Hi,
My brother just found out he has pancreatic cancer, he doesn’t know which type yet, finds out tomorrow. This comes at a time when he was going to have our 91 year old Mother move in with his wife and him. She is starting to go senile, she is currently living alone and still driving…
So dealing with both of those tenuous situations at once.
He seems to be taking it well, kind of consigned to the fact, but willing to fight to get better.
The surgery went well today, at least they removed the tumor and put in a stint to drain the bile that was building up in his body.
Then our Mother decided to tell him she was driving out, around 400 miles to visit, so that upset him even more. I called her up and told her to cool it, he needs positive support not her wacky ideas. It seems with some people that it always has to be about them, my other brother is the same way, can’t we just support the family member dying of cancer?
Anyway, if you can send good thoughts and prayers his way, I would appreciate it.
Oh I am so sorry Jon. Lots of good thoughts and everything else winging its way to him. And yes I so know about the family members who make everything about them too. Tedious in the extreme sometimes. However do remember 91 year old mothers starting to go senile get really frightened when one of their children is as ill as your brother is right now. Big cyber hugs to all of you.
Hi Jon. So sorry about your brother. Interestingly, my dental hygienist’s mom has/had pancreatic cancer a year ago and she had “whipple” surgery and 6 months of chemo and she’s doing well. I had never heard of any type of surgery that could stop pancreatic cancer, but I guess this is possible for some types—I hope for your brother! Glad to hear he has a fighting spirit!
I don’t really know you, but I’ve had cancer and just wanted to say that cancer fighters are strong, tough survivors and your brother will be one, too. I will send positive thoughts and prayers his and your way. I am sorry to hear about this, as I know the news is never something any family member or person wants to hear. I am sending you the biggest hug and I seriously know your brother will be a survivor to add to the community. Tell him to visit csn (cancer survivor network csn.cancer.org) - there are forums for each type of cancer and tremendous support there.
Latest development; my brother just wrote me this evening, that now the doctors are questioning if it is cancer. I had originally suggested to my brother that he may have a rare autoimmune disease that attacks the pancreas, it mimics cancer, even has a tumor also, but is benign. They didn’t get a good needle biopsy when they put in the shunt, they could only get a couple of cells, so were not able to give a Dx on what the tumor is. The latest blood work is not reflecting cancer. It is to early to know, but is tentatively good news, they won’t be doing surgery for another 2 weeks, so they will not know until then. They want to have the echo cardiogram and EKG done before he goes into surgery, also the previous surgery needs to heal some more before they go back in.
But all in all it gives my brother more hope!
Gosh that certainly is hopeful. What is the rare auto-immune disease?
Good luck, maybe it is not cancer.
When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer I sort of just wanted people to say good luck. The well meaning wacka-doodles were the worst.
They say they got all of it and I’m good now, except nothing works.
I wish you and your brother all the luck.
Thanks, he is getting another MRI, the surgeon sure is dragging his feet, he must not be to concerned.
Now the surgeon flipped on him again and said he is treating it like cancer, they may have to remove the Pancreas and the spleen. The surgeon said it is a large mass, and the surgery could take up to 12 hours. I encouraged him, that they have to give you the worse case scenario, but it does sound bad…
Cyber hugs for your brother. But it sounds like they should do something soon, shouldn’t they?
You would think… i think the site had to heal from the last surgery? I kind of think if this was City of Hope hospital they would be faster at getting to this, but Arizona is not your top notch hospital.
Oh Jon, I’m so sorry to hear this. The news is bad enough, but the uncertainty is what makes it difficult to deal with. And then add the situation with your Mom, and it’s ultra high stress.
You are in our thoughts, as is your your brother and your mother as well. Your mom is 91 and driving out from where to where? Just thinking about that …
Hang in there Jon, and keep us in the loop.
Thanks, I hope we have curtailed our Mom from her great adventure, but she might just surprise us all, not only did she want to drive the 800 miles, but also car camp on the way.
My brothers surgery is in two weeks, but they still have not finalized it yet. Backwoods hospitals, I am spoiled by having Scripps la Jolla so close and in my insurance area.
So his surgery is next Tuesday, could be a game changer… hope he pulls through all right. If he survived the surgery, and they remove his pancreas and spleen, that will complicate his living condition, as he will be on insulin and need to supplement his enzymes. In retrospect, he probably should have had annual check ups after his first bout with pancreatitis…
Prayers for your brother and you!
Yes I hope it goes OK for him.
All the best Jon
My brother had a successful surgery, it lasted 10 hours. They had to remove part of his pancreas, he lost 4 units of blood during the surgery, but pulled through. Sounds like it was pretty dicey… He has chemo to deal with now.
Glad he’s pulled through. Cyber hugs for him.
Praise God! Thank you Lord! Prayers continue.