Second Opinion About Cancer Diagnosis

I am so sorry. Five years ago, my grandfather was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. My immediate impulse was to turn the medical world on it's ear until we found the doctor and course of treatment that would save him. My mother called her best friend since childhood, an RN (who was like another daughter to my grandparents.) My Mom asked, "How bad is it." Through tears, her friend answered, "It's bad," and advised us to start making our goodbyes. A month later, he was gone.

Pancreatic cancer is cruel, vicious, and fast! There are clinical trials and experimental treatments, and I'll admit a lot has changed in the last five years. Patrick Swayze lived quite a few years with his diagnosis. I would urge you to save some of your time and energy for enjoying what time you have left with your Dad. I truly hope it's more time than we had left with Grandpa by the time he was diagnosed.

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The first thing you will want to do, if you haven't already, is have the biopsy slides reviewed at a major cancer clinic like Mayo, Cleveland Clinic or MD Anderson. Make sure of what you are dealing with in the clearest terms. Stage 4 cancer is never good, but it actually depends on where the tumor in the pancreas is located as to whether or not it can be resected or treated in a different manner. So do not give up hope. Get your dad to a LARGE teaching hospital with a good reputation for continued treatment. My sister's friend went to MD Anderson after they gave him a death sentence here and he is alive and totally in remission. Also do not ever forget there is a website called www.clinicaltrials.gov where you can go and see if there is a clinical trial he can get into if nothing else is found. All successful treatments for cancer started with clinical trials. God Bless your Dad and you and your family.

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I'm really sorry. I don't know what the financial situation is, but MD Anderson in Texas is truly a place of miracles! The suggestion for the Mayo Clinic is also great. In the Sacramento area, you should have access to some university hospitals and teaching hospitals not too far away. You can google information on finding a natural doctor, but with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, you really need to move fast -very very fast -and quite honestly I wouldn't play around with only a natural situation. While getting recommended treatment, you can have someone come in and advise about natural help, but stage 4 pancreatic cancer is incredibly serious. If he does have a gastric ulcer -that's bad, but pancreatic cancer certainly overshadows anything regarding it.

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http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/cancer

My sister works for MD Anderson and also used to work for Sloan Kettering, they are the top 2 in the US. Like another poster said pancreatic cancer is fast moving, holistic/homeopathic healing takes time, and you don't have time.

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http://www.gerson.org/ is the website I would start with. The late Dr Gerson wrote a book on how to cure cancer in 1957 and it was pulled from the shelves because it didn't include the medical community. This website will tell you who they are and what they do and their success rate. They have cured stage 4 cancers but have had more success with those that haven't gone through traditional medical processes yet like chemo and radiation therapy. They can work best with a strong immune system.

God bless you and I hope you find what you are looking for.

M.

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Try Dr. John McDougall in Santa Rosa. He has a web site that I can't remember off the top of my head but I know he's helped a bunch of cancer patients who thought they had no options left. Best wishes for your family.

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I am really sorry you are going thru this, I lost my mother to a reoccurance of breast cancer 8 yrs ago. This disease is not kind to the body and can be very hard for the caretakers as well.

Having lost 2 close family members to cancer, one very recently to pancreatic cancer. DO NOT delay traditional treatment for this cancer. pancreatic cancer is usually only detected once it has spread. It is very aggressive and can have an extremely poor prognosis. By all means seek alternative treatment to help with supportive care. A gastric ulcer is a very minor issue in comparison. If your mother suspects gastric ulcer due to difficulty eating or keeping anything down get your father to a hospital and insist on an Xray ASAP. With pancreatic cancer it is typical for the stomach to become obstructed and for someone to have increasing difficulty keeping food down. Even with a 2nd opinion treat soon and get 2nd opinion soon. Highly unlikely that it is not cancer if dr diagnosed pancreatic cancer but some diff opinion of treatment at this stage. The pancreas with affect how your father digests and passes food. Again this cancer can grow quickly and aggressively treat it in the same manner. My aunt passed away 3 mths after her first symptom and diagnosis. Perfectly fine 3 mths prior.

FYI UCSF has a cancer panel that meets and reviews cases to recommend treatment.

I agree with others. I would add record your father (voice at minimum) talking about family and any questions you have about him growing up, etc. message to any grandkids might be nice also and look into hospice care sooner than later. This particular cancer can become very uncomfortable. And have him discuss any paperwork etc he might with your mother now. In any case it is always good to have this done.

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I would recommend UCSF, Stanford or UC Davis. If you think you will need it, please, please, please arrange for hospice care to help control his pain and keep him as comfortable as possible. My father in law recently passed from kidney cancer and hospice care (in home care and then later in a facility) was wonderful and compassionate. It helped him and it helped ease the burden of the family trying to physically care for him. Good luck toyou and your dad.

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I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. Locally I would try UCSF or Stanford for a second opinion. All the best

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If you have doubts about the diagnosis, I would encourage you to get a second opinion from both a Western medicine Cancer Center as well as a naturopath. I am sorry you are going through this.

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A., I am sorry that you are having to face this. Some of this information is not what you asked for, but is information that we learned with both my husbands death from cancer and my sister in law and 2 friends from Pancreatic Cancer. You are near UC Davis, or there is UC Med. I know that MD Anderson in Texas will be of help as well. The problem is that that all takes valuable time. I can only tell you that when cancer hits it messes with all organs and it may be hopeful that it is an ulcer. I hope that you will be able to find the help you desire.
I really hope that you will take lots of pictures and write down information. I also suggest that you make as many arrangements as possible before hand -- even if you don't need them it will be easier and less devastating when it is needed. Alos make sure that your mother has all the credit cards and important papers taken care of or transfered to her name. Ask your father to write letters to the family it really is helpful to the family to hear of his love for them. If I can be of anymore help please feel free to contact me.

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I am so sorry about your father. My Father-in-law was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer three years ago. It was a surprise for all of us as he had seemed so healthy up until about a week or two before his diagnosis. It is a very fast moving cancer. We had hospice care at our home and they were so helpful. Get a second opinion, but also spend time together. My husband and I had just had twin boys and we would put a baby in my father-in-laws arms and he would just hold each of the boys. It is a bittersweet memory...

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Dear A.-

My 'significant other' was diagnosed in jan 2008 with esophageal cancer...also NOT a 'good one' (statistically)...but one group that has been helpful is ACOR.org...it is a cancer site, and I am involved with the 'chat' and list there where patients AND caregivers share their experiences etc. They have groups for 'other' cancers there...and I am convinced that much of the information I receive there is what has kept pete NED (no evidence of disease) thus far.

My thoughts are with you...
Michele/cat

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I know this is hard. Hang in there and stay strong.

I found a great nutritionist that works with cancer and autoimmune patients.

If you want her info let me know.

I have your father in my prayers.

N. Marie

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