OT - Reaching Out to Fans.

So sorry to hear that. Wishing your mom a painless and speedy recovery. Don't know of any medications, though. Stay strong. Also, btw, you're one of the nicest people on this board. :D

"We all go a little mad sometimes..." - Norman Bates

I'm so sorry to hear that, and unfortunately I don't have any medical advice... maybe just see what her doctors have to say first? It could always be a mis-diagnosis. Fingers crossed for you, dear.

Honestly cancer is my worst fear in life. The pancreatic variety especially, since it's nearly undetectable until it's too late, and almost always incurable regardless. I'm always asking my doctor about my pancreas and he just thinks I'm paranoid but I've seen/heard too many sad stories about it. So, deep sympathies for you and your dad too. 

Best to wait for her oncologist to advise, honey. How old is your darling mum?

Thinking of you both

Thanks NBates, what a lovely thing to say!

Thanks to everyone here also. I don't mind people suggesting it could be worse, it's the not knowing that is so difficult - not knowing what we are dealing with but I hope if it's worse case scenario she'll have the right drugs/treatment available.

You're all very kind. I spend a lot of spare time online as well as going out for a lot of drives to the coast with my partner so it made sense to open up on here as we are not deeply social people, we are quiet living and prefer the peaceful life! We have hobbies offline too but mostly indoorsie stuff (I like decorating and DIY!). It has helped enormously to speak openly via these means so thank you all for your support and kind understanding 

"These days you have to boil someone before you can sleep with them"

Thanks DayX

You are right, sadly, about pancreatic cancer. It is nigh-on impossible to detect and by the time symptoms present it is often in the later stages as with my Dad (he passed just eight weeks after diagnosis but he already had jaundice by that point).

I don't think the NHS do screening so I am going to be referred privately to Bupa. You can't put a price on early detection and I aim to get a scan as often as I can (yearly if I can both justify and afford it). I believe a scan is just under £400 and I spend more than that on wine per year just to put it into perspective). They say to avoid red and processed meats to ensure better pancreatic health and it terrifies me because my father died a horrendous death 

I would not accuse you of being paranoid - you are being pre-emptive and sensible. If really worried, maybe you caould go private as I intend to. Best of luck if you get referred!

"These days you have to boil someone before you can sleep with them"

I didn't know screening/scans were an option. I was worried because last summer my bilirubin levels kept coming back a bit elevated. It would give me much peace of mind if I could have access to those scans... even bi-annually or so. I'll have to look into it, thanks for the heads up.

And best best of luck, please keep us all posted.

You're welcome. I am sure I was told back in 2008 that the children of the pancreatic patient were entitled to scans but maybe the budget just no longer supports this. We definitely need more screening but I have to say I have never been very happy about the way NHS funding is adninistered. Essentially it was established to treat the sick and the dying but is used for all manner of non-essential provedures such as IVF. We need to focus on the sick not spend it creating more lives when we can't afford to care for existing patients! It's the same when women go to foreign countries for cosmetic procedures then return to the UK to develop an infection - they need to realise that if they take silly risks that the NHS can't keep bailing them out!!

And thanks, I'll definitely let you know what the X-ray reveals!

"These days you have to boil someone before you can sleep with them"

Hi Dani,

She's getting on but the sad thing is she's not a drinker and has never smoked. She has a sensible diet after suffering a mini-stroke some years ago.

She's 76 but a very young 76! She still has a sister who is older - in her 80's who had a colostomy in her 40's. Her other sister passed from cancer aged 46. Her mother passed from breast cancer when I was just two and her father died just after WWII of cancer whilst in the Navy. It seems a case of not "if" but "when" because it's claimed a lot on Dad's side also xx

"These days you have to boil someone before you can sleep with them"