Pancreatic Cancer during Covid

Offline Grievingalready over 5 years ago

My dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June during Covid. We were told of his diagnosis sitting in the reception area of the hospital with strangers looking at us.

Doctors originally told us he had 50% of making it to Christmas but we have been told recently that he won't make it to Halloween. He's lost so much weight and it's been so traumatic seeing him deteriorate so much.

He doesn't seem to have come to terms with the fact he doesn't have long left and acts like he still has years! It is heartbreaking.

He has said he wants to stay home so we've been caring for him at home and hope to be able to do so until he leaves us as we've heard there's limits on visitors in hospices and myself and my three siblings want to be with him at the end.

I would really like if anyone has any similar situations and what the prognosis was that was given and how long they lasted.
xxx

Moderator Steph over 5 years ago

Welcome to the forum Grievingalready although I'm very sorry to read the news about your dad.
This must be very difficult but I'm glad to see you've found support on other discussions from some of our members who are in a similar position.
I hope this is helping but if at any point you would like to speak to one of our cancer nurses about your dad's situation then do be sure to give them a call on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m.
We're all thinking of you and sending your family our very best wishes at this time.
Kind regards,
Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator
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Offline anxiouskab over 5 years ago

Hey,

First of all I'm so sorry to hear about your dad's illness and praying for the best. Pancreatic cancer is the most horrible disease.

My dad was ill for a while but was diagnosed with stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer a lot later on as doctors first thought it was just IBS. He was diagnosed in late October/early November 2018, due to his condition and how much the cancer had spread he never had any treatment and passed away on the 26th December 2018, roughly around 7 weeks after he was diagnosed. We thought he would have around 3 more months, but his health unfortunantely detiorated quite quickly and his cancer was caught at quite a late stage. It was heartbreaking. My dad was also very in denial about the whole thing and didn't quite comprehend how ill he really was.

This response was probably not one you hoped for and every situation is different especially depending on the stage and spread of the cancer. Unfortuantely the prognosis for pancreatic cancer is sadly bleak :sad:

Sending you and your family the best of wishes x
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Offline ksg over 5 years ago

Hello
I am very sorry to hear you and your family are going through this awful time .
My family have just experienced a similar situation with my husband .
He was diagnosed end of March after suffering what the doctor thought was IBS problems .
A CT scan revealed our worst fear of Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The prognosis was 3 months without treatment .
Luckily chemotherapy was available despite
Covid 19 . Unfortunately the cancer made him so ill ,like your father he lost weight rapidly due to sickness
and was hospitalised with ascites and infection complications .
The consultants didn't give up trying to help but the chemotherapy was eventually cancelled in July .
It may be your Dad is aware of how long he has but is trying to fight it for you and himself by shutting out the reality .
Every time my husband came out of hospital stabilised he would say I've got to eat and put on weight still managing the pain ,avoiding morphine on a driver until the very end .
Again like your situation , my husband wIshed to stay at home with myself and our teenage daughter.
We managed as long as we could with the chaos of symptoms ,medicines ,calling out doctors etc and the trauma of seeing him deteriorate until it was unsafe . We were lucky to be offered a place at a hospice and although it was painful to see him go I was so relieved when I could see the minute he arrived at the hospice he was looked after like a king in a beautiful calm room .
They treated his symptoms, listened to him and made him comfortable .
Nothing was too much trouble for all staff and they also looked after us as a family .
We were restricted to going one at a time due to Covid but when my daughter visited on her own everyone chatted to her and made her feel at ease .
I was able to stay overnight when we thought it was near the end and my daughter and I were both allowed to be with him together to say goodbye .
Through all of the trauma of fighting the disease in just over 4 months the final 2 weeks in the hospice was the best thing.
My advice is if you are offered a place at a hospice to take it if your Dad is willing.
We thought we could cope at home ,now I am so relieved that we were spared the trauma of being at home at the end and he was comfortable and safe and we could still be with him when he passed in mid August .
Be strong and look after yourselves .
Thinking of you.
ksg
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