Living With Pancreatic Cancer

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• QHow should I plan meals after pancreatic surgery?

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  A Dr. John A. Chabot , Endocrinology Diabetes & Metabolism, answered on behalf of Columbia University Department of Surgery

  In general, your goal should be to eat small meals throughout the day. In other words, have a light breakfast, a mid-morning snack, a light lunch, a mid-afternoon snack, and a reasonable dinner. Many patients have also told us that they cannot tolerate late night snacking, feeling bloated or nauseated during the night.
  

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• QHow do I manage my stage 0 pancreatic cancer on a daily basis?

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  A Parkland Medical Center answered

  Because stage 0 cancer is the earliest stage, you may have a greater chance at successful treatment than those with a more advanced cancer. The most important thing you can do to manage your stage 0 pancreatic cancer is to follow your doctor's treatment plan. In addition, you should learn what you can about your disease and its treatments so that, as you discuss your treatment options with your family and doctor, you can make educated decisions.

  Another thing you should do is to build a network of family, friends, and cancer survivors that can talk with you, help you with daily tasks if needed, and provide emotional support through a difficult time. You might consider seeing a counselor or spiritual advisor to help you cope with your disease.

  If you have surgery or other treatments, your doctor may prescribe medications or nutritional supplements to help you recover from the treatment.

• QHow do I manage my stage 1 pancreatic cancer on a daily basis?

  1 Answer

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  A Parkland Medical Center answered

  The most important thing you can do to manage your stage 1 pancreatic cancer is to follow your doctor's treatment plan. In addition, you should learn what you can about your disease and its treatments, so that as you discuss your treatment options with your family and doctor, you can make educated decisions. Another thing you can do is to build a network of family, friends, and cancer survivors that can talk with you, help you with daily tasks if needed, and provide emotional support through a difficult time. You might consider seeing a counselor or spiritual advisor to help you cope with your disease.

  If you will have surgery or other treatments, you may need to prepare for an extended period of treatment and recovery, in which you need more help with daily tasks than you are accustomed to. Your doctor may prescribe medications or nutritional supplements to help you manage and recover from the treatments.

• QHow do I manage my stage 2 pancreatic cancer on a daily basis?

  1 Answer

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  A Parkland Medical Center answered

  The most important thing you can do to manage your stage 2 pancreatic cancer is to follow your doctor's treatment plan. He or she may also prescribe pain medications if you experience abdominal pain associated with the cancer. In addition, you should learn what you can about your disease and its treatments so that as you discuss your treatment options with your family and doctor, you can make educated decisions. Another thing you can do is to build a network of family, friends, and cancer survivors that can talk with you, help you with daily tasks if needed, and provide emotional support through a difficult time. You might consider seeing a counselor or spiritual advisor to help you cope with your disease.

  If you will have surgery or other treatments, you may need to prepare for an extended period of treatment and recovery, in which you need more help with daily tasks than you are accustomed to. Your doctor may prescribe medications or nutritional supplements to help you manage and recover from the treatments.

• QHow do I manage my stage 3 pancreatic cancer on a daily basis?

  1 Answer

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  A Parkland Medical Center answered

  The most important thing you can do to manage your stage 3 pancreatic cancer is to follow your doctor's treatment plan. He or she may prescribe pain medications if you experience pain associated with the cancer, as well as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or other therapies. In addition, you should learn what you can about your disease and its treatments so that as you discuss your treatment options with your family and doctor, you can make educated decisions.

  If you will have surgery or other treatments, you may need to prepare for an extended period of treatment, in which you need more help with daily tasks than you are accustomed to. Your doctor may prescribe medications or nutritional supplements to help you manage discomfort due to the treatments.

  You may find it helpful to build a network of family and friends who can talk with you, help you with daily tasks if needed, and provide emotional support. You might consider seeing a counselor or spiritual advisor to help you cope with the practical and emotional issues you face. It might also be helpful to join a support group of others in similar situations.

• QHow do I manage my stage 4 pancreatic cancer on a daily basis?

  1 Answer

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  A Parkland Medical Center answered

  The most important thing you can do to manage your stage 4 pancreatic cancer is to follow your doctor's treatment plan. He or she may prescribe pain medications, as well as surgery, chemotherapy, or other therapies. In addition, you should learn what you can about your disease and its treatments, so that as you discuss your treatment options with your family and doctor, you can make educated decisions.

  If you have surgery or other treatments, you may need to prepare for an extended period of recovery, in which you need more help with daily tasks than you are accustomed to. Your doctor may prescribe medications or nutritional supplements to help you manage discomfort due to the treatments.

  You will need support as you cope with this difficult time. You may find it helpful to build a network of family and friends who can talk with you, help you with daily tasks if needed, and provide emotional support. You might consider seeing a counselor or spiritual advisor to help you cope with the practical and emotional issues you face. It might also be helpful to join a support group of others in similar situations.

• QHow do I manage my pancreatic cancer on a daily basis?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Parkland Medical Center answered

  The most important thing you can do to manage your pancreatic cancer is to follow your doctor's treatment plan. He or she may prescribe pain medications, as well as surgery, chemotherapy, or other therapies. In addition, you should learn what you can about your disease and its treatments, so that as you discuss your treatment options with your family and doctor, you can make educated decisions.

  If you will have surgery or other treatments, you may need to prepare for an extended period of recovery, in which you need more help with daily tasks than you are accustomed to. Your doctor may prescribe medications or nutritional supplements to help you manage discomfort due to the treatments.

  You will need support as you cope with this difficult time. You may find it helpful to build a network of family and friends who can talk with you, help you with daily tasks if needed, and provide emotional support. It might also be helpful to join a support group of others in similar situations.

• QHow can a support system help me deal with pancreatic cancer?

  1 Answer

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  A Dr. John A. Chabot , Endocrinology Diabetes & Metabolism, answered on behalf of Columbia University Department of Surgery

  A patient's family and friends will be important members of a support network. Patients may find comfort in talking to their support network about emotions and physical feelings on a day to day basis. Patients may also need members of their support system to help with practical aspects of house chores and daily living during periods of his care.
  Family and friends may be experiencing similar emotions and stresses to the patient. Talking openly about them can often help everyone cope with pancreatic cancer.
  
• QHow can I cope with a pancreatic cancer diagnosis?

  2 Answers

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  A Dr. John A. Chabot , Endocrinology Diabetes & Metabolism, answered on behalf of Columbia University Department of Surgery

  There may be times when patients may find comfort in writing in a journal, joining a formal support group, or seeking individual counseling. Patients may find it easier to fully express themselves in these settings. Additionally, patients may find value in talking with other individuals who are also dealing with cancer. Other patients can often validate feelings, share experiences, and provide companionship. Besides providing another source of information, support groups can provide opportunities for patients to help other people cope. Many find this process of helping other people with their care rewarding and empowering.

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• QWhy is a positive outlook important if I have pancreatic cancer?

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  A Dr. John A. Chabot , Endocrinology Diabetes & Metabolism, answered on behalf of Columbia University Department of Surgery

  It can be difficult to remain positive when facing a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. However, staying positive and hoping for the best can push a patient to continue battling the disease and follow medical advice. A positive outlook can help a patient take better care of him or herself, and can also inspire a patient to appreciate those things that are meaningful in the present as opposed to focusing on what may be lost in the future. Patients' support networks can help them stay positive throughout the course of the disease.