Pancreatic and liver cancer

[WilsonMilson]

Diagnosed today. I can’t believe it. I thought I had gallstones. The liver tumour is already 7cm, I can’t even remember what the pancreatic one was, it’s on the head of the pancreas. They did more CT scans to see further spread but I don’t have those results yet.
I just am in a blur.
My pain has been getting really bad the last few days and I’m worried this is it. I will have a meeting probably next week to discuss the plan for treatment -if any.

I’m not ready. I’m 45. I have a son and a lovely husband. I have elderly parents.

I’ve gone into hyper organisation mode. It’s madness really, but tonight I bought birthday cards for my son, husband and mum for the next 4 years. I’ve been transferring money to different accounts to make it more accessible. I’ve emailed my son’s school, I’ve started writing to do lists.

My mum is flying in on Friday and will stay with me. I’m just so devastated and so sorry for my poor son and husband. I cannot believe this.

https://edinburghcasting.com/

This would be a fab idea. Also the teddy bears you can make out of favourite clothes. Maybe these would bring comfort to your lovely husband and son.

Wishing you calm and peace. Xx

I've been moved to tears.
I don't have advice, not for a woman as strong as you.
You're such a beautiful woman Pamela, if you were my mum I'd be the proudest kid in this world.
Im glad you have such amazing support.
I can send good thoughts, for you and your wonderful family, I wish I could do more.

So sorry to hear all this OP.

You are in my prayers.

That's good if they might actually do something soon.

So often cancer isn't a death sentence these days, with treatment people can often live with it for a long time. xx

I just found your thread today and couldn't read it and not send a message of love and support to you, Kerr and Jacob. I'm so sorry for what you are going through and how bad you are feeling. I've been moved to tears by your story and I'm sure I'm not the only one. I will hold you all in my prayers, and wish I could offer more than that.

I’ve created a new thread as this one is almost full. I cannot thank you all enough for your support. https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/life_limiting_illness/4838942-pamela-bile-duct-cancer-last-thread-pancreatic-and-liver?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

Gosh, this is heartbreaking. I’m so sorry that you’re having to go through this. 🙁

Hugs xx

I am so sorry, sending you lots of love x

❤️ from the south coast.

I am so sorry to read this OP, but don't think it's over.

There are things you can do to manage the cancers until they are surgically removed - honestly the nhs needs to up its game here because you can't wait weeks for surgery, just wish it had been funded properly instead of downgraded to being worse that health systems in the developing world.

Start researching - https://sarahcannon.com/for-patients/learn-about-cancer/hepatobiliary-cancer/nutrition.dot

https://www.healthline.com/health/pancreatic-cancer/diet

Stop eating refined sugars, trans fats and vegetable oils esp palm oils. Eat lean meats, oily fish, vegetables all lightly cooked by steam or other means at c100oC max. No frying or baking at all.

My cousins hubby survived stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Sadly 12m later, they knew it had become liver cancer and chose not to scan him for 12 weeks by which stage it was too late to operate. Chemo did not work, so his oncologist basically killed him :(

Pls push, push and push to get the treatment you need.

Sending a big hug. Now go fight for your life xxx

God love you. I am terrified for you. You write beautifully, you are so articulate. The only thing i can say is don't give up hope and don't listen to the horror stories. You have got a fight on your hands so do you best to fight that bloody cancer.

Absolutely no help to you advice wise, but couldn't just scroll away without wishing you strength ❤️ so sorry for your news x

Hi Pamela, you are very local to me from the location of one of your photos. You have a beautiful family! I am so sorry this is happening to you and that you feel so let down by the care you have received. I will keep you and your boys in my prayers ❤️

There is a new thread for Pamela now everyone x

I am so sorry to hear this. Its not always a death sentence. I have two friends (facebook groups) who have pancreatic cancers and both have lived for more than five years, both a lot older than you and with secondaries. Im a nurse and treatments are moving on and improving. Please try not to panic or second guess what you will be told.

I am so very sorry you and your family are having to deal with this ❤️

My Mum had pancreatic cancer with liver spread - please don’t panic when I said had - she passed away from an underlying health condition and not the cancer.

Mum had a good plan of care from both oncology and gastroenterology they put stents into her bile duct to reduce her jaundice and she had a chemo plan in place (Mum wasn’t eligible for the whipple) I looked on all the research sites and networks for clinical trials - Mum got accepted for one in Southampton and the GP and oncology team had a comprehensive medication plan sorted - with pain medication being the key element.

Pancreatic cancer uk were good for resources and information- especially things like what to eat after treatment or if her stomach was a bit upset.

Also if you feel you need too, get a second opinion - especially for your treatment/ care plan. I think nowadays you need to get that through your GP.

Thinking of you all ❤️❤️

How do we access the new thread? X

Op the thread will fill up soon but I will keep thinking of you xx

Greetings from Cholangiocarcinoma land.
I was diagnosed last August and had half my liver and a bile duct removed at the beginning of October. Pretty hefty surgery for an old bird like me but I came through it OK and my liver regenerated in just under three months; I'm currently in remission. So not all bad news.
I'm a pragmatist and what will be will be. I've pulled on my my big girl pants and made all the arrangements that need sorting, put all our paperwork in order, chucked out half my wardrobe and done my knicker and bra drawer out!
So many trips to charity shops and the skip, you wouldn't believe it.
There isn't a cupboard in this house that hasn't been blitzed. It was strangely comforting getting it done; here was something I could actually control.
The only advice I can give you is not to feel as if you're at war with your cancer. Those cancer cells are not your enemy, they're just poor little cells that have lost part of their dna, they have no idea what they should be doing and are huddled together doing what broken cells do, they're trying to survive. They don't know they're hurting you. So try and be kind to them even though you're planning on evicting them soon.
Try to stay calm in the the middle of all this uncertainty, conserve your strength, both mental and physical, and stop Googling every symptom, that's taking your valuable time away from your family and, more importantly, from yourself. Spoil yourself, buy that perfume that's "too expensive", eat all the good stuff but don't forget to eat the naughty stuff too!
Please accept a huge virtual hug from me and know that you are not alone, your family and friends will be your best medicine over the coming months so find something to smile about every day if you can.

Bless you.

New thread is here:

So glad to hear you are in remission. I hope your post hasn't been lost in the outpourings. Your way of describing cancer cells is revelatory and I can really see how visualising them this way might bring a degree of mental easing. Wise words. X

It doesn’t take me anywhere

Pamela - Bile Duct Cancer (last thread pancreatic and liver) http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/lifelimitingg_illness/4838942-pamela-bile-duct-cancer-last-thread-pancreatic-and-liver