Family, friends and carers
A forum for family, friends and carers' of pancreatic cancer patients.
654 topics in this forum
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This is the hardest thing that i have had to ever write.My dad was diagnoised with pc on 2 May this year,1 week after turning 60yrs old.He was just 3 days into his 6months paid holiday for 25yrs service at work.He felt unwell,funny tummy,then turned yellow in about 2 days.Went to hospital for tests to be told he had pc.We waited 2 months for the whipple op having no other treatment ,the waiting around felt like forever.Dad lost about 2 1/2 stone in that time and could only do small jobs around house then he had to go to bed for the afternoon .He went down for the op and was on the ward about 6 hours later,but another blow was that we were told the tumour was still there.T…
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Creon
by pmattinson- 0 replies
- 3.8k views
Hi - has anyone else had experience of problems with Creon? My mother died recently after a 16 month journey with inoperable pancreatic cancer, and had numerous problems with Creon and Pancrex V Forte. There didn't seem to be any alternative available, and we had the impression that she was unusual in having issues. I'm intrigued to know whether, in fact, that was the case! Pat
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Can anybody help me understand?
by emma- 8 replies
- 8.7k views
My wonderful step dad is due to have a whipple procedure tomorrow, the surgeon is fairly sure that it is a malignant tumor but has told us he is 80% sure that he can remove it. Am feeling like I am on an emotional rollercoaster at the moment with moments of high when I feel so positive he will be ok and then the desperation of the possibility of losing him. I'm finding it so hard to talk to anybody about it without totally falling apart. I'm finding the info on the various sites on the internet very confusing, if they can remove it and it hasn't spread(which they dont think it has) has he got a chance of being o.k or is the whipple just a temporary measure? I would be so…
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New diagnosis.
by Tessie- 23 replies
- 21k views
Hello everyone, with a heavy heart I have joined in this site. My husband has just been diagnosed with pc (probably with liver involvement). He does not want any facts from the medical team so therefore it will be up to me to get the information and do what I can with it. Has anyone any useful advice to share? And a bit of hope? I am in bits. Tessie
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My mum
by Jacqueline1982- 2 replies
- 4.6k views
Hi everyone, I am new to this forum. I hope someone can help me. My mum was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August and chemo hasn't worked. The tumor is inoperable and she has been going downhill. A few days ago she developed severe swelling on her feet and today has woken up with swelling on her hands and face and no feeling in her hands, she also has low blood pressure. My mum didn't tell us when she was diagnosed that apparently you only have months to live once diagnosed with this type of cancer, mainly to keep us from worrying as I lost my dad in October 07 to cancer. I am extremely worried and I would like to hear from anyone who has been in this situation. I di…
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New here
by Joyce- 6 replies
- 7k views
Hi I am new here and am looking for your help and communication. My husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July last year and is on a course of treatment with two drugs. He is coping very well and seems to keep his head in the right place. He was advised not to have the whipple op as his cancer had spread. At his 3 month scan is showed that the cancer had stayed the same size and not spread elsewhere. Is this normal for the first scan as I have picked up that by the second scan we should see whether it is spreading or not. He is now on his 2nd phase and we are booking holidays - is this too optimistic . Any advice would be welcome and thank you
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Christmas
by Ellie- 4 replies
- 5.8k views
Hi everyone I know it's not going to be a great time for everyone on here, but can I just wish you all the best for Christmas. I imagine it will be an awful time for some, so I wish you a little peace and comfort. For those who have been lucky, like my husband, I wish you happy times with your families. Love & Best wishes Ellie xx
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Near the end of the road now
by megascops- 3 replies
- 5.9k views
My mother (73) was diagnosed with suspected PC in July last year, 15 months ago. The diagnosis was confirmed in August and she had an unsuccessful op in September (13 months ago). In the last month she has gone downhill quite dramatically and I don’t think she is going to be around for that much longer as she has lost what was a very strong will to live. So I thought it would be a good time to post a few thoughts for others who might be going through the earlier stages of this unfortunate experience with their loved ones. The worst 2 days for the illness were the one she was diagnosed and the one the operation was unsuccessful. They were pretty hard to bear. My father an…
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What can we expect???
by dorabcoelho- 2 replies
- 4.9k views
Hi all, Today I am very sad, Idon't know I just feel that the person I love the most is leaving!!!! I had this horrible feeling today. Is it normal?? My mum lives in Brazil with my sister and dad. I am living in London, actually I am still here to send some money and be able to help my mum to get the best treatment she can have out there. It's been so difficult for me because, part of me wants to be with her and the other side needs to be here. Today I phoned mum and she didn't want speak to me, she was tired, i said to my sister " tell her she doesn't need to speak , I just want her to listen to me". I said how much I love her and I am expecting her to get better so …
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Glad I Found this Site
by Ellie- 4 replies
- 7.1k views
Hi everyone. My husband was found to have PC 6 weeks ago. In fact, he only really knew AFTER his whipple's op. He had gone into our local hospital to have the camera into his stomach and the doctor damaged his bowel. He was then taken to XX Hospital in XX and whilst the surgeon was performing keyhole surgery to repair the bowel, our local hospital phoned through to say the biopsy taken had shown cancer, so they immediately opened him up and 8 hours later he woke up to hear he had had a major cancer operation. He stayed in hospital for 3 weeks, contracting pneumonia in the last week, but seemed well when he was released. We were so relieved to know the cancer h…
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- 11 replies
- 26.9k views
My father, who turned 67 earlier this month, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December '07 and was admitted for his Whipple's procedure just a few days later on December 16th. The operation took longer than usual but was pronounced "a success" by his surgeon. He did, however, suffer a large number of initial setbacks which meant that his discharge from hospital did not take place until January 16th, following a stay of exactly a month. These setbacks included prolonged and severe delirium (lasting nearly 2 weeks and which was attributed at the time to the morphine he was being administered), pneumonia, an infection in his feeding line and a bang on the head when he…
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surgery
by pop- 0 replies
- 4.2k views
Why does the surgery need to be so radical, with gall bladder, bile duct, part of pancreas & duodenum removed?
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Car accident claim
by treenybean- 0 replies
- 4.2k views
Hi all, I'm new to this site and need some advice if possible. My 75 year old father in law had a whipple operation last Summer and seemed to be recovering very well until he and mum in law were involved in a car accident this March. They were hit from behind whilst stationery and their car was written off, Mum was thrown up and forward then back down resulting in three broken vertebrae and Pa was thrown very forcibly forward into the steering wheel as his seat belt didn't hold and the seat also ran forward on its runners. In the first week or so he seemed to be coping quite well and after looking after Mum but after a couple of weeks he began feeling quite ill, he …
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Dietary advice
by pop- 1 reply
- 4.6k views
My beloved husband suffered obstructive jaundice & resultant kidney failure in June. Tho he is 75, he was in tip top health.He is being considered for surgery, but went down with c.diff, in hospital,now much improved, and has almost no appetite. (No cooked, hot food). How can I build him up to withstand surgery? His legs/feet & right arm are also v. swollen.
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New to all this
by Hope- 0 replies
- 4.6k views
My brother has been diagnosed with pancreatic, secondary liver cancer and his lumphs are said to be up... this does not sound good to me but I do not know anything about all this and the more I read the more terrified I become. It has all happened so quickly he has only felt ill for a couple of months and the doctors gave him pain killers and anti spasmodics. In the end we took him in to the hopsital as he was in pain and has swellings in his abdomen. He is still in hospital waiting results of further tests scans etc but they do not seem to be in any hurry. He has had some of the fluid drained off but he cannot eat anything only a little fruit. He has not had any invasi…
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Information for teenagers
by tc0001- 5 replies
- 8.3k views
Hi My Mum has recently been diagnosed with inoperable pc. I have 2 children aged 11 and 14 and am desperately looking for books or websites to help them. I am waiting til this weekend when their SATS are over before I tell them. My problem is many of the books for children seem to be aimed at younger children. I don't want to patronise my 14 year old but on the other hand I don't want him to read some of the adult books and scare him. Any advice would be greatfully appreciated.
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- 22 replies
- 28.3k views
My wife has inoperable pancreatic cancer and four years later can say that the chemo she receives thus far keeps it in check. She is sometimes very affected by some of the references to pancreatic cancer in the news, specially when it is about a 'celeb' either diagnosed with it ie Pavarotti or dying from it ie Gareth Hunt (d.14/03/07). There were some sentences about him in the BBC story reporting it. One of the better reports in my view. 'A statement from his agent said he died at his home in Redhill, Surrey, adding: "He fought the disease with great courage and through his strength of character and his wonderful sense of humour he continued to work right up until the…
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My friend has been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer
by Guest Bonnie Blue- 6 replies
- 9.5k views
Two weeks ago he is 45 years old has been unwell with stomach problems for about a year He told me two weeks ago that he had a 7cm tumour on his pancreas and he was due to have a biopsy The Doctors have never mentioned the cancer word to him although a nurse told me it was a definite diagnosis so he still seemed hopeful until a couple of days ago His biosy was delayed by a week because they "fed him" that morning and he eventually had it done on Wed this week with a two seek wait for the result he has been having significant pain at home usually at night and about 10 days ago i persuaded him to call an ambulance and get himself admitted for pain management which …
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Is this normal?
by julesgreen- 4 replies
- 7.8k views
Since I last posted my Dad is now in a hospice, last week he was given 2 - 4 weeks to live, but since then he seems to have perked up and after his morphine was increased he has started going home for a few hours a day, but 1 day he's sleeping all the time the next he seems 'with it' and my stepmother is saying he isn't going anywhere, I feel like I am on a rollercoaster, up one day down the next. One day I get ready for the end the next I don't know what to think,doesnt help that I cant see him myself but when I did see him last week he was in a very bad way.
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- 11 replies
- 13.2k views
My sister was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in July/August of this year. I can't remember exactly when. She told us that she had gall stones, but cancer was found and a stent was inserted. She was scheduled first for chemotherapy and later for radiology treatments, but has not had ANY treatment yet. It is the middle of September already. I feel sorry for everyone and everyone who is involved with the National Health System. My sister lives in a highly populated area of Yorkshire, but has to travel miles and miles to the nearest treatment center. She is shuttled from Doctor to Doctor, and there doesn't seem to be a primary care doctor involved. She is very dep…
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Please please any hope?
by Weeble- 13 replies
- 15.9k views
My dad was diagnosed yesterday and I am still reeling from the news, he is a healthy 67 year old man and up until 2 weeks ago our lives were just great. It has been devastating and I can barely function and carry out day to day tasks at the moment, my mind is everywhere, in a very dark place. I came to this message board hoping to find lots of positive stories about people who have recovered and been fine but it just seems that there are so many terribly sad stories to be told and it has upset me even more. Please does anyone have any hope to offer? I just need something to cling to at the moment. With love xx
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hi
by sharmayo- 12 replies
- 15.2k views
hi my name is sharon and I have just lost my dad to pancreatic cancer. On 20th of April my dad rings me to say that he has had diarrhea and a pain in his lower back on and off all week so he decides to make a appointment to see the doctor. He rings me at 5pm and says that the doctor has rang back and says that he has very high sugar levels and raised liver results and needs to go into hospital straight away. We get to the hospital and they settle my dad in(my dad is feeling fine and feels a fraud when there are a lot of men in there who have had major surgery. For the first couple of days dad just has his blood and temperature checked and then keeps asking when he can…
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Story of Randy Pausch
by afc333- 0 replies
- 5.9k views
In today's Sunday Times (2nd Dec 2007) there is the story of Randy Pausch who has pancreatic cancer and lesions on his liver. However he felt well enough to give an outstanding Last Talk lecture at his university of Carnegie Mellon. Its well worth following - not least for his coping mechanisms and humour. I never know whether to recommend articles like this to my wife who is coming up to her 5th year since diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Because of the liver lesions he is taking it for granted that he has six months left. I will mention it actually - somebody at work will almost certainly refer to it to her tomorrow. You can see both his story and speech at http:/…
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Help!!
by PB- 7 replies
- 13.9k views
Hi All My Father was diagnosed with Pancreas Cancer 29/03/2007 after being ill for 4 weeks. He is waiting to see a consultant(11/04) for the camera down and stent. He is very jaundiced but we have told this due to the bile not emptying form Gall Blabber etc. and I know the Stent thingy should help this. He also has shadows on his liver and the GP has told us it is inoperable and he may not be able to have Cemo or Radio. From the little we know and reading the info. on this and other sites, I know the prognosis isn't good, especially as it appears to have spread to the liver. The most alarming sympton at the moment is the weight loss and lack of apetite I aske…
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sorry haven't posted about mum!
by claude- 3 replies
- 8k views
hi everyone I'm sorry that i haven't posted to update on mum for ages but have been having a diffcult time.We did get too spain as mum wished and all in all it was a sucessful but emotional trip. However since returning mum has gone downhill fast she has had several boughts of pnuemonia and her system seems to be breaking down she is now completeley incontinent hasn't eaten in a month except fortejuice drinks and now her eyesight has gone.We nursed her at home as she wished for as long as we could but she is now in the hospice as we just couldn't go on.Before she went in i literally nursed her for five days without rest. The hospice staff are amazing and are keeping her…