My lovely MiL went for a routine scan about 18 months ago for something unrelated and they spotted a growth on her pancreas. They operated and removed it and most/all of her pancreas. She had chemo after. She's 80 and the chemo took it out of her...a lot of worries about temperature spikes/small infections so she missed a few sessions and they delayed a load. She ended up not having the full lot for this reason.
They have since seen some spots on her lungs which they have said that due to her age and general well-being they won't treat.
This was about 6 months ago. Since then we haven't heard much, my husband stays with her for a few nights every week and we saw her at Christmas. She is really quite weak and tired, she falls asleep regularly and seems very distant. She has a persistent cough which the docs apparently aren't concerned about. She told my husband the other day that she is always in pain in various places, but she thinks it is just 'part of the condition', so she takes paracetamol three times a day.
I don't know what to think. She's very pragmatic and stoical so while she would be honest with people, she's not the type to harp on about every detail. Does this all sound like she is actively poorly? I mean, does it sound like she 'has cancer' and is ill with it, as against just an aging lady with spots on her lungs?