Pancreatic Cancer...the Silent Killer!

missumom · Experienced user Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 65

I sit here desperately trying to understand what happened to my mom Sad

...She went from having indigestion/backache to being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and within a little less than a month, she was gone! I'm not much of an analyzer, but I just can't seem to accept how this cancer took her. I didn't even have time to fully grasp that my mom had been diagnosed with the 'C' word and then to have her die shortly after, I'm left so confused and angry.

I'm not in the medical field, but from reading the posts in this forum, there seems to be some similarities in these pancreatic cancer patients. Most of them, if not all, have (had) diabetes. I think that if you're diabetic, you should be ordered for a CT scan yearly as a precaution to detect for pancreatic cancer. Perhaps by doing this, it can be detected at an early stage and, therefore, the patient would have a greater chance of survival. It seems that early detection is the only means of survival in this type of cancer. Patients who are (were) diagnosed at Stage 4 have already had metastization on other organs (liver, gallbladder, intestines, etc.). Even with operations and chemos, these people have no fighting chance against this cruel disease. It sickens me!!!

I really think more research has to be done on this type of cancer. Am I the only one who feel this way??? I know my mom is gone and I can't get her back, but lets save those who are likely future candidates for getting pancreatic cancer. Please...... Crying or Very sad

gibsonmol

I would just like to say sorry for your sad loss, my mother inlaw was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer which has spread to her liver. Docters said she had she had a irritable bowel, however after around 6 months of repeat visits she was orderd for a ct scan. afterwich she was told it was too late their was nothing more they could do.

she was then told to go home and wait for the inevitable, it wasnt until she spoke to another docter that she was told there was the options of chemotherepy. she has endured 2 lots of different chemos both of which have faild to shrink or halt the growth of her tumers. She is now awaiting a trial, "who knows" we all say however, i cannot help but think there is no hope left for her appart from slowley growing weaker and becoming relient upon drugs to get her through the day.

I dont know how long she has left she refuses to accept results from ct scans and has never been told or asked for a time on her life, she has been like this for over a year now and she was at the advanced stages when first diagnosed. any feedback would be grately appreciated from any one in a similar position to me as her prime carer i need advise as to how bad its going to get.

best wishes to all
_________________
kara gibson XX

missumom · Experienced user Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 65

I'm sorry also that your mother-in-law has pancreatic cancer. You mentioned that it has metasticized in the liver. Is she jaundice? My mom didn't show yellowing until the second day she was admitted to the hospital.

I don't think doctors should be suggesting chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer patients at Stage IV, with metastization in other organs, especially the liver. Maybe if the cancer hasn't spread outside the pancreas, then chemotherapy would be some hope, and perhaps surgeries can help the situation. When the oncologist told my mom that it was inoperable and that chemotherapy was her last hope, of course, my mom opted for it. She wanted desperately to live Crying or Very sad

In my opinion, the chemo just quickened her death. It took away the quality of what little life she had left with us. The chemo brought on so much pain for her to endure, to the point where the breakthroughs of morphine didn't help. The nurse would give her sleeping pills so that she can just sleep the pain through.

Doctors have a hard time foretelling the lifespan of pancreatic cancers. My mom's oncologist told her, she can live for a week, two weeks, one month, 3 months to a year. No one knows, I guess. Ask her doctor and see what he says. Never give up hope though. I know I sound very negative, but don't give up on her. If she's willing to fight this all the way, then back her up 100%. You never know, there could be a miracle coming your way.

Take care...

Lana · New User Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Posts: 1

Hello,
My name is Alana, Im 17 years old and i lost my uncle 6 weeks ago to pancreatic cancer.
I'm very sorry to hear of your loss.
I know what your going through with the feeling of anger, i had alot of it after my uncle passed away, it was just a week before my birthday and he had said to my mum & dad that he wanted to hang around for it, he even told my auntie (his sister) to get me a pink watch and earrings because he knew i loved the colour pink.
He was diagnosed around 18 months ago but i was only 15 and didnt really realise how aggressive it was until he got jaundice and couldnt move around much, but it didnt stop him from going to his daughters 18th birthday just 3 weeks before he passed away.
I would just like to say that even though its too late for us that one day there will be a cure, i know it.
Also a way i found to deal with it is by giving blood.
Best Regards.
Alana x

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