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metastasised pancratic cancer

annette
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my lovely husband aged 62 was diagnosed 31/1/2022 with pancreatic cancer that had spread to his lung and liver.what a shock omg,his symptoms had started just after christmas with pain under his ribs and round into his back,also he had dark pee and clay sticky stools.he was given a stent as he had become very jaundiced,this improved it quickly,he started on creon a pancreatic enzyme which helped to digest anything he ate.2 weeks later we got married,he was deteriorating quite quickly.that weekend he was blue lighted to hospital with suspected sepsis,they rushed a ct scan and unfortunately they found abcesses in his liver and the cancer had spread to his peretinium.steve had iv antibiotics for 5 days but wanted to come home so they gave him oral antibiots so he could have his wish.For 2 weeks i managed his abcesses with oral antibiotis,he got thrush in his mouth and whatever he tried to eat tasted awful and metalic.The weight was dropping off him.steve was by now vomitting daily as if there was a blockage.He satrted with a temp again so he had bloods on the thursday,we got the results that evening and his liver function was over 2000 and doctor wanted him back in hospital for more iv.unfrtunately he is still in hospital now and on the covid ward as he tested positive so i am unabe to visit him.he wats to come home but a ct scan last wednesday reviel the abcesses have stayed the same.He is eating again,very little but something,hes jaundiced with a biliruben of 62 and ive noticed the last couole of days his memory isnt as sharp and hes croaky and has a cough.we have agrred with the consutant for him to have a pic line put in so he can continue iv antibiotics at home.does anyone know how long he can stay on these.the palative nurses are ready to assist me when hes home.Steve was given 3-6 months at diagnosis but he feels like he hasnt got long.has anyone any advice or any idea how long he may have when he comes home.hes still able to go to the loo but his walking is more of a shuffle now bless him.This is such a cruel cruel fast cancer im still in total shock that my fit and healthy beautifu kind husband wont be with me for very long.love and hope to everyone on this awful journey xx

 

  • Hello annette and welcome to Cancer Chat,

    I'm very sorry to hear about your husband. It's difficult to answer your question, but his medical team may able to give you a better idea. There is some advice on reducing symptoms here and information on how to look after yourself here.

    If you'd like to speak to someone, we have a team of cancer nurses available on the freephone 0808 800 4040. Lines are open from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

    Best wishes to you,

    Moderator Anastasia

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    Hi Annette , I also have a partner 57 with pancreatic mets , recent jaundice , they thing ca now in bile duct , he had massive surgery for ca but it came back . His liver function off , bilirubin high and finished oral antibiotics , has refused more , now needs some palliative chemo but depends if liver function comes back to normal . I'm a nurse ( so wish I wasn't and had zero knowledge ) . I'm not sure how long they can give Iv antibiotics but they will monitor his bloods . It's a cruel disease , and hard on the patient and carer , I struggle to cope sometimes , one day at a time is the only thing I go by xx Hope his symptoms get relieved and he gets some quality of life and strength back xx keep going xxx 

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    Hi Annette

    You sound so stressed, your post wanted to ensure nothing was left out. Going by a lot you said, results, appetite, fatigue etc he might be better of at home surrounded by his love ones. I lost my husband and soulmate in January. He fought so hard to stay but cancer has its own ideas. I brought him home 16dsys before he passed. I'm so glad we had that time together. 

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    Hello Annette

    im sorry that you and your husband are on this journey. 
    I am caring for my ex husband. He is still my best friend. He was diagnosed in nov. 21. Pancreatic cancer. Jaundice. Stent. Gall bladder ruptured. Infection. Drain. Transfusion. Covid on Xmas eve. In isolation. Left hospital after 2 months with drain (for muck from infection) and pic. District nurses administered iv antibiotics. Insulin. I think had these for 6 weeks. Until not needed. No time limit. For him. Also given 3-6 months. In December. 
    pain management has been difficult. I think he suffers too much. Mobility poor. So much weight loss. 
    that's a quick summary of how the illness is affecting him. He was hoping for palliative chemotherapy. At an appointment today we were told it's not an option. I didn't want him to have that, but his choice. And sad for him. 
    i guess. I find it very hard. Lost. 
    Steroids have improved his quality of life. Diabetes from cancer has damaged his eyesight. Trying to make the most of anything that gives him any joy. Sometimes it seems as if nothing does. Or the cancer is so big there's nothing untouched by it. 
    There are better days. Even when it seems like there are not. I'm scared because I wonder how much further I can go down this road. Tbh. 
    take care x and everyone else. 
     

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