My mother-in-law was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer yesterday. I'm curious if anyone has first-hand knowledge (use) of a drug by Eli Lilly called Gemzar. It is the trade name for Gemcitabine.

I'm finding quite a bit of information on the Internet. I understand it can extend life to some degree, and is very expensive.

Any personal experience with this product?

Can't answer that question but pancreatic cancer is one of the worst with only a two or three percent chance of survival. People react to drugs differently so it's hard to tell from other's experience.Do the chemo and radiation and hope for the best.I hope she's an exception.

May God Bless your MIL and hers in this difficult time. I lost my sister to leukemia and I can understand your pain.

You might find out what drug(s) Patrick Swayze is using. He is doing relatively well with the disease.

I am sorry to hear it. What is her name so I can remember her in prayer?

Kensco, I don't even know how to respond to this or even have any answers, but it will be in my thoughts and prayers. Rodney.

Kensco,

Our small prayers go out to you and yours. Is a very difficult path before you.

Her name is Nuri de Arosemena. She's 79 and lives in Guayaquil, Ecuador. I think she would say she's had a good life. Her husband was the Ambassador to Argentina, Panama, and Germany at various time, and she saw a great deal of the world when she was younger. Her brother-in-law was the President of Ecuador.

She has taken the news very stoicly. She has turned down chemotherapy; and the doctor ruled-out radiation and surgery.

She has three daughters including my wife, and they are all very close. The other two daughters live in Guayaquil, and my wife is flying there next week. We're flying in my wife's daughter and son as well to be there with their grandmother for the holidays.

The plans for a big 80th birthday next year pretty much went in the can.

Life looks easy when you're 20, 30, 40, 50; but it gets progressively more difficult; and time flies. The time between 10 and 20 seemed to take forever; between 50 and 60, not so much. Enjoy life while you can.