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Pamela thread 3 - Bile Duct Cancer, off to London!

1000 replies

WilsonMilson · 05/07/2023 22:51

Just starting a new thread.

OP posts:
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NooNooHead1981 · 08/07/2023 01:15

Oh Pamela, my heart broke seeing your photo and the sadness in your message. You are so incredibly brave, strong, beautiful and amazing, and I'm another who is always following your thread and wishing you every success and best wishes for your treatment.

Please don't let anyone bring in any negativity or stress into your health and situation, as you are doing your utmost to be as fighting fit as you can be. The last thing you need is external extra stress.

You are a genuine person to me, and so many others following your progress on here. We all have your back, hope for your future health and want nothing but the best for you and your beautiful family. I will think of you as I go to sleep in a few minutes, and send you all my love. 💖

Tophy124 · 08/07/2023 01:31

Sending you lots of love and I hope your procedure went as well as possible xxx

GingerScallop · 08/07/2023 02:09

WilsonMilson · 07/07/2023 12:29

This made my morning from Jacob. Yes, I tried to put on a bit of make up for surgery - can’t possibly let the side down altogether. Sorry for the luminous eyes, although they don’t look as bad in the pic as they do in real life.

Getting really nervous now. Feel sweaty and a bit lightheaded - have told them that though. I hope they give me all the morphine and painkillers I need.

Just praying it works. Think mum and Jacob will come on Monday. Mum’s mobility is not fantastic, so need to plan the logistics of her getting about London, but they can stay with my lovely friend so no worries there. The weekend might be a bit hairy for me and not sure they need to see all of it. FaceTime is a real blessing that way as you can hide the worst bits. If things go bad then of course we will accelerate.

You look gorgeous. You must be the most beautiful patient they've ever had. And happy (belatedish) birthday. Kerr hit the jackpot! 💝

landbeforegrime · 08/07/2023 02:21

I didn't want to read and not post anything. I am following this thread and sending love, hope and prayers. The strength and resilience you are all showing is beautiful and a real testament to what a strong and loving family you are.

xanthippe8 · 08/07/2023 03:06

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Iwantanapnow · 08/07/2023 06:30

Good morning Pamela and Kerr
Hope you both got some sleep and that today is a good day

Sunnymummy8 · 08/07/2023 06:48

Hope surgery went well.. still here thinking of you and wishing you well

YukoandHiro · 08/07/2023 06:50

Hope Pamela wakes up feeling a little better this morning. And glad she has you by her side Kerr.

dancemusicsexromance · 08/07/2023 06:59

❤️❤️ you are incredible xx

GayPareeee · 08/07/2023 07:07

I too have cancer and no one has batted an eyelid at wearing make up for surgeries and being on the day surgery unit many, many women have been wearing it.

Can't wear tampons though

TheRosesAreInBloom · 08/07/2023 08:09

Good morning Pamela and Kerr, hope you are both well and had a comfortable night, especially you of course Pamela.

thinking of you,
Sarah xx

SquirrelSoShiny · 08/07/2023 08:17

Good morning Pamela I hope you were able to sleep x

MrsMarzetti · 08/07/2023 08:23

Good morning Pamela & Kerr, stood on the beach looking towards the north Antrim coast, bit rough out there today but i am sure the prayers will still get through💛

watermeloncougar · 08/07/2023 08:27

I hope those drains are doing their job and that you'll be starting to feel more comfortable Pamela. I know this weekend will be a waiting game to see if you're ready for the stent on Monday, and I hope it passes as smoothly and calmly as possible.

sonicmum2002 · 08/07/2023 08:29

Sending you warmest wishes and hopes that all is going smoothly. Xxx

GayPareeee · 08/07/2023 08:31

Good morning too you both, hope you've both managed some sleep and that the surgery went well x

LesLavandes · 08/07/2023 08:32

I hope you are comfortable this morning, Pamela 🌺

WilsonMilson · 08/07/2023 08:32

Morning everyone. Well, I lived to tell the tale. Feeling absolutely wiped out beyond belief. It is all a bit hazy, and I’m still on morphine so who knows what I’m actually writing here - the sign i’m the wall keeps looking like it’s sliding down the wall, very weird and not sure I like it, does not take away all the pain either, frustratingly as I thought morphine basically took everything away. It’s oramorph, I don’t know if that makes a difference. I’ve had 17.5mg since 10pm last night, is that a lot? Also keep falling asleep and am semi drifting while writing this. Also haven’t eaten a thing since Wednesday dinner won’t be helping. All drugs and no food - would not recommend.

The op (finally) was done. The stress of waiting from 1.30pm to 6.30pm, with the inherent fear that it wouldn’t happen, was pretty shit. I’d have even pacing the floor if I physically could. But happen it finally did. I have zero clue what went away until I was wheeled back into Kerr about 9.45pm. I now have an ascetic drain for the fluid on my abdomen (they collected loads of that, like a couple of litres already and it’s still going strong), and the biliary duct drain. It’s not collecting so much which is kind of freaking me out and I’m a bit obsessed by it. They did a duct at the back, the only really viable one, so we will see if it’s at all affecting. I don’t know what we do if it isn’t and I’m still as yellow as ever today, keep looking at my eyes. Kerr is very reassuring that all will be ok and if can’t possibly all disappear so quickly, but I’m scared and hoped it would better almost immediately and it’s not. Truth be told I feel worse, but I’ve been through quite traumatic surgery and I’m knackered.

The bad news is this. My right lung (have mets there) has partially collapsed and has some fluid but low level. My sats have been low the day or so (92-93), but it was put down to me wearing gel polish and the machine not reading it well, and just me being me. During the op apparently my sats went super low (don’t know what) and there was a bit of a mad panic. So I had YET another CT scan after the op, about 10.30pm that was so painful, had to be transferred back and forth from bed to stretcher to CT machine and back, and that was so so bloody painful, I was basically shouting for morphine which is not me at all.
I’m now on those oxygen bud things up my nose which have brought sats up to 95-96, but I’m seriously worried that the new lung issues is yet another factor on which they rule out chemo. Prof B is coming to see us this morning and I don’t know if that’s a bad omen or I’m just suffering from ptsd about everything so far and I’m assuming the worst.

So, first operation complete. Feeling really crap so far, but early days. Oh, also had to use a bed pan (one of those egg carton type affairs) in the middle of the night as I’m hooked up to so many drains and infusions and weak as a kitten that I couldn’t even think about a mission to the loo. So that was incredibly undignified, these nurses truly do see it all, incredible people they are. Kind of need again not sure what to do.

OP posts:
NewIdeasToday · 08/07/2023 08:37

Sorry to hear that you are feeling so rough. But so pleased that you’ve had the operation. At least you have a fighting chance now hopefully, compared to when you were at home with no effective treatment.

Take care. We are all thinking of you and your family today.

SquirrelSoShiny · 08/07/2023 08:37

A huge hug Pamela and praying for comfort and good news for you x

LesLavandes · 08/07/2023 08:44

Oh Pamela. I am in awe of you. Well done for getting through yesterday. And now the drains are in. I hope your meeting with the Prof is positive.

Regarding your gel nails, you may be able to get them removed in the hospital by a visit from a nail clinician. There are loads of nail salons in the area. A well known one is 'Margaret Dabbs'. If this helps getting more accurate sats results, maybe you should ask the nurses. I hope you can eat a little today to give you some energy.

Don't be embarrassed about a bed pan. It's every day life for the nurses.

From Pamela Brighton

🌺☘️💐

SirWalterElliot · 08/07/2023 08:45

I just wanted to say that, whatever the outcome, I think you have shown incredible strength by travelling to London and undergoing the treatment you've had so far. Your love for your family (and theirs for you) shines through in all your posts. I am thinking of you all.

cheezncrackers · 08/07/2023 08:45

So glad to hear you got the op yesterday Pamela and have the drains in place. Realistically, you're going to feel crap this morning. You haven't eaten for two days, you've been through major surgery AND you're unwell, which isn't a great combination. As for Prof B's visit this morning, hopefully it will just be to talk you through how the surgery well last night and to see how you are this morning. It will take time for the jaundice to go. I remember when one of my DC had it after birth it took several days for him to stop being yellow - so please try not to worry that yours hasn't cleared up in a few short hours. I hope the news is better today. I hope you are able to eat something. I hope you start to feel a bit better too Flowers

Beach11 · 08/07/2023 08:46

So pleased you’ve had the op. You are stronger than you know. Keep going 💕, we are all praying for you

Willmafrockfit · 08/07/2023 08:52

its natural to feel rough after surgery
best wishes Flowers to you and yours

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