Lots of T&P please (long)

mrsd0907 · July 2011

My FIL has been having bad abdominal pain for the past month and his PCP treated his symptoms but didn't think much of it. Last week MIL started telling him that he was starting to look yellow and finally on Friday his boss told him that he needed to go to the dr because he was really yellow. He called the PCP and they told him it sounded like jaundice and he needed to go to the ER. We show up and wow, he was definitely jaundice, even his eyes were yellow. They ran some tests and did a CT scan. The dr came back and informed us that there was a large mass on his pancreas and there are very few explanations for why a mass would be on the pancreas. Since I had a friend who passed away from pancreas cancer 9 months after diagnosis, this was terrifying. To say we were in shock would be the understatement of the century.
The dr talked to a GI dr and sent over the scan and told us to call for an appt first thing Monday morning. Of course we spent much of the weekend researching online and doing a lot of crying. Most everything we read said that 60% of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer die within 6 months of diagnosis. None of us were ready for that.
We had no idea what was going on besides there was a mass and the hardest part was not knowing where it was, how big it was, and if it is operable/resectable. We met with the GI dr today and he informed us that while he is worried about the size of the mass, he is hopeful because it doesn't look like it has spread beyond the pancreas. FIL needs a splint to help relieve the jaundice and pain and they will biopsy then. We are really hoping that it is operable because if it has spread beyond the pancreas, it is inoperable and basically a death sentence. Now we are waiting and praying. Any thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated. He goes next week to meet with the Emory pancreatic cancer specialist to stage the cancer and tell us the next steps.

kbrickell · July 2011

Oh my goodness, I am sorry to hear this. Hoping it is operable and has not spread. I will keep your family in my thoughts, think positive thoughts.

Mrs.Guz · July 2011

I'm so sorry, Rachel! Many prayers for your FIL! Please keep is posted!

dleigh2020 · July 2011

Sending T&Ps your family's way.

wuhhoo · July 2011

Sending along T&P your way!

MLvK · July 2011

I'm so sorry Rachel.

susangilchrist · July 2011

I'm so sorry. We just lost my Dad to cancer 3 months ago. Cancer SUCKS, no matter how you look at it. Lots of prayers being sent your way that it's treatable and curable. Don't believe everything you read - Dr. Google is a dangerous creature and is never accurate. Even the doctors don't always know a prognosis. My Dad outlived what SO many docs had predicted. You just never know. Praying and thinking positive thoughts.

rara855 · July 2011

I am so so sorry. Sending prayers to your family.

AugustaBride04 · July 2011

Thoughts & prayers sent your way.

almostanO · July 2011

I am so sorry. Your family will be in my prayers.

GTJess · July 2011

so sorry to hear this! prayers said!

shacadu · July 2011

So sorry to hear this. Best wishes for your family.

Amy_729 · July 2011

I am so sorry to hear this. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.

MrsL1022 · July 2011

Oh my gosh Rachel I am so sorry about this news. I will continue to keep your FIL in our T&P.

mingaling2 · July 2011

I'm sorry - prayers for you guys!

Roci26 · July 2011

I am so sorry that your family is having to go thru this. Sending many T&P your way.

scarlet115 · July 2011

Thinking of you and your family.

yellowtulips80 · July 2011

T&P your way. Hugs.

MrsKLB · July 2011

Sending lots of thoughts and prayers his way. I hope that he gets good news from Emory!

Kerrin · July 2011

Wow...you guys have had a rough go of it over the last few days. Sending all my best wishes to you and your FIL!

slwprincess · July 2011

Thinking of you guys and hoping this is curable and not the worst.

MSquires100 · July 2011

I am so sorry to hear about your FIL. As I was reading, I knew what the next words would be. I would also recommend staying off Google. My Daddy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 2 months after DH and I got married and fought his battle for a year and 1 month. This was 5 years after he was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer and only gave him a year to survive, so I've come to believe that while the docs are our friends, the will of a patient is truly what sets out the odds.

I pray that the appt. with Emory is able to give you good answers. Take it day by day! Hugs!

Mylittlehill · July 2011

So sorry Rachel, sending tons of T&P.

ally-cat · July 2011

I am so sorry! I am sending positive thoughts that this is operable, and that he will be just fine. Prayers to your family. I will be thinking of y'all.