Pancreatic cancer diagnosis

My dad who's is 51 was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer yesterday after receiving result from a CT scan and finding suspected cancer in his liver on an ultrasound. He is booked in for a biopsy Friday. Whole family is distraught. My dad is also gutted that he can’t be cured but only managed. He looks so well and complains about pain in his shoulder which the consultant put down to the mass sitting on a nerve. Consultant is confident my dad is strong enough for chemo. I’m sorry to those who are diagnosed with the same disease. Are there any positive outcomes with this disease?

  • Hi Amyh92,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. I'm sorry to read about your dad, I can imagine this is incredibly tough for you all and I hope you're getting on OK.

    It's good that the consultant feels your dad is strong enough for treatment and hopefully the management of it will be effective.

    Unfortunately I can't offer any advice in terms of your question, but if anyone here has similar experience then hopefully they'll be along soon.

    Do make sure you discuss things with your dad's consultant so you can find out all you need to about what to expect. And we're always here for you on this forum if you'd like any support or just to write down your thoughts or concerns at any point.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi Amy,

    So sorry to hear about your Dad. I know what you and your family are going through. We found out in June that my Mum who is 53 has Advanced pancreatic cancer which had already spread to her liver.

    We were told that she had 6-12 months with chemo and 6 months without any. She has been having chemo, but not very reguarly as she has been in and out of hospital with infections. She has lost alot of weight, over 6 stone and is very weak. She is constantly sick and struggles to stay awake.

    We had some results back from a scan early December which showed the tumour in the pancres had not grown but the tumour in the liver had, we felt hopeful of more time but since then she has been back in hospital with another infection. Unfortunatley, the tumour in the liver has grown again. The talks now are around stopping the chemo as it isnt working and has such a bad effect on her, its about quality of life now.

    I am sorry I cant offer any hope, however when I first found out I did read alot of case studies of people who had been diagnosed on both this website and some others (Marie Curie, Macmillan etc) and there were many stories of people older than our parents who did survive for a couple of years.

    If your Dad reacts well to the treatment he too may have more time. After he has had the biopsy and before the treatment starts he will probably see a consultant and they are the best person to give information around what will happen next and life expectancy (If you want to find out).

    I appreciate you are very early on in your journey, but if your Dad or you or your family feel like you need more support then reach out to Macmillan or Marie Curie, they have been a good support to my family.

    Wishing your Dad the best.

     

  • Hi Ben, 

    Thank you for your reply and support.

  • Hi Shanise, 

    Thank you for your reply. Im devasted for you, your family and your mother. Im sending as much strength as I can to you all through it.

    Im almost 6 months pregnant and my partner has booked a surprise 4d scan for Saturday after Christmas and we are inviting my dad and his fiance too. We are all looking forward to it. 

    Im still in shock I think, I cry each morning then I have waves of being normal and forgetting until it pops back into my head. 

  • I get the shock thing, I still feel like that 6 months on, sometimes it still feels like a dream and other times it hurts so bad I feel like I am suffocating.

    Hope your scan goes well, its nice for you all to have something else to focus on and look forward to.

    Stay strong and I hope your Christmas is as good as it can be.

    Shanise

  • Hi Shanise,

    I hope you and your family are coping through the tough times.

    How is your mother?

    My dad went to heaven yesterday morning. 

    Sending love your way. Amy x

  • Hi Amy,

    So sorry to hear about your Dad, that was so quick. 

    My Mum passed away on 23rd January.

    X

  • I'm deeply sorry for your loss Shanise xx

    I hope you and your family are coping well.

    Lots of love Amy xxx