Pancreatic Cancer: A Patient and His Doctor Balance Hope and Truth

Pancreatic Cancer: A Patient and His Doctor Balance Hope and Truth

by Michael J. Lippe, Dung T. Le MD

Overview

Michael J. Lippe was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2007. This is his story, and the story of pancreatic cancer, narrated by Lippe and Dr. Dung T. Le, the physician who is treating him.

In telling these stories, Lippe and Le alternate chapters. Lippe writes about the early signs that something was wrong; Le continues with a description of pancreatic cancer, its symptoms, and its treatments. Lippe talks about his prognosis, contemplates the prospect of death, and describes how he began to cope; Le explains the importance, for both doctor and patient, of balancing hope and truth. Lippe speaks frankly about the toll the disease takes on his marriage and family; Le offers a general picture of what most patients can expect with their illness. The book concludes with Lippe and Le’s reflections on their partnership in treating cancer, lessons they have learned, and their thoughts about the positive things that sometimes emerge from illness.

Pancreatic Cancer offers clear explanations of what the disease is, describes what people with the disease will feel physically and mentally, and discusses current treatments and future directions of research. The authors hope that their honest yet hopeful perspective will help all people with cancer and those who care about them.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781421400624
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date: 06/15/2011
Series: A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book
Pages: 184
Product dimensions: 5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

Michael J. Lippe, now retired, had a career in international development. During more than forty years in government and the private sector, he worked extensively on issues of local government, shelter for the poor, and corruption. He was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer in 2007. Dung T. Le, M.D., is on the medical oncology faculty at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Her clinical interests include the care of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies, and her research interests are focused on immunotherapeutic approaches to gastrointestinal malignancies, with a particular emphasis on pancreatic cancer.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

1 The Gathering Clouds 1

2 What Is Pancreatic Cancer and What Are Its Symptoms? 10

3 The Fight Begins 20

4 The Initial Treatment 39

5 The Prospect of Death 51

6 Balancing Hope and Truth 66

7 Family and Friends 75

8 Managing the Symptoms of Advanced Cancer 95

9 A New Approach to Living 115

10 Next Steps 127

11 What We've Learned from Our Experience 137

12 Postscript 147

Appendix: Supplemental Information 149

Notes 157

Index 165

What People are Saying About This

M. G. Paregian

An authoritative manual of instructions... This book is highly recommended.

Customer Reviews