Newly diagnosed

Hello Alboater 

i am Brian one of the Community Champions here at Macmillan. I have just noticed your post has gone unanswered. I can't answer it myself as I have a different cancer, however by me replying it will be "bumped up" to the top of the page and I hope seen and replied to by other members of the Pancreatic group.

On the Community we do have another group you may wish to join in view of your future treatment and here's the link you need:

Chemotherapy forum 

I hope this helps and I wish you well with the Chemotherapy.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hello, 

I’ve got one 2.6 by 2.2 and stuff on my gallbladder and liver and one lymph node, I’m very early doors, I’m going to have to have a whipple (if they can operate) I just wanted to say hello

Hi squodgling, hopefully they can operate for you, i wish that was option in my case, it is difficult to come to terms with and accept at such early age. Hope you get good news soon, chin up

Hello Alboater 

Alboater said:

it is difficult to come to terms with and accept at such early age.

Please do remember the Support Line is open daily on 0808 808 00 00 from 8am to 8pm and they will be able to offer you some help and support.

Best wishes - Brian.

50 is young, I am 56 and still felt young

Lets be honest, Im devastated, I swing betwn trying to process it & just trying to pretend it’s not even happening (even though I go to all of my apps etc)

its a weird state of affairs where you are hoping you can be whippled, Ive just finished staging & am waiting now for a decision 

Yes 50 and 56 doesn't seem old, i'm quite an active person and at the minute still trying to do most of the things i was doing before, i get to see the oncologist on the 5th june so hopefully know more then, but i am pretty much just to pretend it's not happening and the pain is just from over exertion.

Hi

I’m 51 and newly diagnosed. I’ve been on a rollercoaster since January when I was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis. Started taking Creon and all was going well till April when things went downhill - nausea, fatigue, vomiting. Eventually had a gastric bypass due to blockage in duodenum. Was recovering well in hospital. Then came the devastating news that one of the biopsies they took during op was positive. Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.Nothing had shown up in two CT scabs!

im devastated. I feel so young! I’m s super healthy active person and we are all just in shock. I have two teenagers. We’ve told them about the cancer and upcoming chemo. But how do I tell them the outlook for this csncer is so bleak??

im about to start probably 6 months of Folforinox (2 week cycles)

I really feel for you and the other young 56 year old on this thread.. Hope we can help each other through.

all the love and strength

Hi Aisha, i really feel for you, the news is totally devastating, our son is 23 and trying to get his business up and running he has read all the literature out there and knows what the outcomes look like, but he maintains his Dad is stronger willed than most and will beat the disease, they can be more understanding than we think and certainly stronger to cope than we think, i wish you all the luck and good news possible. Take care

Thanks for your reply.

yes I guess you are right they can be stronger than we think. My 16 year old is also very positive and says he has faith in modern medicine!. I am a very positive person! But you can’t hide from the general statistics. I just want to be prepared.

the positives are thet I am near a great hospital. And I am relatively young. And I was strong and healthy until this. I never even got as much as a cold!

we will see. Have you started chemo? Is it Folforinox?

im new to this forum and my phone is a bit rubbish! Not quite sure how to reply to the other member who is in our situation at the same time sorry!

• Hello Alisha, Squodgeling and Alboater

I am 55 years old and live in Swindon, Wiltshire.  I was a secondary school teacher, which is a job I truly loved.

At Christmas I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Inoperable pancreatic cancer.  My husband and I made a decision to not tell our family until after Christmas and when we knew which course of treatment I would be given.

In January I started Foliforax I have 3 treatments to go.  I was due session 10 on Friday but it was cancelled as my platelets were extremely low and also after all my lymph nodes being clear from my scan after session 8 activity was found.

Yesterday, I crumbled as well as my family as I have tried so hard to be strong.

I won't upset you all with my next chapter , but what I can tell you all I thought I was far too young at 54, little did I know!

All I suggest to you is be strong and however hard you find the Foliforax go with it.  If I could have completed the 12 I would of done, sadly my body does not want to play ball.

Some days I've cried all day, some days I pretended I wasn't ill and went out as normal (!albeit in my glamorous wig)!  Be prepared for emotions to go all over the place!

I am happy to chat or offer support like l was privileged to have by a very brave special lady from here who continues to be strong and resilient.  I am forever grateful for help given to me at those dark moments.

Take care and stay strong.  We have more courage and bravery than you realise.

Lisa