My husbands mum was seen by general surgery consultant last Monday after previously having had ultrasound and body scan
We were told there was a tumour on her pancreas and cluster showing on her liver - I understand that it is difficult to dianose in the early stages
Unfortunately as was spread to liver was inoperable and the way forward was to have a biopsy to the liver to confirm consultants diagnosis - we went home in a daze
Later in the afternoon - telephone call from nurse to arrange biopsy for next day - 9am
Arrived admissions ward 8.30am and allocated bed
At 1.30pm mum-in-law was transferred for procedure - I took father-in-law to find him some lunch
At 3.30pm we went to ward 7 no mum, try ward 37 again no mum, told to wait in the day room about 4.30pm ward clerical staff came looking for us mum had been asking for us - we went to Angiplasy unit where mum was very upset as the nurses had been trying to find us for 2 hours
At 5pm mum transferred to ward 37 as Angiplasy unit was closing
As mum was not too well she was eventually told she ad to stay overnight - I got my father-in-law home at 8.30pm after 11 hours at the hospital
We were all exhausted and mum really wanted to come home with us
Mum is in a daze, as we all are, and dad cant understand why there are no drugs to kill the cancer
We have been told today mum has an appointment with chemo consultant on Wednesday
I have looked at the blogs, and forums and been on chatrooms twice - but seems that pancreatic cancer is not discussed very much - does any one have any advice on what to expect re chemo etc
FormerMember
Hi Christine,
I know what you're going through, my mum decided not to have any treatment for her pancreatic cancer and like you said there doesn't seem to be much discussion on here about it. Her illness is terminal although we didn't ask how long she has as we didn't want to 'clock watch'. We try to enjoy each day as it comes. However, just like your mum-in-law, mum is extremely weak and not eating very much. she had a stent put inside her to release bile as the tumor was pressing on her bile duct and causing jaundice, weakness, loss of appetite and depression. Since then she has had a few bouts of high temperature, jaundice and loss of appetite which has been infection and this was treated successfully with anti biotics. Her last 'bout' of this was 6 weeks ago, anti biotics did not fully work so she went in as a day patient last week to have stent replaced. She is still very very weak, jaundice is subsiding but not much appetite. She has lost an awful lot of weight, but still has her sense of humour and never moans, she is (and always has been) a very warm, affectionate, strong, wonderful mum and I feel so useless that I can't stop this 'thing'. But I do know that I am there for her, this is the best I can do, just like you. Your mum in law is so lucky you are taking care of her (and she will know that) you really are doing the best you can by just being there for her and with her. thinking of you take care xx keep me posted and I will keep you posted too xx thinking of you
Thank you for your post - I will keep in touch along our journey
It was Mums birthday yesterday - we bake her a cake and we all visited in the afternoon - Mums younger brother had called in to see her with some beautiful white roses - i have never seen roses so big they are now opening into wonderful blooms
We had a tea and cakes all round and Mum seemed to really enjoy it even tho she was getting tired
When it was time for us to leave Mum wanted to give me here beautiful roses - that is just Mum she has always thought of others before herself - I told her they were hers and to enjoy them
Hope you and your Mum are ok and I will keep in touch
How lovely you all shared your mums birthday together, hope your mum managed some of the cake. The roses sound lovely, they are my mums favourite flower. Your mum sounds like mine in the fact that she thinks of others before herself. How lucky we are to have such lovely mums. I know so many that don't have that SPECIAL relationship. This keeps me going so very much, knowing that we are so close.
Mum is doing really really well at the moment. It is so hard to believe that only 6 weeks ago I thought the cancer would take her, she was going through such a bad time. Over the last 2 days her appetite has started to come back, and I am cooking all her favourite foods and she is keeping them down and enjoying them. I also took her to her own house today just to sit for a couple of hours in her garden with her cat, which she hasn't seen for 6 weeks and she has missed so much. It feels so great to see her well for a while.
Is your mum having any treatment Chris, does she have a stent like my mum? The tiredness can come all of a sudden, we have got into a routine now so that visitors don't stay too long and she doesn't go to bed too late either, as when she gets over tired she gets quite distressed. Where is your mum, is she at home or in the hospice? I am so glad you were all together with her for her birthday it sounds like you had a lovely time together.
So glad your mum is bit better she would love seeing her cat - mums cat went all moody on us whilst she was in hospital LOL
Mum only had the one weeks chemo - the doctors feel she is not well enough for any more - no she doesnt have a stent
We too tell visitors 'not too long' some are fine but others have to have a gentle hint and sometimes a larger hint if you know what i mean - im sure you do
Mum does get tired and now i tell her if shes tired go to lie down for a while which she now does - also early to bed most nights
Mum is at her home with fatherinlaw and i visit everyday with shopping meds etc and cream her legs for her - they are very dry she has just had cellulitis quite bad - we also have a homecare lady to help mum wash and dress each morning
Yes, mum loved seeing her cat, she got quite emotional when she went to her house for a couple of hours to spend time with Cleo (cat). I know what you mean about the visitors, some needing more than a gentle hint. We too have come to the agreement that whoever is visiting, once mum is tired she goes to bed, otherwise she quickly gets exausted. One sister wanted to visit and she has 'shingles' can you believe it!!!! I said I wouldn't open the door to her if she tried visiting, she got the message as she just rings now until she is well enough to visit, can you believe it !!! My mums legs have also become very dry so I too massage the cream in that the district nurse prescribed and its quite good, her arms got dry too so we use it there, but its not as bad. She does have swollen ankles so have started on tablets for that, which should bring them down. We could have had the homecare lady, but mum won't allow anyone to wash and dress her whilst she can do it, (which takes a while and makes her tired) but it is good to know they are there if I need them. managed to get mum out and about a few times now, in her wheelchair, as she is still unsteady on her feet. She didn't want anyone to see her in the chair at first but she has got used to it now as she knows its how we can get her about and outside in fresh air, which she loves. Been out today to the seaside waslked around got chips for tea, which always taste great outdoors. then had a drive back through countryside, mum so enjoyed it. Its great to see her picking up. Your doing a great job at your inlaws, hope you are taking care of yourself too.
