So we found out a few weeks ago that my dad has stage IV pc in head of the pancreas and surrounding blood vessels. He has been told they can’t operate. Not what we were hoping for. He has had a stent put in his bile duct to help the jaundice which has now gone! To complicate things further his blood sugars are sky high (he has had type 2 diabetes for a long time) and has finally started on insulin something he has wanted to avoid but was so pleased he could start it! (We have always said he doesn’t fit the profile of type 2 super fit and slim.) He has had such a dry mouth for so long and no appetite and has literally been force feeding himself. It’s so sad to see he has lost so much weight. He has been told they can’t do a PET scan due to his blood sugars and he is not strong enough to start chemo. So we have no idea if it has spread anywhere else. He is on a cocktail of medicine and there has been so much information it is hard to take it all in. He still has some hope that if he can put on weight he can have a scan and start chemo. We keep working towards this. How long this will take we don’t know. What he is eating does not seem to be putting on weight despite being on supplements and taking in lots of calories. He is realistic and knows it is not going away but hanging on to the hope this will prolong his life?! He is not ready to give up although he does have down days when reality kicks in. He said he keeps thinking it’s a dream more a nightmare but this broke my heart and I just wanted to take it away and give him some hope but even I struggling to find any. I just hug him and say one day at a time and I’m here. What more can I do? I’m frustrated as his diabetes seems to be the focus now and everyone seems to have forgotten about the cancer it doesn’t help that the two teams are different trusts and don’t seem to talk to each other. Don’t get me wrong the professionals all the different nurses - district, diabetic and Macmillan have been lovely but no one can give him any answers. Maybe it’s a blessing not knowing?! He has never spoken to or met an oncology consultant.
I know a little bit of information can be dangerous especially Dr Google but I know a bit about non oral feeding from my job. I wondered if anyone has any experience of having non oral feeding eg NG or a PEJ? Surely if he is not getting enough orally (and is basically starving his little body) can’t they supplement it? I know this isn’t without its own risks but I work with people with long term conditions okay maybe not life limiting conditions who have a PEJ and it keeps them alive.
we are all very lucky as we have a big support network lots of friends and family to help and my work have been great. My mum is still coming to terms with it taking on her new role as nurse, carer, masseuse! She is so strong but the cracks are starting to show and I just think she is exhausted. I help when I can and see them every other day. I’m lucky to be so close to them.
Sorry long rant. Brain is just overthinking hence why the 4am message. Any words of advice would be great fully received. Thanks I’m advance
