My father did not die from pancreatic cancer but from a stroke.
He was totally paralyzed but fully aware. He chose to be
disconnected from life support. Without the machines helping
him to breath, he would not last very long after being disconnected.
He was taken home and my mother disconnected him. He kept
breathing on his own for a much longer time than the doctors
said he would…hours instead of minutes.
He was unable to speak but he could move his lips somewhat.
When the time appear to be close at hand, my mother saw him
move his lips and could tell what he said. First he said, “why is it
taking so long.” Then he mouthed the words, “it’s beautiful,” and
he was gone.
After an agonizing four hours, the final moment helped the family
deal with the final outcome. I hope this is helpful to any of you
who have to go through an experience similar to this.
My heart goes out to you.
=============
My wife has pancreatic cancer. She has been receiving treatment
since December 2006. She has been through three different
I.V. protocols and in between each one, she has had 'bridge therapy’
including oral Tarceva and intradermal Intron (as well as intregrated
therapy including various neutriceuticals and nutritional therapy).
After her first 12 week protocol was Gemcitabine plus paclitaxel.
The integrative therapy accompanying this therapy included the following:
Accupuncture: weekly on Thursdays. To reduce symptoms of neuropathy
and other purposes.
PeakImmune4: 4 capsules three times a day for 1 month, then 4 capsules
twice a day for 1 month, then a maintenance dose of 2 capsules twice
a day thereafter (started this therapy on Sunday, December 17, 2006).
Multi-vitamin & mineral (iron and copper free): Basic Nutrients III without
Copper and Iron, Citrate Formula, by Thorne Research.
UPC 6-93749-00606-0
With breakfast and lunch.
Melatonin, by Vital Nutrients: UPC 6-93465-41911-3. Take 20mg at bedtime.
To increase appetite, protects against chemotherapy-induced
immunosuppression by mediating the toxicity of chemo and inhibiting
free-radical production; reduces neuropathies, thrombocytopenia,
stomatitis, alopecia, malaise & vomiting.
Arctic cod liver oil (omega-3 fatty acids & vitamins A & D).
Dose: one tablespoonful daily–mixed with food/yogurt with breakfast.
(approximately 1150mg EPA and 350mg DHA per teaspoonful?..will
verify)
Anti-tumor effect (suppresses activity of Ras oncogene) and is
anti-inflammatory.
Turmeric Plus (curcumin), by Tattva’s Herbs: Standardized Extract of
Tumeric 95%
Curcuminoids, 495 mg with Bioperine 5mg. Take 500mg with breakfast
and 500mg
with lunch. UPC 8-96041-00033-4
Anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-metastasis, increases
sensitivity of cancer to
chemotherapy (synergy)…especially taxol; it has cox-2 inhibiting
effects)
Levo-Glutamine: 2 teaspoonfuls (8 grams) with breakfast and lunch.
Increase to
3 times a day on day of chemotherapy and for 2 days after.
Used to prevent neuropathy from taxol.
Wobenzym-N (digestive enzymes), by Mucos Pharma GmbH, Germany:
UPC 0-32115-41178-5
Pancreatin 56,000 USP units protease (pancreas) (300mg)
Papain 492 FIP unit (180mg)
Bromelain 675 FIP unit (135mg)
Trypsin 2,160 FIP unit (pancreas) (72mg)
Chymotrypsin 900 FIP unit (pancreas) (3mg)
Rutosid (rutin) (150mg)
Take 1 to 4 talets upon arising, at mid-morning & at
mid-afternoon.
Anti-cancer and increase activity of immune system.
Prescription Digestive Enzymes (Pangestyme CN-10 generic for Creon-10,
pancrelipase, USP): Lipase 10,000 USP units; Protease 37,500 USP
units;
Amylase 33,200 USP units. Take 1 or 2 tablets with breakfast, lunch
& supper.
For improvement in digestion. NDC 58177-0029-04 Started 12-29-2006
Mushroom Extracts (immune support)
Green Tea Extract liquid: Dose and details not known at this time.
Anti-angiogenesis and anti-tumor effects.
Diet: Sesame Seeds, Whey, Rice Pudding, Berries, Greens, Nut Butter
(whey is a source of glutathione which is an antioxidant and
chemoprotective
agent; glutathione reduces the ability of cancer cells to protect
themselves
from chemotherapy)
Almond Breeze, by Blue Diamond (soy beverage):
Ginger and Fennel Teas: Strong sips throughout the day. Details not
currently
known. For nausea.
EVERY day: Walking and slow, deep abdominal breathing
Hematocrit support: Procrit was just started on December 28, 2006 to
maintain
red blood cell levels
Immune System Support:
Leukine (sargramostim): to help maintain neutrophil levels. Later
was switched
to Neupogen.
Platelet support: Procrit helped. Chinese herbs added later.
=============
After this 12 weeks protocol, scans showed her tumor shrunk by almost 50%
and activity of the tumor dropped significantly.
She then had two weeks of oral Tarceva.
The next 12 week I.V. protocol included paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil,
Leucovorin
and oxaliplatin. Similar integrated therapy was also included.
After this protocol, my wife’s shrunk a little more and activity
continued to
decline.
This protocol was followed by 5 weeks of oral Tarceva and 4 weeks of
intradermal Intron (interferon 2b alpha).
The last I.V. protocol was intended to include Erbitux on weeks one,
six, eleven
and 16. On treatment weeks 2 through 5, 7 through 10 and 12 through 15,
paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil, Leucovorin and oxaliplatin were
used…however, the
insurance said they would not pay for the Erbitux (after two doses
costing over
$4,000 each were given). It was replaced by oral Tarceva. In the last few
weeks of the protocol, my wife developed a gradually worsening reaction
to the
paclitaxel and had to stop it last week. Her scans were done Wednesday and
her tumor has apparently continued to shrink …but we do not have the
details
as of yet. She reacted to the oxaliplatin yesterday (the last dose of
this protocol)
so its use is in question for the future. She now goes on a five week
vacation
from the I.V. protocols. She will likely be on Tarceva and Intron
during this
time.
Kyle
===============
Dula wrote:
