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

[Earlandmrsgrey]

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.

Good luck tomorrow. I’ll be thinking of you and waiting patiently for an update xx

I’ve had all my cancer treatment at the Free and can’t fault them. They have amazing surgeons and are under the same trust as uch that’s why they have the MDT meetings with them. I think once you are in the system it all happens quickly. Wishing you the best. I’d only go private for the food I wouldn’t be fussed otherwise as it’s all the sane consultants.

wishing you massive luck for tomorrow. The nurses in HDU are lovely.

Just discovered this thread. Best of luck for tomorrow, OP. I'll be thinking of you.

Hope it goes well tomorrow

Good luck for tomorrow!

Good luck tomorrow. I’ll be thinking of you and sending many healing vibes x

All the best for tomorrow!

Best wishes for tomorrow, hope it all goes well 💐

Goodbye, Gary! Not gonna miss ya!

Hang in there, Earl. Nearly there.

The very best of fortune to you OP. I will be thinking of you and hoping the positive vibes of an anonymous stranger find you from not too far away xx

All the best for the surgery tomorrow.

Sending love

Sending best wishes and healing vibes for tomorrow x

Hope all goes well tomorrow x

Good luck tomorrow OP

Bye-bye Gary. You know the party's over and there's a scalpel with your name on it, don't you?

It's not the same (not as dangerous for a start) but at the beginning of 2007, I had a fibroid about the size of a melon (my consultant, when pressed, said it was somewhere between a honeydew and a watermelon) feasting on my blood supply. I was exhausted, in pain all the time and borderline anaemic. I didn't have the insanely heavy periods many women with fibroids experience, it was all down to the growth and its gargantuan appetite. I'm sure I don't have to tell you how relieved I was to get rid of the horrible thing - it was me or it! I didn't give it a name, but Pazuzu (the entity in The Exorcist) would have been appropriate.

Wishing you all the best for tomorrow and for a smooth recovery. 🍇💐

Sending very best wishes for a successful op & a smooth & swift recovery xx

All the very best for Gary’s eviction tomorrow.

Gary’s going to be a gonner!

I bet you can get some of those questions answered before they put you to sleep tomorrow.

Sending love and best wishes for a speedy recovery. xx

Good luck for tomorrow, OP. I hope you can get some rest tonight x

Wishing you all the best and a speedy, smooth recovery.

Best of luck for tomorrow OP. Good riddance to Gary 🤞

Rooting for you @Earlandmrsgrey. Internal organs are for lightweights.

Sayonara Gary, you won’t be missed…

I've been following your journey but have now come to say good luck for tomorrow and a speedy recovery...x

I hope the op goes well, and recovery doesn't feel too much of a shock to the body. I think ask all the interesting questions you want, I think the better the players the better the surgeon. Wishing you the best and glad the pace of treatment has kicked into gear now.