New to the forum..and confused

emjaz · New User Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 3

Hi there, I've been reading through some of the posts here over the last few days...and firstly I'd like to say that you are all amazingly STRONG people...and i've never seen support quite like what is displayed here.which is why I feel comfortable posting...
My dad has been very sick for a few months now.he's had numerous tests and finally they have discovered a 16cm long.11cmx10cm wide mass.the report states that it lies in close association with the pancreas but does not appear to arise from the pancreas persay...so the conclusion was that the mass is POSSIBLY seperate to the pancreas and that the most likely diagnosis would be lymphoma.
He has an appointment with an oncologist in 3 days time and the idea of waiting 3 more days for some clarification seems like a lifetime...so i was wondering if anyone here has been in a similar situation, or could give me ANY info at all...Its a really scary time and I feel helpless....NOT KNOWING the details makes it a million times worse.We just want to know what to expect..Thanks for reading

Big Sister · Experienced user Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Posts: 65

Hello and Welcome,

I agree that the members of this forum are incredibly strong as well as being excellent communicators, despite their worries. Thanks for your words.

I understand the concern for your father. Here's what happened to my brother: the doctors first saw "a mass, a shadow" near the pancreas and liver. They suspected cancer but until more scans were done and then a biopsy, they really couldn't poinpoint the problem. While the testing was going on, we all had hope. That was the bottom line for him and the family...hope.

If you log onto my other posts ("Big Sister"), from the beginning of October forward, you can read the whole story for yourself. It doesn't end well and the ending came far too fast, but very typical for this deadly disease. Other stories are similar -- some go on for longer, others are more intense. Use the readings to see what your dad is up against.

My point in writing is to tell you not to lose hope until all testing is done. And even afterwards, when and if the diagnosis is not good, keep hope alive because there are people on this forum who will detail the progress of their own disease (which means they are still with us) and people whose loved ones have also remained on this earth despite ominous predictions.

I wish the best for you and your family.

Big Sister

emjaz · New User Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 3

Thanks so much for your reply, big sister.Even your name gives me comfort Smile

I'm desperate to get as much info as possible so I can pass it on to my dad.He is a realist, maybe even a pessimist, but he wants to know...we alll need to know.
the doctor(only a gp) seemed to think the news was good that the mass is encasing the pancreas rather than growing inside of it, but its the size that scares me.I'm also angry that this was not picked up earlier.He has been sick for months, has recently had a stent put in his heart, and had a colonoscopy, as well as going to the doctor weekly to get more pain meds.he was diagnosed with diabetes 18mths ago....Why didnt they dio the ct scan earlier?
He has been in and out of hospital most of his adult life and has had everything from angina, to epilepsy,melenoma(which was removed along with lymph glands)...I thought he was invincible that nothing could be more aggressive than my dad himself...but this thing has taken over him and i've spent the last month or so trying to convince my sister and mum that he's not attention seeking..he is a very sick man.they were concerned that he was getting addicted to the pain meds...But he's only on panadeine forte, which explains why he has been taking so many...he needs stronger meds, but as yet the doctor has not offered any.
I'm concerned too, from what i've read here, since he has almost constant hiccups, and is drenched with sweat from fever.
My dad lives in the country and I moved here several months ago.I was ready to move back to sydney bfore this happened, but i'm so glad that I didnt and that i can be here for him..he's a keen gardener and his vegies are his passion..but he doesnt have the energy to tend to them anymore, so I'm helping out, which at least makes me feel like I'm doing something.
Anyway, If i dont stop now, it will turn into a novel.Thanks again, and I really do appreciate the replies

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