Family, friends and carers
614 topics in this forum
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- 3 replies
- 303 views
Hello everyone. My dear mum received a shock diagnosis of pancreatic cancer at the beginning of May. She is 76 years old, previously fit, healthy and active. Her only symptom was intense itching all over for a couple of weeks. The GP told me he was worried about obstructive jaundice and ordered urgent blood tests which confirmed his thoughts. She was told to go to the Day Unit of our local hospital and may be admitted. This was the Thursday before Good Friday. They didn't seem too worried, looked at her notes and said they thought the cause of this was a previously diagnosed gallbladder polyp which she had had for about 5 years, but was left alone as no symptoms. T…
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Chemo care box - GEMCAP
by sutton0607- 4 replies
- 586 views
Hi all, my lovely mum has been diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. At first, they didn’t think chemo would be an option as she had a nasty infection following her EUS to obtain the biopsy. However, since having her axious drain fitted, she’s improved enough to consider chemo. She’s having her CT scan/bloods in the run up to having it but they plan to give her gemcap. I had thought about putting a “chemo care box” together for her but I’m totally lost as to what to put in it! It’s only a 30 min infusion so she’ll be there 60-90 mins (providing all goes well). Does anyone have any suggestions as to what would be a useful addition to the box please? thank …
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That time of the year
by Dr. Evil- 1 reply
- 448 views
Hello all. New to the forum. I am here on behalf of my one & only mother who turns 72 next month (in 3 weeks time) She is still very much with us, but got her PC diagnosis back in late march and needless to say it`s rough seas in all directions now. Initially we put our trust in chemotherapy to combat this terrible disease and to help shrink the tumor but the sad fact is that she has paid a very high price going through chemotherapy for ca. 3 months. It really threw her across the floor and she is still dazed and confused now approx. 2 months after coming off the chemo. Infact the tumour grew slightly during her chemo but what little specs of spread on her liver was t…
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- 3 replies
- 455 views
Hi all, My mum was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer on 1st July. She’s 78 and not able to tolerate any chemo. She had a bile duct stent fitted in hospital after which I transferred her to a lovely nursing home where she is very comfortable. She also suffers with Alzheimer’s and can’t remember her diagnoses which results in her not understanding why she is in the nursing home. She has enjoyed her ‘convalescence’ but would now like to go home. Sadly she wasn’t coping well at home without my help prior to her cancer diagnosis and now I feel she will need 24hour care despite still being physically quite well for the time being. I know she wants to go home but I bel…
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Advice if you have any
by Slopez- 5 replies
- 588 views
My 60 year old husband of 34 years was diagnosed with a 2.8 cm tumour at the head of the pancreas in Feb 21 after a bile duct stent was fitted due to jaundice in Jan 21 Unsuccessful whipple due to tumour attached to numerous veins and arteries so palliative bypass surgery undertaken instead. Recovery from surgery has been good but he has lost 2.5 stone since Jan 21 and has so little energy. He has been started on palliative Folfirinox chemo which began last week ....the past week has seen what little energy diminish to nothing. Nausea diarrhoea vomiting and now he won't or can't eat and will only drink little sips every few hours. Anti emetic..meds..zomorph...oramorph..…
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Mum Diagnosed Operable - Questions
by Daughter001- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 517 views
Hi All, Gosh I don’t know where to start.... I’m trying to be brave and as helpful as I can but to me it’s the unknown that keeps me awake at night. My mum has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this is operable which is the best outcome from what I can see. They have said there is a high possibility of a full removal of the pancreas and the spline. My worry is what happens next.... I keep reading these very low survival rates after 5 years, and it terrifies me. Can anyone shed any light on their situation and how they have coped throughout this. I am being a here for my Mother and don’t show her the worry but it keeps me awake…
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My Dad was diagnosed in January
by Zinky1976- 1 reply
- 718 views
Its been a heck of a few months - Dad was diagnosed in January after he became visibly jaundiced and finally told family GP about the change in toilet habits. Had a stent fitted and jaundice subsided. We were initially told my dad was a candidate for surgery - but there has been spread to some nodes and this is no longer and option - was told he would be a candidate for chemo then - and as he was strong enough and a decent weight - he could have the stronger treatment. He has a telephone consultation with Oncologist next tuesday - but no idea when treatment will start and he is getting progressively weaker and weaker - hasnt eaten properly for about 2 wks now - after a l…
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My best friend, soul mate and loveliest husband and father to our two children 11 and 8 was diagnosed shockingly on the 22nd of Oct this year ‘2020 and passed away at home the 26th oct this year. 4 days! We had 4 days! The week before he, a teacher, was teaching a class of 30 children primary school age and walking 38000 steps a day with our dog. He complained mildly of constipation and right sided pain at the beginning of October but X-rays and uss showed nothing. We carried on as normal. Sunday he was in bed with pain out of the blue, by Monday The jaundice happened over night. GP referred to hosp ?gallstones?pancreatitis. No.... pancreatic cancer with liver mets and lu…
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- 2 replies
- 675 views
My loved one was diagnosed PC July 2019... Whipple... folfirinox chemo... radiotherapy... then another followup CT scan, fully expecting good news, potentially all clear... No. Now on gemcitabine, last 10 weeks. Had last CT scan 3 weeks ago... She's getting the result tomorrow Fri 23rd (on her own with her oncologist, due to Covid safety)... She has the strongest "brave face" I know, but inside I know she's scared... I'm terrified. We'll know after 11am tomorrow. Fantastic if it is good news, if it's not, if it's the elephant in the room! I don't know.
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Concerned husband 1 2 3
by Saxon- 57 replies
- 73.3k views
After a year of suffering from stomach pains, taking numerous pills that didn’t seem to have any impact, an endoscopy that found nothing wrong in August, last year my wife had an ultrasound at the beginning of December. She was called back the same day to the surgery for a blood test, as they had found shadows on her liver and they booked her in for a CT scan the following Wednesday. That weekend she had swelling in her leg and it became painful to the touch. She went to the doctors on the Monday for her leg and was told that she had phlebitis and was told at the same time that she has elevated cancer markers in her blood for bowel, breast and pancreatic cancer. On th…
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Looking for some clarity on my aunt's diagnosis
by mwall314- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 832 views
My aunt was diagnosed last November, and was initially given six months to live. I'm trying to work out the medical side of things, but she gets quite confused whenever she speaks with the doctor, and her husband is useless so it's not even worth asking him what the doctor has said. She's quite young still, she only turned 59 last Christmas, and they have given her six chemotherapy treatments. Since then they've said that her 'markers' have gone down from 34 to 11, but she went for her scan and when she went to get the results they had lost them! I'm fuming, and I've said I'll call the hospital and tell them that they need to sort this out as my aunt doesn't have as l…
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Confused
by Aceshigh- 4 replies
- 981 views
Hi. My husband is 71yrs old. He has not been well for sometime. Frequent visits to our gp have resulted in our being no further forward in finding out what was causing symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, fatigue, balance and coordination issues, vomiting and diarrhoea, pain in chest/abdomen. On 25 February I had to call an emergency ambulance when I thought he had had a stroke as his eyes were rolling and his speech was slurred. It turned out that his blood sugars had dropped and he was having a hypo. He was admitted to hospital and it was there that they discovered that his liver function was abnormal and a US located a mass near his liver. A subsequent CT scan rev…
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Radiotherapy and chemo together
by JayneP- 4 replies
- 1k views
Hello - I was diagnosed with inoperable PC in July 2020. Was extremely angry to be diagnosed at 52 and being a healthy eater, energetic and watching my weight. I was a size 6-8, hovering around 49kg and 5ft2. It’s inoperable due to its location near to blood vessels. I was doubly upset about the diagnosis as my Dad died of PC on Christmas Day 2010, 6 months after diagnosis. Apparently it’s not hereditary so I was told - just bad luck - bit insensitive. I have just finished 6 months of FOLFIRINOX chemo in February. First cycle put me in hospital for 11 days - my weight dropped to 37 kg and I couldn’t eat or drink without being sick. Admitted to hospital and put on d…
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Mood swings
by Jess- 3 replies
- 803 views
Hi, I wondered if anyone had noticed a change in there loved ones moods taking GemCap.. I realise the whole trauma of PC alone is enough to cause massive distress.. But this seems worse during treatment.. Some times he is high and wired and the next angry, cursing and slamming things..i find myself on eggshells not knowing which it will be. Its very out of character.. Thanks.
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Water Retention
by Skippy- 18 replies
- 2.2k views
I was wondering if any one had exp of or can give advice on dealing with the body-water retention to hips, thighs, legs and feet ? Is this a natural symptom of PC and its spread? Patient eating reasonably well no pain, but weight loss obv to upper body which is very thin, whilst lower body is bloated. The patient is exhausted and reluctant to walk about much in last few days Thank you
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confused about moms diagnosis
by Laurenxoxo- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 824 views
Hi everyone, I am new to this forum. Two years ago my mom was diagnosed with stage 2b pancreatic cancer. She had the whipple, and 12 rounds of folfirinox. About two months ago another tumor on the pancreas was found. the dr told us she should have 3 rounds of gemzar & abraxane then they would do a scan. Her scan is next week, but the dr mentioned that this now becomes stage 4 since it is a recurrence and that she may be on chemo for a very long time. Is this worth it? How do I ask the dr if it’s worth it and will it really prolong her life - any suggestions welcome
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Pancreatic NET
by Ju139413- 1 follower
- 3 replies
- 993 views
hello, I’ve been under the care of the hospital who have been investigating a cyst on my pancreas. I had had scans, endoscopies, etc. and were monitoring me and last July I had a further scan. I got a phone call to say it had got too big too quickly and they wanted me in hospital. I was advised to have a Whipple procedure to remove the pancreas head. To be honest there wasn’t a choice, there was no way I was going to leave it and see if it got any bigger. My dad passed away from pancreatic cancer so it’s always been at the back of my mind. So, I had the op, had lots of complications and had to spend a month in hospital recovering. My results came through whilst I was stil…
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Chemo break
by Vasil- 0 replies
- 852 views
My father did 12 rounds of Folfirinox and is taking the "chemo break" with re-scans every three months. However i have heard of the so called maintenance therapy when there is no chemo break but they take two of the medicines out of the combo and the patient goes on with the treatment. Does anyone know which of the two options is the better one? We will be contacting another oncologist for a second opinion. Can anyone give an advice?
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Bad re scan results
by Essee11- 1 reply
- 1k views
Hi everyone My dad had a rescan after 6 of 12 round of forfilox sadly it’s bad news and hasn’t stopped cancer growing. Also they consultant said they can now see fluid on other organs which is sign of starting to spread. He has been switched to a different 30 min chemo for next 12 weeks. Prognosis was 3-6 months max. Can’t believe it. Does anyone have similar experience they could share x
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Hello all newbie here
by AmandaP- 1 reply
- 882 views
Hi all, my mum is awaiting an EUS with biopsy as two (what we have been told are Cysts) have been picked up on a CT scan she had in December. My mum is in remission for Non Hodgkins Lymphoma and also had surgery two years ago for bowel cancer. She had chemo after the bowel cancer (to mop up as there was no spread) The CT scan was a routine one. I appreciate this forum is for those already diagnosed but I’m obviously very worried. Mum seems well on herself, she says she doesn’t have any strange symptoms. She does have bowel issues but I know the resection surgery she had can cause this too. My dad had cancer twice and we lost him two years ago. Im all too familiar wit…
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Chemo sickness
by Mumshelper- 3 replies
- 911 views
Hi everyone, I’ve been reading everyone’s stories since November, cried with you, smiled at your loving memories and felt the turmoil of this awful disease. My mum has just had her first round of chemo and was just wondering if anyone has any suggestions to ease the sickness? It breaks my heart to see her like this, ironically she has been so well until the chemo which we knew would happen. She has tablets, been having mints, ginger beer, ginger nuts, got her sickness bands on. I know obviously this is a very common side effect but I would do anything in this world just to make this daunting journey a little bit easier. She is on FOLFIRINOX so not allowed anythi…
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Bypass surgery - info anyone?
by Vasil- 3 replies
- 911 views
Has anyone of you or your beloved ones had bypass surgery for blocked stomach / intestines (gastrojejunostomy)? Could you please share some info on course of recovery, diet recommendations etc. Does it interfere in some way with chemotherapy? Is one able to proceed with chemo in an easy way after such a surgery? it is about my Dad who had this procedure a couple of days ago. Surgeons did not put a stent but had him operated. Thank you!
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Not coping with uncertainty
by SarahLost- 12 replies
- 1.7k views
Hi, So my Mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer around Christmas after having symptoms (which were constantly put down to indigestion or blood sugar/ diabetic issues) since August. We have now been told it is t3, n1 and that it is inoperable. She is starting chemo in next two weeks. I have two small children and a partner but he is very little support practically or emotionally. I have my step-dad and brother but no other close family. From day one I have understood in myself that my Mom is not going to get through this, I have been distraught for a number of weeks but seem to have levelled off a little and now shift between everything being ‘normal’ or bad d…
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FOLFIRINOX - 12 rounds
by Essee11- 6 replies
- 1.2k views
Hello My dad has just had round 6/12 of chemo and had rescan before final 6. We are awaiting the results next week. I imagine he will manage the full 12 rounds as coping quite well. Can anyone tell me experience of what happened after the 12 rounds and how your loved ones did? Thank you
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- 5 replies
- 1.8k views
Everyday is different following my husbands passing. A lot of times I find it so so heavy to carry and too frightening to managing further than day by day survival for myself and also for our children. My best friend, soul mate and loveliest husband and father to our two children 11 and 8 was diagnosed shockingly on the 22nd of Oct this year ‘2020 and passed away at home the 26th oct this year. 4 days! We had 4 days! The week before he, a teacher, was teaching a class of 30 children primary school age and walking 38000 steps a day with our dog. He complained mildly of constipation and right sided pain at the beginning of October but X-rays and uss showed nothing. We ca…
