Mom was just diagnosed stage IV pancreatic cancer

[boz1105]

My mom was just diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer.  She is 74 years old and in generally good health.  Has Type II diabetes.  She just started on a chemo treatment of Gemzar and will do 3 weeks on and 1 week off.  Next week her oncologist will also have her start Tarceva.  My sisters and I want to take her for a second opinion and would like  to see if someone can recommend a hospital in the NY/NJ area that specializes in treating pancreatic cancer patients..  Obviously we want to make sure that another dr agrees with the diagnosis and the treatment and also if they can offer other treatment options as well.  I'm feeling overwhelmed doing all this research on line and I know we need to get an appt. asap.  My mom looks great and just has a little nausea and pain right now.  She is quite active and really has a will to live and its hard to accept that she has this devastating disease.  Any input would be appreciated.
1. Can someone provide some recommendations on where to get a second opinion. A pancreas specialist/hospital in the tri-state area?
2.  Since it is stage IV and gemzar is the standard treatment,  should/could she possibly be getting a more agressive treatment which could prolong her life while still maintaining a quality of life?
3. How about what to do to increase her appetite? She's not eating, just picking.  
  


This discussion is related to Pancreatic Cancer that has spread. Continue treatment?.

[crambone]

shes old ,,shes got stage iv cancer,,,why not worry about making sure shes confortable while shes still around,,,i think that would be the best thing for her,is she in pain?
if so,thats the important thing to control.
at 74 the chemo would prob get her before the cancer i hate to say.
try getting her to drink some protein type shakes,,,ensure,exct..this will help her,and she doesnt realy have to eat much.