I need more information about Pancreatic Cancer?

[iknow2079]

My stepfather is 48, just diagnosed about three weeks ago. I have some questions about the procedure the doctors did. From what I understand, he had alot of side pain and had some difficulty using the restroom. He went to the doctor and he was then referred to Johns Hopkins. The procedure they did was put a camera down his throat and take a part of the cancer out. He then had difficulty keeping solid foods down. He is now home but will start chemo in about six weeks. My family is very hush hush about everything (trying to protect everyone I guess) so I really don't know what stage he's in, the prognosis, etc. My question is, is it likely that the cancer has spread too far for the doctors to remove all of it? What is the general prognosis for someone who has just been diagnosed with this type of cancer. He does drink socially, smokes cigarettes, but is otherwise a healthy man. I am trying to find answers because no one else in my family wants to set things straight with me.

[Donna P]

well first things first....perhaps they don't know what to say because they just don't know...i just lost my dad to pancratic cancer....but he had it for years and didn't know...so don't let that scare you...they will have to do more testing...being that cancer is sneaky and moves in minutes...if not seconds...so they don't want to give out false hopes...cancer is cancer it is never good and it is never easy....what you should know is that they can do pancreatic transplants...it is an organ that you do need to survive..but you can survive w/ just a piece of it....lifestyle will have to change....and being that i have had that tube stuck down my throat a time or two...it just makes you sick...and the next step for him will make him sick too...my dad went through the same thing...couldn't eat or go to the bathroom or hold anything down...but his cancer had spread to the liver and he had skin cancer too....here is hoping that they found it in time....and he will live a full productive life...my thoughts are w/ you and your family...all you can do is listen....wait....and pray....