Potential serious health news

[Scratchy]

It sounds to me that what you may have is an incidentally discovered cystic lesson of the pancreas. These must be managed as potentially serious lessons but have a very good prognosis compared with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Technical skills of the endoscopist (and surgeon if necessary), and expertise of the pathologists, radiologists, and oncologists all matter greatly in this area. Do your research diligently and select a tertiary center that manages a large number of pancreatic lesions.

Best wishes. I really believe based on what you have written that the odds are with you and you will be fine.

Would like to add that since it is open enrollment currently for health plans, you should elect the health plan that gives you the most choice in providers. if you are in an HMO, EPO or other highly managed plan I recommend switching to a PPO plan. if there is a choice of different PPO plans, choose the one that is most likely to cover out of state care. The suggestion above to go to a center like Johns Hopkins was an excellent one.

 

[Tiger8693]

Thanks for the suggestion, that is very good advice. I am in a HDHP with work s that I can contribute to HSA, but when you look at how much you spend in either plan out of pocket, once you get to the limits, it's pretty much the same. The non HD plans just benefit if you don't hit the max for 100% coverage. Also, I have extensive coverage, and have already checked.

 

[tuckeverlasting]

Tiger, I am so glad you have this experienced, compassionate and knowledgeable community to support you. Recently someone close to me faced an extremely serious health challenge. It has turned out much better than expected. I agree with what another poster said, to focus not on scary internet information (perhaps hard for us inveterate "researchers"), but only on intel directly from the doctors involved in, and relevant to, your specific case. I quickly found that is the only way to preserve your sanity. And even though we were given a gloomy prediction at first, it turned out not quite that way! Wishing you the very best, Tiger.

 

[Tiger8693]

Just got home from appt with specialist (2nd opinion). Looks like I will be undergoing a pancreatectomy and splenectomy sometime in December. They identified an occlusion/blockage in the primary pancreatic duct, and dilatation (enlargement) of the duct which can create real problems. It's unclear if the mass/cyst is cancerous, pre-cancerous, or benign, but the blockage of duct is driving this action. They will send to pathology for determination and then will discuss if any further "treatments" will be required. Looks like they will be able to do this Laparoscopically, which will result in faster recovery.

 

[Nemo2]

Looks like they will be able to do this Laparoscopically, which will result in faster recovery.

Good luck...hope everything goes well and you're soon on the mend!

 

[Montecfo]

Just got home from appt with specialist (2nd opinion). Looks like I will be undergoing a pancreatectomy and splenectomy sometime in December. They identified an occlusion/blockage in the primary pancreatic duct, and dilatation (enlargement) of the duct which can create real problems. It's unclear if the mass/cyst is cancerous, pre-cancerous, or benign, but the blockage of duct is driving this action. They will send to pathology for determination and then will discuss if any further "treatments" will be required. Looks like they will be able to do this Laparoscopically, which will result in faster recovery.

Tiger this sounds a lot like the situation my friend was in that I mentioned before. This is serious surgery but for him was not cancer.
He is completely well today.

I pray for the same result for you.

 

[audreyh1]

Thanks for the update. Wishing you the best!

 

[Poopycat]

Gosh, I hope everything goes well for you. Good luck with the surgery.

 

[Katsmeow]

Good luck and glad to hear they can do a laparoscopy. At least you have a plan now.

 

[Dawg52]

Best of luck to you. Let us know how it goes.

 

[whatnot]

Wishing you the best.
I have two really good friends who have cancer. One has breast cancer for 10 + years the other bladder. I know it is a difficult journey but there are such good treatments available now.
Being nervous and anxious is normal! Take care.

 

[ER Eddie]

Hi, Tiger. Here are a few strategies that help me, when I'm worried. Maybe one of them will help you.

1. I ask, "Do I actually have a problem right now?" And then, "Is there something I can do about it?" Most of the time, the answer to the first question is no, because worry is all about some imagined disaster in the future. In the present, there actually is no problem. It can help to remind myself of that. The second question leads to one of two options: either doing something about it, if you can, or, if you can't, then accepting your inability to control the situation and turning it over to God, your higher power, the universe, whatever works for you. Serenity Prayer time.

2. Accepting the anxiety as natural. I remind myself that human beings (all animals, really) have been bred for anxiety, for a hair-trigger alarm system that will go off much more often than is realistically warranted, because from an evolutionary perspective, it's better to be overly worried than too relaxed. Worried cavemen survived and bred. Cool, relaxed cavemen got eaten. So, we are highly talented at scaring ourselves with catastrophic scenarios. The worry (and lots of false alarms) is natural.

3. "Catastrophizing" is one of the cognitive distortions that characterize anxiety. Imagining catastrophes. In most cases (80%), the thing turns out to be much less awful than we imagine.

4. Even when it does turn out bad, we characteristically underestimate our ability to cope with it. Human beings are very resilient. If you think back on your life, I'm sure you've been through some sh*t, and you've been able to handle it.

5. As a way to practice resiliency in advance, I sometimes imagine that the worst happens, and then think how would I deal with that. One way I'd deal is to think about the benefits of the ordeal. Most ordeals have an upside, after all. For instance, illness can make you focus on what really matters in life, let go of concerns about ego or trivia, deepen your life, appreciate things more, etc. I've found it helpful to reflect on that. Even if the worst happens, I can deal with it, and there will even be some good things about it.

6. Don't fight the worry, and don't take it too seriously. This is really key, I think. It's important how you respond to worry. Some people take it very seriously. Some people try to fight it and suppress it. Those things just make it worse. It is better to take a casual, nonchalant, even humorous approach. Think of worry like a nagging neighbor who keeps saying the same thing every day. Worry is tedious, because it contains no new information, yet keeps coming up over and over. Think to yourself, "Yeah, yeah, there's my worry again. I hear you," and treat it like you would a nag. You've heard all this before. You can even joke about it. When I was worried about heart disease, I would say to myself, "Yeah, I'd better make an appointment with the morgue right away." It would make me chuckle. The trick is to not take worry so seriously. Most of the time, it's just a repetitive nag containing no new information. We get into trouble because we take it too seriously, as if the worry itself means there is some imminent catastrophe we must respond to immediately.


Anyhow, I wish you the best. I know health scares can be frightening. I've had a couple of them myself, and I always have to brush up on my anxiety coping skills. I'm a bit of a natural worrier, so I've had to work at it.

I should add, though, that a certain point, I've also found that further "work" on my worry just reinforced it by focusing my attention on the matter. At that point, I found it more helpful to turn my attention elsewhere (e.g., to keeping a good attitude more generally).

 

[target2019]

Just got home from appt with specialist (2nd opinion). Looks like I will be undergoing a pancreatectomy and splenectomy sometime in December. They identified an occlusion/blockage in the primary pancreatic duct, and dilatation (enlargement) of the duct which can create real problems. It's unclear if the mass/cyst is cancerous, pre-cancerous, or benign, but the blockage of duct is driving this action. They will send to pathology for determination and then will discuss if any further "treatments" will be required. Looks like they will be able to do this Laparoscopically, which will result in faster recovery.

Good luck with your recovery.

 

[euro]

Sending you Best Wishes and prayers, Tiger!

 

[eytonxav]

Just got home from appt with specialist (2nd opinion). Looks like I will be undergoing a pancreatectomy and splenectomy sometime in December. They identified an occlusion/blockage in the primary pancreatic duct, and dilatation (enlargement) of the duct which can create real problems. It's unclear if the mass/cyst is cancerous, pre-cancerous, or benign, but the blockage of duct is driving this action. They will send to pathology for determination and then will discuss if any further "treatments" will be required. Looks like they will be able to do this Laparoscopically, which will result in faster recovery.

I had a severe case of pancreatitis several years ago and spent 10 days in the hospital. They believed a gallstone blocked my pancreatic duct and triggered this. Due to the blockage, those pancreatic enzymes basically start to eat your pancreas and it was very unpleasant. In the hospital I could not eat or drink for almost a week before they operated and removed my gallbladder. A few months later, I had a follow-up CT and they discovered several large cysts on my pancreas, much larger than yours. They determined that these were pseudo cysts that would require periodic monitoring before considering surgery, and I've been getting annual scans ever since, and the cysts are shrinking, but are still present. They never thought it necessary to try removing or draining these cysts and just wanted to see how they responded over time. I've had no issues since and its been about 5 years. Wishing you good luck on your procedure and a positive outcome.

 

[Rianne]

The 2nd opinion was very specific and they were able to confirm Laparoscopic surgery. Sounds like you are in good hands. Hope for the best, trust your healthcare team and speedy recovery.

 

[Ebendana]

Pancreatic top notch center

Lost my Mom to Pancreatic CA...Sloan Kettering in NYC is a top notch center...hopefully you will not get that diagnosis...if you do, please make sure to go to a NCCN (National Cancer Comprehensive Network) hospital...it makes a difference. I think there are 12 in the US.

 

[lawman]

Didn't read the whole thread but wanted to tell you that you are not alone with your morningtime anxiety..I too suffer from some anxiety issues that leave me with early morning problems..Sometimes it borders on what might be panic attacks.. Dr. prescribed some med..I took one pill that seemed to make it worse..
Good luck to you..One day at a time..

 

[imnontrad]

I hope you get positive answers soon.
But what any medical crisis does is clarify what is important in your life. I've been through some scares a few times (fortunately all okay) and was able to use the even to change the direction in my life.
One thing is that it helps to be financially independent so you know that you and your family have options going forward.

 

[gooddog]

This could be looked at another way - you are very lucky to have caught COVID. Because you got COVID you had the scan, and the tumor was caught in an early stage. Normally pancreatic cancer (if that is what is going on) is not caught until it is too late and is only after people have had significant symptoms. Removal of the tumor at this stage give you a much greater chance. Get the tests out of the way as quickly as possible so you can get into surgery as soon as possible - if needed.

 

[Tiger8693]

Surgery (pancreatectomy and splenectomy) is scheduled for 12/8. Hoping for good news (benign pseudocyst or something of that nature).

Thanks to all for the well wishes, information, and personal experiences.

 

[Car-Guy]

At least now you have a plan and date. I wish you the best of luck......

 

[NW-Bound]

I wish you well. The CT scan due to Covid is a blessing in disguise, which allows early detection of the mass.

I had a coworker whose X-ray due to pneumonia let them spot his lung cancer in the early stage. After surgery to remove the spot, he has been doing well. They said that he was lucky.

 

[Gremlin]

Surgery (pancreatectomy and splenectomy) is scheduled for 12/8. Hoping for good news (benign pseudocyst or something of that nature).

Thanks to all for the well wishes, information, and personal experiences.

Wishing you all the best!

 

[Allrelative1105]

Best Wishes

You are lucky to catch this early, hopefully. My DW was diagnosed with stage IV PC in Feb metastasized to the lungs. She had endoscopy ultrasound and biopsy of the tumor showed PC and we insisted in having molecular profiling done on the tumor which took 2-4 weeks. The result showed she had NTRK gene fusion and is now being treated with Vitrakvi (Larotrectinib from Bayer) an oral chemo pill. She started treatment in April and so far so good, no major side effects and she is doing well. Let's hope your lesion is benign but if not, make sure they do molecular profiling on the tumor cell. This is somatic genetic test that will indicate if you are a candidate for targeted drug or immuno-therapy. You probably should have blood tests to check for Ca-19-9 marker and liver enzymes (ALT/AST/AP) etc..
Good luck and stay positive.