Mum's diagnosis

Saw mum today and she looked so frail. She's still being sick and isn't eating. She said she has no appetite at all and no energy!

I had to go to my dr today as I have sciatica, which I don't have time for, but these things are sent to try us! I spoke to him about mum and he is going to see her tomorrow.

Worried is an understatement! I hate hate hate this cancer!

She Also said it has made her go deaf! Has anyone else experienced deafness?

Thinking of everyone going through this nightmare.

Sue x

Sorry to hear this Sue. Very difficult and surreal time. Nothing prepares us for it. My mum didn't lose her hearing but was so unwell in such a short time. Take care and thinking of you. Love Cate Xx

Thankyou Cate I am beside myself! My sister in law just text me and said my mum has text her and said she is too unwell for a visit tomorrow. I hope the dr will sort her out and give her something for the sickness and something to give her an appetite.

I can hardly move at the moment because of sciatica so that's not helping.

Sue x

Sorry to hear you are not well either. My mum didn't want to see anyone either. Think this is pretty normal. If you can stay strong and cherish your mum. Lots and lots of love Cate xxxx

Ps my mums lovely Macmillan nurse in liaison with her district nurse gave her something for her appetite and sickness xx

The doctor (GP) went to see her today and prescribed different anti sickness tablets and more drinks, she doesn't like them! Managed to get hold of the hospital and her oncologists registrar phoned her at home tonight and has arranged to see her at11a.m in the morning. She told her on the phone they may take her in but we will see! Mum doesn't want to go in to hospital. I just want them to sort her out and build her up so she at least has some strength to keep fighting!

She has also been booked in for a CT scan next week even though she has only had 3 chemos! I am worried about this.

She has gone downhill quickly from this last lot of chemo I'm not sure why!

I am in pain from my back and struggling to move but I feel guilty moaning about it!

Tomorrow's another day! sue x

Mum was admitted to hospital today. Her blood pressure was low and she was dehydrated. She is now on a potassium fluid drip and they are going to give her a CT scan . She seemed brighter this afternoon. She has lost 11LB in last week!

The oncologist said it could be the chemo that had made her so sick or the pancreas is pressing on something.

I have never witnessed such a awful evil disease as this. Sue x

Im sorry your mum has been taken into hospital but its the best place to get her sorted. Glad shes a bit brighter this afternoon.

My husband was admitted to hospital on Tuesday and they found tumours in lymph nodes in the original site of his whipples, were causing a blockage and the immnense pain. Hes getting a stent fitted next week. Hope your mum gets sorted very soon and your back improves, take care x

Hi Sue

Sorry your Mums in hospital. Have they checked your Mums blood sugar? My husband was really sick after one of his chemo sessions. He lost 10kg in a week and was badly dehydrated. He was admitted to hospital and rehydrated but was still not better. It was on the 3rd day in hospital that his blood sugar was checked and he was off the charts. Once put on insulin he was fine. I imagine it has been checked, but it is worth checking as PC can cause diabeties. Hope your back is getting better.

Sue H

Mum is still in hospital. She has been on a potassium drip and has had bloods and urine tests done. They keep saying she is having 2 CT scans on her head and abdomen! Not sure about the head why would they do that? She hardly eats or drinks and is very down. She said tonight she doesn't want to do anything she can't be bothered. She seems very tired. She asked the nurses if she could go home but they said she must have the scan first. I must admit I'm worried! This is not my Mum!

My back is getting better and I have physio tomorrow but I still feel guilty moaning about it...it seems insignificant!

This disease is evil and I'm not sure where we go from here there is just nothing anyone can do.

Sue x

Hi Sue,

sorry to hear your mum is so unwell, I reiterate what Sue H says, please make sure they have checked blood sugars, Trevor too lost 7 Kilos due to high blood sugar caused by the folfirinox and particularly the steroids, it made him feel truly dreadful, they put him on insulin and he felt much better. As PC is such a such a specialist disease the nurses might well not have checked blood sugar as a matter of course. take care sandrax

Mum is still in hospital but had her CT scans this afternoon. Still not sure why they did one on her head maybe we will know tomorrow. She is still having potassium fluid. Had a good chat with the nurses on here this afternoon and received some great advice on the creons. All this information has been passed onto my mum and I even took her in some apricot jam.

Mum is scared to hear the news of her scan results and I have asked the nurses for a member of the family to be with her just in case!

I hope they let her go home tomorrow as she is just not eating in the hospital.

What a nightmare! Sue x

Just received the news I was dreading! Mum's tumor has grown and is now pressing on the bowel! They want to put in another stent. I am going to the hospital at 3p.m and I'm not sure how I am going to be. Absolutely heartbroken! What happens now?

Sue x

Sue im so sorry your mums tumour has grown,the stent should ease the pressure on her bowel

xx

Sue, so sorry about your news, hope you cope ok this afternoon, just be strong for your mum,

thinking of you sandrax

Hi Sue,

Sorry to hear this news - it must be devastating.

Yes, I imagine the stent will be a duodenal stent to open up the blockage and allow food to pass through again. Should certainly help with the vomiting.

How is your mum after this news?

Thinking of you,

Kind regards,

Jeni.

Thinking of you Sue. It's relentless isn't it. Take care and glad your back a bit better, Cate xxx

Mum wasn't as bad as I thought she is still positive! They are going to put the stent in as soon as they can but will probably be next week now! She is on potassium and steroid drip. They are going to feed her intravenously as from tomorrow so fluids only at the moment. Waited from 3 p.m until 7 p.m to see registrar but she didn't come. Won 't really know much until she speaks to us. We know there is a bowel blockage but haven't been told anything else.

She said to me tonight she can't wait to go out for a proper meal and she is going to go to her favourite place! I am so happy she was thinking like that.

I am actually very scared and I can't see a way forward. I love her to bits and would do anything to help her but I can't!

You only get one Mum!

Thankyou Cate I know you understand where I am coming from. Sue x

Its OK and normal to be scared, but I am sure you will cope with whatever is thrown at you, we all do, we have to. Good to hear your Mum is still positive, it means she is feeling a little better at least, lets hope she gets out for that special meal soon. You do only get one Mum, but having lost mine nearly 3 years ago now, she is still here with me every day, just let your Mum know how much you love her, which I am sure you do.take care sandrax

Mums still in hospital! They managed to place a stent in her bowel successfully thank goodness and have said when she is stable she can go home. We have tried and tried to talk to a DR but with no success until tonight but he would only talk about her hospital stay. I have no idea where we go from here! I think she will be given an outpatient appointment. Her consultant is seeing her tomorrow but we won't be there.

I am In turmoil I don't know what to do for the best! Do I ask for compassionate leave now for a couple of months or do I wait? I need to help my stepfather, who is 85, if she comes home but what if this goes on for months? I really don't know what to do for the best.

Has anyone else been in this position? I know the Dr's can't give a time limit but they must know if we are looking at weeks or months. I want to spend all my time with her and help as much as I can.

I did my icebucket challenge for Pancreatic Cancer UK tonight it was chilly! Sue x

Sue, I'm glad your mum's stent op was successful. Sorry to hear about your sciatica, I know how painful and debilitating it can be and especially now. Well done on the ice bucket challenge, you are braver than me.

I can't answer your query, but I do understand your dilemma. I'm still working full time as James wants everything as normal as possible, but it is hard as since chemo started he is struggling with a lot of stuff and is increasingly bad tempered, but I know it's all the toxins in his body and he is always sorry afterwards. I take as many days as holidays as I can as I just worry about missing precious time with him, but he says he will be OK and he had always been there to tell me everything will be OK, so I can't even contemplate anything else.

I hope the consultant can offer something to help your mum tomorrow.

Fiona X

Thank you Fiona I was signed off because of my back so I think I will phone Dr today and get it extended. I should know how things are going to work out in next couple of weeks. My stepfather won't cope on his own with my mum! My stepmother has dementia so I try to help my dad as well. What an awful time! Sue x

Morning Sue,

Take the time off Sue. This time is very precious.

Love Cate xxxx

Hi Sue, it truly is a dreadful time for you, I understand how difficult this must be for you trying to balance all the balls, but I agree with Cate, take the time off if it is possible.take care sandrax

Mum was discharged yesterday afternoon from hospital. She is eating tiny amounts of soft food and sipping drinks. They sent her home with no back up plan other than an outpatient appointment on the 10th September! Today I spoke to district nurses to organise a blood test that the hospital want they had no referral! Spoke to McMillan who had no idea she had been in hospital! They are going round to see her tomorrow. Spoke to her GP who also had no idea she had been in hospital and has now been discharged!

When I saw her today she hadn't taken her tablets in the morning that she was supposed to! Surely some visits for a couple of days from the nurses should have been arranged!

Spoke to my work today and I am just going to do a few hours each week for the next couple of weeks. At least that will keep me sort of sane!

Oh well let's see what tomorrow brings! Sue x