DH pancreatic lesion with symptoms

I’d be heading home. Their quick turnaround suggests your H should probably be seen PDQ.

What do you know about the lesion? Is this the first you’ve heard about it? Is it smooth? It’s symptomatic so I’d be attempting to rearrange the holiday bit strongly suggesting you all go home.

I personally wouldn’t be able to enjoy a holiday with that hanging over me anyway.

Of its pancreatic cancer, only surgery can give him a chance of survival. The criteria fir surgery is very strict and days can make a difference.

OP, your OH is probably totally petrified and riddled with anxiety.

Don't push him to go back at this point, focus on being there for him. Show empathy and love. He will change his mind.

Its very hard for you too so make sure you have someone who can be there for you too.

A colleague of mine was at the most borderline point of surgery vs no surgery. They finally agreed to surgery. It was two days before Xmas. It was successful. She's been free of cancer for over 10 years now.

I know two people who were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, both only found by luck during a scan of the gallbladder. One died within weeks and the other was early enough for surgery. I wouldn't mess about with this type of cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is very different from other cancers and moves fast.

monkfruitmartini
I understand your point, I really do.

It would potentially be delaying an appointment by days rather than weeks.

A cancer diagnosis is the start of an horrendous emotional and physically gruelling journey. I’ve simply recommended speaking to the consultants secretary and if there’s a chance of enjoying the holiday and seeing the consultant a few days later then they ‘might’ choose that option.

If I were him and I wanted to enjoy my holiday, I would ring on Monday and have a discussion about when the next appointment would be when you return and how much can be done as a phone consultation.

I have cancer. If that’s what it is, realistically, waiting a few days longer to see the consultant isn’t going to make a difference. It is a long slog between those early appointments to surgery and treatment. There will be a lot of appointments to follow and they can coordinate those over the coming days so there is no delay. The consultant appointment will just be discussing what they found and saying what the next steps will be. Those next steps can be actioned while you enjoy your holiday. It’s also very likely the appointment itself can be done over the phone (they would probably want to palpate his abdomen, but that can be done next time). If he hasn’t had bloods done, they will want to do those too, but he can just run to the hospital when he’s back to have those done.

Really I think he’s actually probably taking the most sensible approach. Let him enjoy his holiday and let them start getting the ball rolling during these days so everything is ready to go when he gets back.

Pancreatic cancer - if that is what it is - is notorious for poor outcomes if not caught in time. Even then...

Pancreatic cancer is not breast cancer. He is a fool to put this appointment off, or in heavy denial.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in June, diagnosed on the Thursday and due to go on a family holiday the following Monday. I was then given a consultant surgeon appointment on the Thursday whilst we would be on holiday. I wasn’t sure what to do. I spoke with my consultants secretary and she suggested we go on the holiday, try to relax and enjoy family time, one week wouldn’t make any difference. An appointment was made for the day after we returned.

If you’re husband is diagnosed there will be difficult months ahead. I wish you both the best.

I think he should go, but I guess a few days isn’t going to change much. If he can move it to a week later then I guess try and enjoy your break. I think i’d want to turn around personally and go to the appointment.

If there’s any appointment to cut short your holiday for it’s that one. So sorry for your stress OP, you must be demented.

I'd want to go home and he attend the appointment. It sounds like they want to see him urgently and if it's anything serious you'd want to catch it early.

How easy is it to get home from UK? Where are you based?

That’s really harsh! Men are known for putting off medical appointments. If it’s serious enough for an urgent appointment I’d insist on going back.
sending love and hoping all ok.

He's a grown-up and you're not his mother. Let him make decisions about his own body. He may well need the holiday if he's got difficult times ahead.