Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer?

Question

I have been asking about Whipple (my sister just had on Friday) the results, which I knew deeeeep down were not good. The Dr. just left her room and told her Stage 3 Cancer. Can anyone tell me from experience what to do and how to care for her, what to expect... I do not know where to start.
Thank you all for everything.

Answer 1

One of the best ways to find out about treatments and disease stage is by joining a support group specific to the disease. You should also read and do as much research as possible about this type of cancer. The following are good websites to start your search. I would also recommend joining the ACOR group as you will meet people and caregivers dealing with this type of cancer:

You can locate excellent information online about the disease at some of the following sites:

National Cancer Institute: Pancreatic Cancer
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/pancreatic

Medline Plus: Pancreatic Cancer
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/pancreaticcancer.html

American Cancer Society: Pancreatic Cancer
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=34

Pancreatica
http://www.pancreatica.org/

National Pancreas Foundation
http://www.pancreasfoundation.org/

Pancreatic Cancer Alliance
http://www.pancreaticalliance.org/

PanCan
http://www.pancan.org/

ACOR: Mailing list for The Pancreatic Cancer Support & Information eCommunity
http://listserv.acor.org/archives/pancreas-onc.html

NCCN: Clinical Guidelines in the treatment of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/pancreatic.pdf

Directory for Pancreatic Cancer
http://dmoz.org/Health/Conditions_and_Diseases/Cancer/Gastrointestinal/Pancreatic/

Best to you and stay strong.

Answer 2

I am sorry to say our family had a friend with pancreatic cancer. She went very quickly.

Go to the American Cancer Society website or the website for H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center http://www.moffitt.usf.edu/.

Moffitt is a very highly regarded cancer treatment center here in west central Florida. They have a section on their website where anyone can ask a question.

Answer 3

you need to go the hospital where your sister is and ask to see one of their social services specialists, they will educate you to her needs, then talk to her nurses, they can give you a good picture of what to expect regarding her diagnosis, these people are caring for her, there isn't any way someone not involved can give you the answers you need.