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Life-limiting illness

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Original poster

Pancreatic cancer inoperable - how long

91 replies

Lushmetender · 18/01/2022 13:22

DF is 75. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Biopsy was inconclusive but big changes between biopsy and ct scan 4 weeks later. Told chemo won’t make any difference and he’s just lost my mum so don’t think he wants any messing seeing what she went through. Wheels have set in motion for assistance in his local town at home. He’s dotting between his house and ours while he is still able. Has constant dull pains which keep him awake despite meds. He doesn’t think he’ll see past Easter. Saw my gp and she warned it will be v quick so get all affairs in order which he is doing. He’s lost 4 stone in a year. Anyone experienced this and how quick was their deterioration. We have a couple of things planned in coming weeks but I was wondering what to expect and what is it that usually causes the issues eg tumours on vital organs etc? Would love him to have a little quality time but we are just doing our usual routine. Kids don’t know due to having just lost their granny. Any insight would be helpful

OP posts:

Marmite27 · 18/01/2022 13:25

It’s usually quick OP, sorry.

My FIL was diagnosed at the beginning of April, and he lasted to the beginning of September only in real pain from the August. I know a few people who’ve had it, and it was much quicker than that.

I’m really sorry

BoodleBug51 · 18/01/2022 13:29

Family friend was 8 weeks from diagnosis to death.

It is one of those cancers that is frighteningly rapid.

So sorry

JackieQueen · 18/01/2022 13:29

I'm so sorry op, this is a terrible disease, and so soon after losing your mum too. I had a relative with this and I'm afraid it was very quick like the gp said, just a few weeks. My heart goes out to you, you will cherish the time you have left with your lovely dad, sending you strength

TimmyNook · 18/01/2022 13:30

I'm so sorry OP.

My DSIS died of it in 2020. I think in total between diagnosis and her passing was about 10 months. She did have chemo for a few months to try and give her more time though. I can't remember when all treatment ended now but it was only a few months between then and her passing.

If you want, I'm happy for you to DM me.

Dazedandconfused28 · 18/01/2022 13:32

I'm so sorry OP, my Dad died a month from diagnosis, but they were slow to diagnose. But from experience of others I think it will be quite quick. I'm very sorry x

TedOnTheBed · 18/01/2022 13:34

I am sorry to Op my mum was 4 weeks from diagnosis

Memyselfandfood · 18/01/2022 13:42

Im so very sorry op.
Id prepare yourself.
My workfriend lost her parent within the month.

EmmaGellerGreen · 18/01/2022 13:44

So sorry, it’s awful. My dad was 12 weeks between diagnosis and passing away. I hope he’s kept comfortable.

JoyOrbison · 18/01/2022 13:52

Hi Op, my dad was 72 when he passed away from pancrearic cancer.

He died 10 weeks after diagnosis.

I would say the community nurses were legends, and get the gp to start doing home visits now so its an established relationship now, rather than later down tje line.

Dads pain was managed and controlled really welk, he hadca syringe driver to dispense meds at the end so stayed at home for the duration of him being ill and passing away at hime, although a missing bottle of morphine we were convinced dad had drunk leading to the gp increasing his prescription when it turned out mum had misplaced it possibly helped keep his pain under control!

AlexaShutUp · 18/01/2022 13:55

I'm so sorry, OP. I have lost two very dear people to pancreatic cancer. One passed away around 6 weeks after diagnosis. The other went even more quickly, I'm afraid - just a week. I hope that you are able to spend some special time with your lovely dad.

Everdreamer1990 · 18/01/2022 13:59

From my nanna's dx to her passing was about 8 weeks but she was already unwell for a while & wouldn't go to the doctor.

I hope you get to spend as much time with your dad as possible.

Kipperandarthur · 18/01/2022 14:06

For my mother, having had the major Whipple Operation, 3 months.
I’m truly sorry. It’s horrible.

Best to get plans in place asap.

LookMoreCloselier · 18/01/2022 14:10

So sorry to hear about your dad. My dad was 3 weeks from diagnosis of pancreatic cancer to passing away, he was in high dependency pretty much unconscious for his last 5 or so days. He was only 59.

Sausagedogsarethebest · 18/01/2022 15:41

I'm sorry that your DF has had this diagnosis OP. My own DF died from the same illness. He was told around 6 months from diagnosis and they were spot on. I would suggest speaking to his consultant, who should be able to give a best/worst case scenario based on your DF's specific case.

My DF spent a fair bit of time in hospital at the beginning because certain readings from his liver were high and they were trying to get them under control. When they finally allowed him home he was only allowed out on condition we got a hospital type bed and made other adjustments eg commode. He had a week in a hospice for respite which he actually quite enjoyed. His appetite dropped off fairly quickly and it was awful trying to encourage him to eat. One day he'd fancy a particular thing and we'd rush out and get it and the next day he didn't want it. The hospital put him on some special replacement drinks (can't recall what they were called) but they gave him diarrhea. Towards the end it was tiny sips of water, and morphine to help with the pain. He spent a lot of time sleeping. I wish you strength for the days and weeks ahead.

gogohm · 18/01/2022 16:09

Sorry @Lushmetender

Grandad was diagnosed in March and died in May, this is fairly typical we were told. My advice is to get everything in place asap, get on top of pain relief. Wish I could have more positive thoughts

Hoppinggreen · 18/01/2022 16:11

I’m very sorry but it can be very quick.
The young, fit person I knew who got it was a bit unwell and bloated but still running most days and died 8 weeks from his first GP appointment.
Another lady I knew in her 40s lasted 3 months from diagnosis

WhatHaveIFound · 18/01/2022 16:14

I'm so sorry Lushmetender.

I know 3 people who died of it and they were all only a couple of months after diagnosis. How old are your DC?

BarefootHippieChick · 18/01/2022 16:18

I'm so sorry OP. As others have said, it's a frighteningly rapid cancer. Close friend was 3 months from diagnosis, age late 40s. Depending on how old your children are I would tell them sooner rather than later as things could progress extremely quickly.

Lampzade · 18/01/2022 16:21

My sympathies Op x

headintheproverbial · 18/01/2022 16:22

I'm so sorry OP.

We had 12 weeks from diagnosis. It's a sneaking, brutal, horrible cancer.

madisonbridges · 18/01/2022 16:22

My friend was a year to the day. They did have chemo but they were told it was to give time and not a cure.
The last month or so they were bed bound really but up til then, they went away with their partner for weekends to see friends etc.

Suzi888 · 18/01/2022 16:26

I’m so sorry-
My DF had it for a few years the consultant told us and it had spread to other areas, including his brain.
He had a syringe driver and was sent home, it was peaceful as a result.
Two weeks from diagnosis.

Crunched · 18/01/2022 16:26

My DF (64) was diagnosed and told to expect 3 to 6 months. He died 3 months to the day.
There were a few short hospital stays but we did manage a family week away in one of his favourite places and he even organised buying my DM a car as a surprise (they only had a company vehicle until then), so we did have some joy in his final weeks.He died at home with pain relief prescribed by the GP.
Sending

BassAce · 18/01/2022 16:29

My mother was initially diagnosed in the September, and she lasted until the following July (but she did have a series of very invasive and hugely painful operations to insert stents which bought her some extra months). However, once she reached the point of no more possible treatment the deterioration was extremely rapid and rather distressing to watch. I was told by the nurses that treated her that the “average” timeframe for the disease is three months (as much as any medical professional could give an average), but this is often much less as early symptoms are ignored or misdiagnosed so by the time final diagnosis is given it’s often a long way down the path of deterioration.

My mum was a tough old boot, and fought it to the bitter end, but she way surpassed all the doctors and medical professionals expectations. So I think she is in no way the norm for the disease.

I’m sorry you are facing this, it’s a horrendous disease. My thoughts are with you x

userlotsanumbers · 18/01/2022 16:34

I'm sorry to hear your bad news. My mother died of this.

It's very quick. Tends to be measured in weeks not months. The main reason it is so quick, as I understand it, is that the tumour tends to block the bile duct which drains bile from the liver. This affects digestion and in a short time stops the liver functioning.

This stops everything else functioning too, so the end comes quickly. Get him to ask for the strongest painkillers he can, and keep taking them. Keep on top of the pain, don't let the pain take hold - once it takes hold it's not easy to get rid of. And it is painful, I'm so sorry.

Do everything you can now, get painkillers in now, engage with hospice and district nurses sooner rather than later.

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