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Cancer

Find advice & support if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer

Likely pancreatic cancer. How do I tell my mum that I'm probably dying from the same thing that killed my father?

981 replies

Earlandmrsgrey · 19/08/2025 20:33

As the title says. Been suffering with bowel problems/pain for sixth months. GP decides it must be IBS as bloods are fine, it's not coeliac disease and multiple fit test are negative. I'm not sure and carry on in more and more pain until I eventually feel a lump just under my ribs on the left. Have to wait ages to see another GP but he has a feel and sends a referral straight off for an urgent ultrasound. Ultrasound results show hydronephrosis of the left kidney with a possible tumour and more worrying of all is a mass in the tail of the pancreas.

I've not seen anyone else yet so still early on in the diagnosis but I know it's not good. I've been feeling more and more lethargic, I'm in more and more pain, my back is agony and I'm losing so much weight.

Fifteen years ago my beloved father had the same symptoms, he knew he was dying months before diagnosis and I was the only one who believed him. Eventually he got the diagnosis and lived for another fifteen days. I think I have longer than that as I'm still functioning fairly well but I know the outlook will be poor.

How do I tell my mother? I spoke to her a few weeks ago saying that I was unwell. All she could say was "please don't let it be the pancreas." I just want to protect her, that's who I am. Always the one to look out for others before herself. Then there is my husband who is not one to cope and then my young adult sons.

So sad.

OP posts:
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Cluborange666 · 16/09/2025 23:04

Good luck ❤️

Qashgal · 16/09/2025 23:39

As a user of (sometimes black) humour to get me through life I approve of your approach. You are going through a horrible time and it must be such a struggle to make sense of it all.
As you are spending some time in hospitals just now you might like s humour. She is a nurse from Rochdale who now lives in Adelaide and doesnt suffer fools.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/hP2Sr2V-sfY?si=6VtsE-LfdUX_SFpv

caringcarer · 16/09/2025 23:44

I hope you get it sorted soon OP and that private insurance will allow you to have treatment at Wellington. It must be awful just waiting. Maybe do some more cross-stitch to pass time and take the Orimorph if you need to. Fingers crossed for you.

chatgptsbestmate · 17/09/2025 05:40

Blimey.....you're going through the mill. More hugs and love ❤️

anyolddinosaur · 17/09/2025 07:29

Are they planning to operate at the Royal Free or UCL, bit confused by the various hospitals? Anyway hopefully it will be out Friday and you'll be on to the recovery stage.

Clearinguptheclutter · 17/09/2025 07:39

Wishing you the very best. What an awful time you’ve been having but it looks like you very nearly understand what you’re dealing with

Typicalwave · 17/09/2025 07:45

Thinking of you. Sending luck your way

Earlandmrsgrey · 17/09/2025 09:36

anyolddinosaur · 17/09/2025 07:29

Are they planning to operate at the Royal Free or UCL, bit confused by the various hospitals? Anyway hopefully it will be out Friday and you'll be on to the recovery stage.

Tell me about it!!! I'm currently in the Royal Free and should have surgery here via private insurance as they wouldn't cover the Wellington but do cover Royal Free. Now I just need to work out what happens next and when I get moved to the private wing. Mind you, I'm currently happy here as I have some great ward mates.

Need a shower now. Wasn't expecting everything to move this quickly when we arrived here on Sunday night. Only got a small overnight wash kit so need to ask for shower gel....and tampons. FFS why do I have to have a period now!!!

Decided to call the tumour Gary. I've taken a long while to come up with the right name. I didn't want something like Donald because I don't want to be beaten/battered by a Donald. Gary seems more innocuous and I only associate Gary with a friend's late cat. It could also be short for Gigantic And Really Yucky.

OP posts:
anyolddinosaur · 17/09/2025 15:49

I can see the attraction of the name but I worked with a nice Gary once so hope the tumour will be equally benign.

If you have nice ward mates maybe no point in moving before the op and they'll just take you back to the private wing.

notapizzaeater · 17/09/2025 16:48

My tumour was called Fred !

Typicalwave · 17/09/2025 16:53

Earlandmrsgrey · 17/09/2025 09:36

Tell me about it!!! I'm currently in the Royal Free and should have surgery here via private insurance as they wouldn't cover the Wellington but do cover Royal Free. Now I just need to work out what happens next and when I get moved to the private wing. Mind you, I'm currently happy here as I have some great ward mates.

Need a shower now. Wasn't expecting everything to move this quickly when we arrived here on Sunday night. Only got a small overnight wash kit so need to ask for shower gel....and tampons. FFS why do I have to have a period now!!!

Decided to call the tumour Gary. I've taken a long while to come up with the right name. I didn't want something like Donald because I don't want to be beaten/battered by a Donald. Gary seems more innocuous and I only associate Gary with a friend's late cat. It could also be short for Gigantic And Really Yucky.

Much luck OP.
Tell Gary that he needs to find himself a new home

Earlandmrsgrey · 18/09/2025 19:08

This time tomorrow Gary will be gone, along with most of my left flank. Kidney, colon, probably spleen and tail of pancreas. Every time someone comes in to discuss all I can think to do is make my way through a list of all the other non essential organs. I've got gallbladder, stomach, appendix and 3/4 of liver on that list! Its like a strange coping mechanism and I'm mentally thinking about all the dissections I did during my biology degree!

I have 3 surgeons and all seem very competent and regularly work together. I want to know who makes the first incision, do they take it in turns and pop for a coffee or in between? How do they decide who is in charge of the play list? Why can't I come up with a sensible question?!

Pre-assessment all done and they've eeked the last bit of blood out of the veins on my left arm. I've got loads of pre-op drinks to take and a bathing schedule to follow.

I'm due for surgery at about 11am. Then will recover in hdu for 36-48 hrs. Then back to my room for 7-10 days. You will all have to wait a while for an update.

Once again, thanks for all your supportive messages. This board really has saved me from some dark times and I'm sure it will be needed again during the recovery process.

OP posts:
guiltridden25 · 18/09/2025 19:15

Thinking of you tomorrow OP. It sounds like you have a very capable team taking care of you.

NewAgeNewMe · 18/09/2025 19:15

Best of luck x

Igotjelly · 18/09/2025 19:17

Thinking of you for tomorrow and hoping it all goes well ❤️

Beachtastic · 18/09/2025 19:22

So glad you have a competent team. It must be very strange having no power over what happens next, but can only trust them to know what to do. Imagine this had all unfolded when you were on holiday and you were somewhere no one spoke English! At least you've been able to be involved to some extent in the process, and I'm sure the team looking after you know how to kick Gary into touch. There are no "sensible questions" in your position, only faith in what modern science can now deliver.

3/4 of a liver is not to be sniffed at. Probably more than DH has left, the way he carries on sometimes 😬🥰

Thinking of you for the morning. By the afternoon, just think, Gary will be dealt with.

butterfly0404 · 18/09/2025 19:23

I'll be thinking of you xxx

Clearinguptheclutter · 18/09/2025 19:26

Thinking of you hopefully all has gone well and you’re now recovering

Littlebitpsycho · 18/09/2025 19:46

Thinking of you, looking forward to the update once you're recovering xxx

Abthdust · 18/09/2025 19:49

So long Gary! I wish I could write a song for you but alas not talented enough. We’re here for you. X

anyolddinosaur · 18/09/2025 19:52

It'll just be a month since you first posting. Will be thinking of you tomorrow.

Yennefer17 · 18/09/2025 19:54

Igotjelly · 19/08/2025 20:45

I think it’s important to remember too that 15 years is a long time in terms of advancements in medical care.

Not for pancreatic cancer. (I work in pharma that makes cancer treatments).

Poobs2022 · 18/09/2025 19:58

Wishing you all the luck tomorrow OP! Xx

Here4the · 18/09/2025 20:03

Just stumbled across this but wow what a ride! Thinking of you tomorrow, you are very much due some good luck and a crack team of brilliant surgeons giving Gary the boot sounds just the ticket.

Sagaris · 18/09/2025 20:04

Wishing you all the luck for tomorrow!