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cate94

(2,890 posts)
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 07:19 PM Nov 2018

My sister was diagnosed with stage4 pancreatic cancer.

The Internist who first diagnosed her said 2 - 4 months. She has had 2nd and 3rd opinions. She tried chemo, but 5FU was as bad as it sounds. It’s been less than one and a half months, today they used the word hospice. So I’ll be going up to see her next week, for what probably will be her last birthday. She has no appetite, and doesn’t like the taste of wine anymore. Can’t think of a thing to give her, but wish it were more time. She lived such a clean life, I don’t think she even drank a glass of wine until she was 50. As a breast cancer survivor, you’d think I’d have a clue, but all I can think to do is just be there. If anyone has experience with this cancer and knows what might work for appetite or even liquids she might enjoy, please comment.

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My sister was diagnosed with stage4 pancreatic cancer. (Original Post) cate94 Nov 2018 OP
Being there is the most important thing. So sorry what your sister and your family are going still_one Nov 2018 #1
Thank you.n/t cate94 Nov 2018 #10
my mother had pancreatic cancer back in 1987... SummerSnow Nov 2018 #2
I wondered if a smoothie might be tolerable. cate94 Nov 2018 #11
Bolthouse Farms have great all natural juices and smoothies. taste good and great for digestive syst SummerSnow Nov 2018 #15
Thanks! cate94 Nov 2018 #24
I am so sorry, cate. sheshe2 Nov 2018 #3
Thank you! N/t cate94 Nov 2018 #12
I haven't a clue if some of the new immunosuppression treatments sinkingfeeling Nov 2018 #4
I'm not familiar with the immunosuppressive treatments. cate94 Nov 2018 #13
I am so sorry. ploppy Nov 2018 #5
Thanks. cate94 Nov 2018 #14
Positive vibes n/t gay texan Nov 2018 #6
Thanks. N/t cate94 Nov 2018 #16
I'm so sorry. SCRUBDASHRUB Nov 2018 #7
Thanks. N/t cate94 Nov 2018 #17
Find out what Ruth Bader Ginsburg got for treatment. Liberty Belle Nov 2018 #8
I'll do that. cate94 Nov 2018 #18
She had the whipple procedure cpamomfromtexas Nov 2018 #29
Be with her. MuseRider Nov 2018 #9
Thanks for your good thoughts. cate94 Nov 2018 #21
So much love and support to you MuseRider Nov 2018 #26
I am so sorry. LoisB Nov 2018 #19
Thanks.n/t cate94 Nov 2018 #22
Ice cream central scrutinizer Nov 2018 #20
Thanks for the advice. cate94 Nov 2018 #23
Lots of calories and protein central scrutinizer Nov 2018 #25
Ahh, I'm sorry. I lost a friend to this. LisaM Nov 2018 #27
Thanks cate94 Nov 2018 #30
It's all good LisaM Nov 2018 #32
My husband is doing 5fu cpamomfromtexas Nov 2018 #28
I'm sure she is in ketosis. cate94 Nov 2018 #31
If 2Cal is tolerable, each 8iz can is nearly 500cals. alfredo Nov 2018 #33
I gave my sister a walker for her birthday. cate94 Dec 2018 #34
Husband diagnosed Sept 11, did chemo radiation cpamomfromtexas May 2019 #35
I hope it works for your husband. cate94 May 2019 #36

SummerSnow

(12,608 posts)
2. my mother had pancreatic cancer back in 1987...
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 07:23 PM
Nov 2018

I gave her a veggie and fruit diet, whole grains and kept her hydrated. I also gave her small meals , no greasy foods or heavy foods. Mostly foods that were easy to digest. im truly understand what you are going through. So sorry for what your sister is going through. (((hugs)))

cate94

(2,890 posts)
11. I wondered if a smoothie might be tolerable.
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 07:51 PM
Nov 2018

Going to look for recipes that might be tasty. I know it isn’t much for the long run, but might helps little bit.

sinkingfeeling

(53,052 posts)
4. I haven't a clue if some of the new immunosuppression treatments
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 07:27 PM
Nov 2018

are available for that type of cancer or not, but I do know that hospice will allow your sister to leave this world in peace and dignity.

I'm so sorry for her and you.

cate94

(2,890 posts)
13. I'm not familiar with the immunosuppressive treatments.
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 07:54 PM
Nov 2018

I’ll do some research. I think it may be too late, but I’ll give it a look. Thanks.

Liberty Belle

(9,612 posts)
8. Find out what Ruth Bader Ginsburg got for treatment.
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 07:41 PM
Nov 2018

Pancreatic cancer is usually a poor prognosis but some beat the odds including Ginsburg.

Good luck to your sister.

MuseRider

(34,382 posts)
9. Be with her.
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 07:43 PM
Nov 2018

If I was in her place that would be all I wanted, a family member with me.

My experience was my dad but it was in 1973 when I was 19. He turned jaundiced one day, was dead in 14 days. Nothing could be done back then. He had apparently not felt well for a while and had not told anyone. There are more things they can do now, I am certain they will offer what they can.

I sat with my brother for a month as he died. He was so grateful and I was as well to have the honor to see him safely out of this world. It is not easy and I am so sorry you have to go through this. I am also sorry she does as well.

Take care of yourself as you go through this.

cate94

(2,890 posts)
21. Thanks for your good thoughts.
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 08:37 PM
Nov 2018

Fortunately, her kids live nearby and they are adults. They will be there, even when I can’t be...and my experiences have been similar to yours, so I know your words are true. I appreciate your support and good thoughts.

I don’t want to lose another sibling, knowing it is inevitable, I hope my sister has the least pain possible. I think the thing that freaks me out the most is the speed this has progressed and she didn’t drink at all until she was in her 50s, and never excessively. Seems so unfair. Sorry, I’m rambling.... I’ll do the best I can for her and my nieces.

MuseRider

(34,382 posts)
26. So much love and support to you
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 08:46 PM
Nov 2018

and all your family.

About the drinking, my father probably did not drink 5 drinks in his life. He did not handle alcohol well and was not all that fond of it anyway. His was exposure to chemicals.

You have this but I would certainly listen if you need to talk to someone outside of it all.

Take good care of yourself.

central scrutinizer

(12,441 posts)
20. Ice cream
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 08:34 PM
Nov 2018

It was about the only thing my wife could tolerate. She had stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Ice cream plus methadone gave her a couple extra quality months. I know how hard this is.

LisaM

(28,650 posts)
27. Ahh, I'm sorry. I lost a friend to this.
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 08:49 PM
Nov 2018

Her time from prognosis was about 9 months, which she lived to the fullest, but it wasn't enough. It's a terrible cancer. I hope you can find some food she'll eat.

cate94

(2,890 posts)
30. Thanks
Wed Nov 7, 2018, 07:56 AM
Nov 2018

Adding: that I’m sorry for your loss. I know it is hard losing a friend. sorry for my thoughtlessness. Probably to early for me to be responding...

cpamomfromtexas

(1,346 posts)
28. My husband is doing 5fu
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 08:52 PM
Nov 2018

We found a book that said being in ketosis and fasting before chemo helps avoid side effects.

The book that references this is the longevity diet.

Today his doctor told him he doesnt look like he is in chemo. But he needs to stop losing weight.

cate94

(2,890 posts)
31. I'm sure she is in ketosis.
Wed Nov 7, 2018, 08:00 AM
Nov 2018

She hasn’t been able to eat anything much for sometime. I’m glad your husband is able to tolerate the chemo, I hope it stays that way for him. Good luck.

alfredo

(60,145 posts)
33. If 2Cal is tolerable, each 8iz can is nearly 500cals.
Mon Nov 12, 2018, 11:35 PM
Nov 2018

I’ve been using it for going on 3 years, but mine goes through a tube.

My Brother in law died from Liver cancer. They gave him palliative care.

cate94

(2,890 posts)
34. I gave my sister a walker for her birthday.
Thu Dec 6, 2018, 06:53 PM
Dec 2018

She was pissed at first, but it gave her some freedom for a couple of weeks. Hospice got her a wheelchair she didn’t have time to use. That quick and she is gone. ‘It’s fast” was one of the last things she said to me. Too fast. Too damn fast.

cpamomfromtexas

(1,346 posts)
35. Husband diagnosed Sept 11, did chemo radiation
Thu May 2, 2019, 05:28 PM
May 2019

Now doing alternative. We are medical refugees outside country. Results are good.

We are going to start Fenbendazole

Look up Joe Tippens at this website if it interests you. They are about to start trials on it.

cate94

(2,890 posts)
36. I hope it works for your husband.
Fri May 3, 2019, 01:38 AM
May 2019

She tried 5fu. It didn’t work for her and it was too late for the whipple procedure. She died in December. I wish you the best.

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