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.

Hi op am glad you have got to the beach today. BIL given same diagnosis yesterday and now waiting for a plan Hope MDT get back to you ASAP so you have a treatment plan to focus on .Sending you brave vibes Xx💕💪Xx

I'm so sorry about what's happening to you and your lovely family. You have been in my thoughts and prayers since I read your post. I've lost a couple of family members to pancreatic cancer, one only recently and I remember that shock/scared feeling all to well at the start. I wish you the very best and hope you have a lot of wonderful time with your family🌹

Sending you love and strength. You can do this, whatever the prognosis turns out to be.

You and your boys, DH, are in my thoughts.

Love from Spain xxx

Thinking of you and sending love

❤️hoping for a good plan of action from the meeting today

@WilsonMilson I am so sorry. A few things we learned from my dad's diagnosis.... pancreatic cancer is a terrifying and heartbreaking diagnosis, yes. And it has very low survival rate, yes. BUT just because there's a low survival percentage does NOT mean that you can't be in that low percentage. I know everything right now feels terrifying and like this might be the end, but that doesn't mean you can't have hope. I will be thinking of you and praying for you, as far as the prayers of an atheist go!

I think one of the things that would be really helpful to plan for if you can, and this is a hard thing to hear, is to be clear about what you'd like in terms of funeral plans. It will help your husband and son to feel like they're doing what you would have wanted, if it does come to that.

New advances are being made literally every day in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. There are a lot of chances out there for you - please do hold to that!

Another stranger thinking and praying for you today. I read your thread this morning and I can't stop thinking of you. I've been getting myself quite stressed about the monotony of daily life with 2 young children recently - thankyou for putting this in perspective, I've just sent my husband a text to tell him I love him and will cuddle my children a little harder tonight.

I'm glad you made it to the beach and that your mum is with you now. Sending you love and strength.

What a beautiful view.

@WilsonMilson

I only saw this thread an hour or so ago (but we've chatted on another thread) I got to your 'last post' post and burst into tears. I was scrolling through replies & was SO Pleased to see you'd posted again 😍

It's a shock of a diagnosis, but treatment has improved SO SO much I'm very
hopeful they can get you sorted out.

it's lovely your DH is reading along (Hi x) and can post if you're not feeling up to it.

I'm glad you've made it to the beach today. I lived overseas for years, right near the beach (2min walk) & I miss it so much. There's nothing like it IMO.

I hope you hear from your MDT soon, so you have a plan!

we're all here rooting for you 🌸💕

I can't stop thinking about you either since I read your thread.

I'm not a flowery person who is going to give you hope to cling to. Pancreatic cancer with liver cancer as a secondary tumour has an extreme poor prognosis. Only you know what time the doctors have given you.

OP, we are all dying from the moment we are born, we don't know when but we know it'll happen. You are way too young to be facing mortality and the realisation of everything you are leaving behind, your son most of all.

Put your affairs in order. Write letters to your son and DH if you have the strength to do so. Ask for counselling, if available - accepting there is nothing you can do to prevent a final outcome, goes a long way to give you peace.

I know nothing about pancreases but DH had liver mets from bowel cancer, 2 and 5cm, and they were able to get them out no problem (well, open abdominal surgery, but it was a bread and butter job for the surgical team). As I understand it where they are in the liver is as important as the size. Livers regenerate themselves. And there are people who live with liver mets for years and years with minimal effects.

A note on research: stay away from Google. The cancer thread here is good. The Macmillan forums are excellent, because they are moderated by people who know what they're talking about. Otherwise try to avoid general googling, in my experience you end up with a mix of crackpot theories and medical journal articles you will drive yourself mad trying to make sense of. You should get a Macmillan nurse too - if you are ever uncertain of anything or find you've come out of an appointment and aren't actually clear on what's next, that's who to speak to.

I read your post yesterday in tears and am so pleased you came back to the thread and got the beach- nothing like sea air.

My heart breaks for you. I lost my wonderful dad to pancreatic cancer.

You and your family are in my thoughts x

Wishing you and your family all the best, and I'm very much hoping the doctors can offer you some good options. It sounds like you're navigating your way though it admirably. Xx

My dad had a surprise diagnosis (industrial disease which caused an aggressive cancer with a short prognosis) and I recall very clearly that feeling of having the rug pulled from underneath us.

There really aren’t any words. Wishing you some lighter moments in amongst the darker ones 🌸

I’m so searching for some sort of peace in the turmoil, so this is such a comfort thank you.

The kindness of everyone here is such a blessing to my family. Please keep your quotes coming, they are helping us all!

Hang in there Wilson, it’s not over till the fat lady sings.
Glad you made it to the coast!

You are in my thoughts xx

Another stranger, who's been thinking of you a lot over the past 24 hours. Hopefully the fresh air today brings you some peace and you get some relief from the pain soon

So pleased to see you made it to the beach and that you now have your mum with you. I imagine having her there will make a huge difference for you and for her. I hope your son is doing as well as can be expected too. One day at a time or even one hour at a time is the way to go.

We are with you and holding your hand. 💐

Hi OP - so glad you got to enjoy the beach today. I’m a big fan of this Khalil Gibran quote:

“When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.”

Sending you un-mumsnetty hugs xx

I read your original thread and am so sorry how things have moved forward. Sending lots of positive thoughts to you ❤️

I have no words except to most sincerely send you my love and best of wishes. ❤️

Sending lots of love to you and your family. I am so sorry

Please make sure you push your GP for the best pain relief you can get. My partner has a problem with his pancreas and gets recurrent pancreatitis and that pain is something else. Hopefully they will be sympathetic and give you more than the normal mild painkillers and make things a bit more comfortable for you.

I'm so glad you made it to the beach Wilson.

Now that I know you're in NI, there's a million Seamus Heaney quotes springing up
In my head, but here's my fave.

"Walk on air against your better judgment"

We'll all walk with you ❤️