Late diagnosed pancreatic cancer

I am still trying to fully understand what is happening. My husband of 81 has had Parkinson's for 14 years so with age and his condition he has slowed down over the last couple of years.

5 weeks ago we were on a UK holiday break and he seemed to have perked up a bit, but then 2-3 weeks he became very stiff, his mobility had deteriorated. Of course, I just thought his Parkinson's was getting worse so made appointment for the Parkinson's clinic.

Then last week he became jaundiced, Friday night he went into hospital. 

Now been told he has a mass which is pressing on his liver which is making him jaundiced and it is pancreatic cancer, they are looking at putting a stent into him this week and will then discuss the future. So, at the moment I am a bit overwhelmed. 

With it being the weekend not a lot is being done medically, so we won't know what the future holds until all the tests have been done and assessed.

It is a bit of a shock as there have been no symptoms and this would have been coming on for months.

As my husband is 81 and has Parkinson's I doubt very much that there is any treatment, there has been a lot to take in, but palliative care has been mentioned.

I would be grateful to hear from anyone who has been through this, I know every case can be different, butn how long do people usually live and is it a relatively peaceful end or do I need to prepare myself that it is going to be painful so I am prepared to help and support my husband. 

 

  • I'm so sorry you're going through this. My brother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer recently and unfortunately it's one of those cancers that, by the time it's causing problems, it's often spread.

    whatever your husband's consultant suggests in terms of treatment there is no reason for him to be in pain. Do express these concerns to the team treating him and also inform your GP so that you will have the support of a District Nurse.

    Best wishes to you and your husband.,

  • I'm so sorry that you and your husband have been given this news. My dad died 4 days ago from pancreatic and liver cancer. He was 74 and only diagnosed 4 weeks ago. He was given 3-6 months to live. Unfortunately it was extremely aggressive and he deteriorated very quickly. I'm so sorry that I can't be more positive. He also went into hospital for a stent fitted but we think by then it was too late. All the advice I could give would be to get the palliative care team involved as soon as the pain seems difficult to manage. The hospital found it extremely difficult to control his pain and it was only the palliative care doctors who really got on top of it. As I say it had spread to his liver and that also was why he deteriorated so quickly. I hope that this will not be the case for your husband and that there is some hope. All the best. 

  • Fortunately although my husband is Jaundiced he isn't in any pain, but definitely as soon as he complains of pain I will be making sure they do everything to make him comfortable.

    Hope your brother is managing to have some quality of life pain free.

  • My husband only became jaundiced a week ago, he has had two stents fitted.

    Fortunately he is pain free, but with his age and other health conditions, no treatment other than pain relief when needed is recommended.

    He didn't want to know "how long" it is only ever a guess. He just wants to take each day as it comes.

    It must have been a shock and very upsetting that your dad died so quickly. 

    Sending you my best wishes during this difficult time.

  • Thank you, it has been quite a shock. I'm pleased that your husband is pain free and hopefully the stents will do the trick. It certainly doesn't sound like it is progressing as quickly as my dads did. 
    All the best for the future.