to talk about it. None of us know what is going to take us out which is why everyday should be spent like it is our last. And don't avoid her and make sure other people don't. I have had experience with friends and family saying "Oh they are going through so much I don't want to bug them" then the one who is sick is wondering where everyone is (seriously)
. This is the time when they should be all around her giving her love and support.
I will say a healing prayer and include her in my thoughts today. I am on a job on an island so I will take a moment and look out over the ocean and send healing thoughts her way!(((((hugs))))) Take deep breaths!

[nscrbug]

+1 with Emily.

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive beast. Use this weekend to learn everything possible about it -- if you cannot access a published paper, some of us might be able to. I'd work the phones this weekend trying to get the names of the best surgical oncologist for a Whipple procedure, the best place for chemo... Is she in the Chicago area? Some of us could ask, too. I would not mess around with it. I'm very aware the news is shocking, but you need to put that aside and get ready for a battle.

Yes, we are just on the outskirts of Chicago...about 12 miles west of the city. A friend of mine has an uncle that is a doctor at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and she asked her uncle for the name of the best cancer doctor on their staff. He came back with Dr. Steven Rosen - he is head of the cancer center. So far, that is the only name I've gotten...and I am encouraging my sister to see him as a 2nd opinion. The oncologist that my sister has an appointment with on Monday, is out of Elmhurst Memorial (which is where her GI doc is from)...her name is Dr. Amaryllis Gil. If there is anyone from the Chicagoland area that has any other doctor suggestions, please let me know. Thanks!

Linda

[indysteel]

Linda, this is all so sad to read. I hope you're hanging in there. Start rallying all the troops if you can. I've had some good friends go through similar things and everyone stepped up to make meals, do yardwork and cleaning and the like so that they didn't have to worry about anything other than their health. Facebook is a great tool for this. It's sometimes hard to ask for help, but those that love your sister and you will be chomping at the bit for something constructive to do to help.

I'll keep you guys in my prayers. I'm truly sorry you're having to go through this.

[ASammy1]

((((Linda and sister)))) Thinking of you guys. Keep us posted on what comes from the appointment on Monday.

Cancer truly does suck

[pll]

Some information sent via a PM.

[redrhodie]

I'm thinking about you and your sister right now. I hope today's appointment goes well! Sending positive vibes!

[GLC1968]

Wow, Linda - that sucks. I'm sorry to hear this. I hope today's appointment holds some good news for you both.

I'll be thinking of you!

[Desert Tortoise]

Linda, I'm so sorry. I don't have any information to share but I do have my prayers and I'm a big believer in those.

It will be a long road with lots of ups and downs. With a good medical team and the love and support of friends and family (fellow TErs), the burden will lighten.

You are in my prayers,
dt

[nscrbug]

So today's appointment with the medical oncologist was...in my sister's own words..."a real slap in the face". Yeah...it's bad. The tumor is in the body of the pancreas and is wrapped around several important blood vessels that feed other nearby organs...therefore, it cannot be removed. Because of this, it is classified as Stage III cancer. Ironically, it has not spread to other areas...that we know of. But because of the blood vessels involved, it's a serious situation. Obviously, we will be seeking a 2nd opinion with a surgical oncologist to determine if it really is inoperable. As for prognosis, the doctor didn't seem like she wanted to pinpoint a timeframe, but kept throwing out "10.5 months" as an "average"...and that was WITH a chemo/radiation program.

I still have hope that seeing a surgical oncologist might see things differently and be able to offer another option for her. She is due to get a detailed CT scan of the pancreas on Wednesday, to get a clearer image of the blood vessels...hopefully this scan will bring a glimmer of hope.

Thank you all again for your thoughts & prayers!

Linda

[indysteel]

Wow, Linda. That's a lot for you and your sister to take in. I hope the CT scan proves helpful and more hopeful than today's consult. I'm sure I speak for everyone here in saying that we're rooting for her. Thoughts and prayers and (((()))).

[zoom-zoom]

Wow, Linda. That's a lot for you and your sister to take in. I hope the CT scan proves helpful and more hopeful than today's consult. I'm sure I speak for everyone here in saying that we're rooting for her. Thoughts and prayers and (((()))).

For certain. (((Linda))) I hope the 2nd opinion gives a more positive prognosis for your sister.

[wannaduacentury]

I just learned this evening, that my older sister has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She is 51yo...we are 7 years apart. I'm not sure how to even process this devastating news. She just had her biopsy on Tuesday, and today she was informed that there were cancer cells found in the biopsy. The next step is for her to see an oncologist to discuss how advanced it is and treatment options. I know this is an aggressive and very deadly form of cancer that progresses quickly, but that's all I really know about it. Can anyone here shed some light on this? Thanks.

Linda

Big hugs to both of you. I'm truly sorry to hear this. My dad had this type of cancer. I'll keep in my prayers. Jennifer

[nscrbug]

So my sister cancelled her CT scan that was scheduled for today because she did manage to snag an appointment with a 2nd opinion doctor at Northwestern Memorial - a comprehensive cancer center here in IL. Her appointment isn't until Friday, June 17th...but they scheduled her for their own comprehensive CT scan this Friday, June 10th. Then on Monday, the 13th, she meets with another medical oncologist...before finally meeting with the surgical oncologist on the 17th. It seems like a long waiting process, but I suppose that is to be expected when you are dealing with one of the best cancer centers in the entire state. She has actually been going to work these past few days because she is bored sitting around the house. She says the Vicodin is keeping the pain at bay, for the most part.

Anyways, that is the latest scoop.

Linda