Pancreatic Cancer UK

Dearest Mo, I'm ridiculously happy to see this post. These firsts are hell and the seconds not much better but we are all still here and very slowly, adjusting to life alone by whatever means works for us. The things you have done are not small or insignificant they are massive and involve so many c...

As veema says but would also speak to the nurses on here about both topics. Most doctors and the nutritionalist we spoke to did not know the correct dose of Creon (you can't overdose) and under prescribed it which resulted in bad tummy pain and indigestion. My husband had cancer in the tail and stil...

I suggest you look at some of the threads, especially those from 2016 in the carers and family section. You will see that no two journeys are the same, they get progressively weaker, some slowly and some with alarming speed. My advice would be not to wait, (why would you?) do as many of the things o...

Dear Fairy, I'm so sorry you and your Mum find yourself in this position. Please do contact Macmillan Finance and get your Mums claim for financial support rolling if you have not already done so, their number is on the Macmillan website. You need for DS1500 from your GP or specioalist nurse and the...

There is no way of telling when or how someone will go. Some, who are otherwise in good health and where surgery is appropriate or there is a good response to treatment, may have years. For others who have more complex health issues or who are older or weaker may go within weeks or months. No two pe...

I am not sure the surgeon is the right person to have this conversation with. A surgeon speaks about what he or she as a surgeon can do. It is physically possible for him to remove the pancreas but what you want to know is, what does the recovery entail, what quality of life might you expect given y...

Dear Staystrong, I'm so sorry you find yourself on here but heartened to know your Mum has already beaten the statistics for survival by a huge margin, she must she must have had great strength and good support from you all. I know how hard it must be for you but sadly no one can tell you how long s...

Darling Mo, The words will not come through the tears, I am reliving these days with you but I remembered this poem which says it all really. We who have kept vigil are all walking beside you and we hope our prayers hold you up when you are too exhausted. Let us come in where you are weeping, friend...

Well done Mo, you got him to the right place and you can rest from caring now and be his wife. You could never let the side down so don't worry about the state of your clothes and hair. Have a tidy up if it makes you feel better and don't if it is too much effort.

Love to you all,

M xxx

I think a pad on the bed and some incontinence pants would give your Mum a bit more confidence and it sounds like it would be helpful to have the items listed earlier in the thread to help keep your Mum clean and fresh unless she is able to shower or bathe herself.

Marmalade

Hi Christine, This is a question for the GP I'm afraid. As to the fact that your Mum needs help with her personal care, that is what the attendance allowance is for. I strongly suggest that you arrange to go with Mum to the GP or ask the GP to call when you are at home with your Mum so that the appr...

Well done Mo, Good course of action, I'm sure they are the right people to make him comfortable. I've known this happen a few times, just needs a bit more palliative experience to get them back on an even keel. I think you might rest easier too knowing he is safe. Good old Saint Jude x I know what y...

Hi Christine, You can ask for an appointment to speak with your Mum's GP. The GP does not have to share information with you but you can give him or her information on what is happening with your Mum at the moment and your concerns about how she will be cared for and kept comfortable. I was not a pa...

Dear Christine, I'm sure you are finding this all very difficult, it is not easy for any of us. If your Mum's symptoms are under control (all of them) and if she wants to be cared for at home then the hospital will allow her to go home but should ensure a care plan is in place if there is no one abl...

Dear Christine, So sorry to hear your news, it doesn't matter if it is something you have encountered before, you only have one Mum and it's ghastly news, my heart goes out to you. I'm glad you have found the forum and hope you will get comfort and the information you seek from it. One of the many i...