Hello everyone,
I'm a 48 year old single mum to 2 fabulous school age children. I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July 2022 after 7 months or so of feeling ill, with acid reflux, back pain, vomiting, an awful lot of intense digestive pain and an overwhelming feeling that things were terribly wrong. I had started last year with COVID and was fobbed off by my gp for months. I finally saw a different GP who listened to me, sent me for all kinds of tests and scans and that's when I was told that I had a 13cm x 8cm tumour where my pancreas should be.
I was then left without any treatment, only painkillers which weren't covering my pain, for 2 months and my tumour grew to 16cm! I was told it was inoperable and advised to have chemo in hope of shrinking the tumour with the aim of possible future surgery.
My chemo started in late September and I had 6 rounds. Scans at Christmas showed it had shrunk from 16cm to 13cm and was still inoperable.
Have just finished another 6 rounds of chemo. CT scan this time showed 'significant shrinkage' of tumour. Oncologist didn't have measurements with her, so couldn't tell me in cms, will try to find out this week. MRI scan showed liver clear. I am now waiting to be called in for PET scan so surgeons can have a look to see if it is now operable. They removed my PICC line, so guessing they think I won't need chemo again for a while?!
I've focused on trying to stay as positive as possible, taking one day at a time, telling my friends and family if I'm having a tough day, either with pain or mentally/emotionally so that they can cheer me up with something, even if it's just a silly cat video to make me chuckle.
I've also looked at every alternative treatment there is, and taken on those which resonate with me. This really helps me, as I feel like I am taking control of parts of my treatment, being active, rather than just a passive recipient of whatever treatment the NHS decides I qualify for.
Anyway, thanks for reading (if you got this far!). Wishing you all the very best on your journeys with this awful disease. Keep strong xx
Hi Lancs Twin,
Thanks for your response. My hair started to thin in places, so I took control and got the clippers to work! It's grown back well and doesn't look too patchy. Chemo is a hard slog. Remember to take everything one day at a time! I struggle a lot with fatigue and low energy levels, so exercise is very gentle stuff for me - pottering around the garden or a very slow, short walk to the post box.
Kids are coping remarkably well, I've told them everything every step of the way and they e seen how sick I've been for the last year, so couldn't really hide anything from them.
Had my PET scan on Friday so now waiting to hear from surgeons, it seems to be a constant waiting game, which is very frustrating when you are as impatient as I am!
It always helps to hear positive cancer journeys. I had to start taking earphones to my chemo sessions as I found that some other patients seemed to enjoy loudly telling their/other people's doom and glom cancer stories (which I definitely didn't want to hear, hence the earphones!)
Definitely try to keep as positive as you can, I really believe it makes a difference. Very early on after my diagnosis I read a medical study on pancreatic cancer patients which mentioned that almost all of the participants who had lost loads of weight and got very depressed had died. As soon as I read that I started to fight against losing weight (I had lost about 3 stone at that point) and have now thankfully, stabilized. I also vowed not to become depressed and work really hard to keep my mental health steady and as positive and upbeat as I can manage.
Keep strong 
Hi Craven,
Thanks for your response. I hope your hubby gets a Chemo start date soon, it's hard having to wait for appointments. Chemo can be tough, make sure you both take it one day at a time. It helps me incredibly to remember when I'm having a bad pain day or sick day to remember that it's only temporary, tomorrow could be so much better.
Keep strong
Well cycle 2 starts tomorrow but must admit cycle 1 didn’t go as well as I expected. Struggled with side effects and actually only had one good day - just a shame it’s day before it all starts again! Spoke to the dietician and she is recommending change of anti sickness meds and possibly dropping the dose of chemo drugs to see if I can get more good days as there should be before each cycle starts. Keeping positive. I went to a well being/group at the local hospice this morning and must admit it was nice to talk to others going thru chemo etc. Apparently Reiki therapy helped quite a few of the ladies and even tho they were sceptic they all agreed it did help them. Definitely will go back and perhaps have a try at the different therapies on offer. Think it’s 6 sessions free of therapy but tgroup chats etc are ongoing. Helped me stay positive today so worth attending. PS hair doing ok at min but it’s early days! Perhaps I spoke too soon! 
. But just going day and hoping for the best. I have lost more weight but hoping to put some back on when I am on the steroids as I ate loads in first few days after chemo. X
