Pancreatic Cancer

rican4u2002 · 09-20-2009, 06:11 PM

I am currently battling pancreatic cancer and I am extremely scared. I have a lot of support and such don't get me wrong but I do know that it is the most aggressive cancer and that scares me even more. I don't really know why I am posting this, I guess just to see if there are ways to kind of cope with this. I know it hit hard with my family, friends and my fiance(who cries everytime we talk about it) and though I don't show it, it definitely has hit me harder the most.

I do constantly try to be strong and be positive but it's hard. Patrick Swayze died from it after 2 years, and I keep thinking what if I only have 2 years to live....it scares me so badly. I do constantly try to avoid talking about it, and bringing it up but deep down I know I can't continue to do that.

doiiiieeezie · 09-20-2009, 06:21 PM

I am so sorry to hear... how long have you been diagnosed? What stage? Etc.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the more aggressive cancers, but there is always a chance for survival. Eliminating toxins and carcinogens from your body as well as a steady nutrient rich diet does help- I assume that you have looked into other forms of treatment as well?

There are some great help centers for cancer patients such as Wellspring that can help you and your family. I'm not sure what is in your area... but I'm sure that your doctor or nurse can help you find these methods of therapy.

I wish you all the best and will keep you in my prayers.

HeartGoesOn · 09-20-2009, 06:22 PM

I'm sorry to hear that, and you're extremely young to have that type of CA. When were you diagnosed, and what kinds of treatment are you receiving?

rican4u2002 · 09-20-2009, 06:31 PM

Well back in August there was a cancerous tumor found in my stomach, but it was removed however it did spread to my pancreas. So about the end of August I've been diagnosed. It's still an early stage that I have the option to do surgery to remove it, though the longer I wait they are saying the best bet is to do chemo.

@ doiiiieeezie: The hospital I'm at has a good cancer center within it so I've been going there

TennesseeGirl · 09-20-2009, 06:35 PM

First, I am so sorry to hear you are diagnosed with what is known to be an aggressive form of cancer. I really feel for you.

Not sure where you are getting your medical care, but at the big cancer centers in my city, they have psychologists and therapists who have special training in working with people facing serious illnesses like yours. Your doctors who are treating your cancer should be able to give you the names of these type of therapists. These folks will be able to offer you a lot of understanding and comfort for what you are going through. They will have met with hundreds of cancer patients over the years of their career and will really be able to help you through this difficult time in your life.

I think you will find it very comforting to be able to talk openly about all of your feelings with someone like this. It can be hard for family members to cope with both their own feelings about what you are going through as well as yours - so a therapist is someone where you don't have to worry about their feelings - they are just there to support you.

In addition, you might find a cancer support group helpful. Either in person or on-line. Depending on what you are most comfortable with.

Best wishes to you!

Misskitty16 · 09-20-2009, 06:42 PM

You sound like it was caught fairly early and you say you are involved with a good cancer center - I know it's hard (I was recently diagnosed with a different kind of cancer) and thinking of Swayze doesn't help - but there ARE survivors of this type of cancer.
Please keep us posted - You are going to have the surgery?

rican4u2002 · 09-20-2009, 06:43 PM

Thank you TennesseeGirl

Yeah my doctors did give me a name of a therapist who specializes in this and I haven't given her a call yet due to school but I will this week.

I do sometimes, but just to see the initial reaction is hard. When I told my fiance, I heard him broke down and cry and it nearly broke my heart. It's hard seeing the people I love try and cope with this.

I have tried looking for online support groups, and rl ones as well

rican4u2002 · 09-20-2009, 06:45 PM

@ MissKitty: Despite the risk yeah I think I will and hope for the best. I will definitely keep you posted, and yeah luckily it was caught early. I'm just hoping it isn't spreading fast

Misskitty16 · 09-20-2009, 06:46 PM

I don't know anyone who had PC, but if it helps, I can tell you that my aunt is a breast cancer survivor 10 years now and my friend a survivor of lung cancer about 8 years now.

My aunts tumor was a grade 3 which is very fast spreading and still she beat it.

Crazyaboutdogs · 09-20-2009, 07:03 PM

I am very sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Cancer is also tough on the families as well. Much research is being done not only on helping the patients through it but also families and caregivers.

I found this website:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Also, check this out:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

09-20-2009, 06:11 PM	#1
rican4u2002 Offline Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New York Gender: Female Age: 22 Posts: 53	Pancreatic Cancer I am currently battling pancreatic cancer and I am extremely scared. I have a lot of support and such don't get me wrong but I do know that it is the most aggressive cancer and that scares me even more. I don't really know why I am posting this, I guess just to see if there are ways to kind of cope with this. I know it hit hard with my family, friends and my fiance(who cries everytime we talk about it) and though I don't show it, it definitely has hit me harder the most. I do constantly try to be strong and be positive but it's hard. Patrick Swayze died from it after 2 years, and I keep thinking what if I only have 2 years to live....it scares me so badly. I do constantly try to avoid talking about it, and bringing it up but deep down I know I can't continue to do that.

09-20-2009, 06:22 PM	#3
HeartGoesOn Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Massachusetts Gender: Female Posts: 2,659	I'm sorry to hear that, and you're extremely young to have that type of CA. When were you diagnosed, and what kinds of treatment are you receiving? __________________ ~ Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance, And when you get the chance to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance... I hope you dance. ~

09-20-2009, 06:35 PM	#5
TennesseeGirl Offline Gold Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Under the deep blue sea Gender: Female Age: 40 Posts: 551	First, I am so sorry to hear you are diagnosed with what is known to be an aggressive form of cancer. I really feel for you. Not sure where you are getting your medical care, but at the big cancer centers in my city, they have psychologists and therapists who have special training in working with people facing serious illnesses like yours. Your doctors who are treating your cancer should be able to give you the names of these type of therapists. These folks will be able to offer you a lot of understanding and comfort for what you are going through. They will have met with hundreds of cancer patients over the years of their career and will really be able to help you through this difficult time in your life. I think you will find it very comforting to be able to talk openly about all of your feelings with someone like this. It can be hard for family members to cope with both their own feelings about what you are going through as well as yours - so a therapist is someone where you don't have to worry about their feelings - they are just there to support you. In addition, you might find a cancer support group helpful. Either in person or on-line. Depending on what you are most comfortable with. Best wishes to you! __________________ You can avoid reality but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality.~Ayn Rand

09-20-2009, 06:21 PM	#2
doiiiieeezie Offline Gold Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Gender: Female Age: 34 Posts: 682	I am so sorry to hear... how long have you been diagnosed? What stage? Etc. Pancreatic cancer is one of the more aggressive cancers, but there is always a chance for survival. Eliminating toxins and carcinogens from your body as well as a steady nutrient rich diet does help- I assume that you have looked into other forms of treatment as well? There are some great help centers for cancer patients such as Wellspring that can help you and your family. I'm not sure what is in your area... but I'm sure that your doctor or nurse can help you find these methods of therapy. I wish you all the best and will keep you in my prayers.

09-20-2009, 06:31 PM	#4
rican4u2002 Offline Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New York Gender: Female Age: 22 Posts: 53	Well back in August there was a cancerous tumor found in my stomach, but it was removed however it did spread to my pancreas. So about the end of August I've been diagnosed. It's still an early stage that I have the option to do surgery to remove it, though the longer I wait they are saying the best bet is to do chemo. @ doiiiieeezie: The hospital I'm at has a good cancer center within it so I've been going there

09-20-2009, 06:42 PM	#6
Misskitty16 Offline Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Whisker City Gender: Female Posts: 937	You sound like it was caught fairly early and you say you are involved with a good cancer center - I know it's hard (I was recently diagnosed with a different kind of cancer) and thinking of Swayze doesn't help - but there ARE survivors of this type of cancer. Please keep us posted - You are going to have the surgery?

09-20-2009, 06:43 PM	#7
rican4u2002 Offline Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New York Gender: Female Age: 22 Posts: 53	Thank you TennesseeGirl Yeah my doctors did give me a name of a therapist who specializes in this and I haven't given her a call yet due to school but I will this week. I do sometimes, but just to see the initial reaction is hard. When I told my fiance, I heard him broke down and cry and it nearly broke my heart. It's hard seeing the people I love try and cope with this. I have tried looking for online support groups, and rl ones as well

09-20-2009, 06:45 PM	#8
rican4u2002 Offline Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New York Gender: Female Age: 22 Posts: 53	@ MissKitty: Despite the risk yeah I think I will and hope for the best. I will definitely keep you posted, and yeah luckily it was caught early. I'm just hoping it isn't spreading fast

09-20-2009, 06:46 PM	#9
Misskitty16 Offline Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Whisker City Gender: Female Posts: 937	I don't know anyone who had PC, but if it helps, I can tell you that my aunt is a breast cancer survivor 10 years now and my friend a survivor of lung cancer about 8 years now. My aunts tumor was a grade 3 which is very fast spreading and still she beat it.

09-20-2009, 07:03 PM	#10
Crazyaboutdogs Offline Platinum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Canada Gender: Female Age: 46 Posts: 15,627	I am very sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Cancer is also tough on the families as well. Much research is being done not only on helping the patients through it but also families and caregivers. I found this website: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] Also, check this out: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]