Hi, I joined a few months ago and chatted with folk about suspected cancer of the pancreas, my best, dearest friend was undergoing tests and scans. It's been a roller coaster. Firstly they decided to insert a stent, which drained the jaundice successfully. Then they decided she was eligible for the whipple then chemo, it wasn't a death sentence, we had hope. The morning of her whipple came and they saw that the cancer was far more advanced than scans showed. They removed her gall bladder but didn't do the whipple. Then we were told that chemo was possible and could give us precious time, a year or two. Last Thursday she had another scan and consultation with him. It was terrible news, the cancer is spreading. Chemo now would give her an extra month, or 6 weeks - and the final prognosis anyhow is 6 to 12 months. That's it, final, zilch. She has started pain relief tramadol, morphine, but she is getting new pains in different places, almost daily. Last night she confided in me that she believes the 6 months is too hopeful, she believes its getting worse at the rate of knots. 2 months, 4 months, pray God for 6 to 12 but only God knows. I go from numb, to terror, to simple denial. 33 years ago I lost my mother in similar circumstances - 3 months from diagnosis to losing her. It's happening again. How on earth can this be? Anyone have any advice? Xxx
Hi Carj60
Sorry to hear about your friend and indeed our mum. IF we look at Your feelings when someone has cancer we can see how common those emotions are. I am glad your friend feels comfortable sharing her worries with you but I am especially glad you came here to share. One thing perhaps more than any I learnt was the truth behind the saying of a trouble shared is a trouble halved.
Watching someone we love get sicker and sicker is never going to be easy, somehow though we manage and know that we were the best friend possible.
<<hugs>>
Steve
