My father passed nearly 1 month ago, on October 1st. He had just turned 62. As I said in the title he just lasted 5 weeks from his diagnosis at the end of August. Me and my family are still in a state of disbelief at the whole situation.
Dad's oncologist was shocked because Dad had lost no weight and did not come across as someone with stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. He just had minor abdominal pains.
When he was diagnosed, the cancer had metastised to his liver and lungs.
Myself my mother and two sisters, I'm the only son,were obviously in deep shock at the prognosis. We expected a simple infection that would be treated by antibiotics.
It was made worse initially by the fact that there's was no hope treatment wise. No chemo or radiotherapy was offered.
Dad went jaundiced very quickly, after they did 3 biopsies on the three tumours in his liver. He found the pain of the procedure excruciating. I questioned myself why they had to do 3 biopsies, surely one would have been enough. The profit motive might be involved when when we saw the pathology bill that Dad's private health insurance had to pay.
Anyway Dad was very brave and had 4 relatively good weeks, where he was able to go visit friends and they visited him. And the pain meds kept the pain under control.
He passed on October 1st and he still hadn't lost a lot of weight. The 3-6 month lifespan his cancer specialist said he could have was just 5 weeks.
Dad was such a strong man, both physically and mentally. He was working until 1 week before he was diagnosed and looked the picture of health. We his family and friends are still is in a state of shock and disbelief that he could be taken from us so quickly. At least he didn't suffer much, bit I still expect him to come home after at 6.30pm or to ask me when I come in late, 'where have I been?', 'where there many people out?' I know that's not going to happen.
Anyway thanks for reading this.
