Dying of Pancreatic Cancer

I was given the awful news that I have pancreatic cancer about 8 weeks ago, and when I asked the consultant how long did I have to live the answer was anything up to 12 months. I have tried not to show to my wife or family how worried I am about it so that they were not suffering as much as I was in silence. We get a lot of help from the palliative nurses and my own family and friends have been wonderful in helping us when help was needed. The greatest concern I had was, would I be in a lot of pain while I was dying from this cancer and was told thatI  I wouldn't be, but I still do have a lot of pain even though I have morphine pills two times per day and liqid morphine about once per day. I have constant back ache, and stomach ache. I seem to takea never ending cocktail of pills that don't seem to be helping me that much. I am losing my voice very slowly too. My wife is doing a wonderful job in caring for me as is the rest of my family, son, daughter, grandchildren, in laws and family friends. If I wasn't in so much pain most of the time and could get a good nights sleep I am sure I would feel so much better. I can't eat normal food any more and I am being fed on High Energy drinks 99% of the time and the biggest problem at the moment is being constipated most of the time which is proving difficult to overcome. I do wish that the UK law would allow people like me to be be put to sleep permanently if this is what they wanted. I have no fear of dying except dying in a lot of pain.

  • Welcome to Cancer Chat granny-tooth although I'm really sorry about the prognosis you have been given.

    I can't begin to imagine how difficult this must be, but I'm really glad you have the support of your family and friends and the palliative care nurses at this time.

    If the pain relief you are currently having isn't strong enough, do make sure you let the nurses know so they can adjust this and make you more comfortable.

    If there is anything you would like to discuss further with one of our cancer nurses, do feel free to make a post in their section of the forum. They're very insightful and will do all they can to support you and answer any other questions you may have at this time.

    So many of our members know how challenging this time can be granny-tooth, so you are not alone, and I'm sure it won't be long until some of them stop by to offer their support and advice.

    We're thinking of you granny-tooth and sending all our strength and support your way.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hello granny-tooth.  I am also terminal and recently the pain became quite bad.  I spoke to my McMillan nurse about it and she gave me a stronger dosage of morphine.  Please don't suffer in silence.......let your medical team know that you are in pain, my thoughts are with you.  Also I feel the same as you do about dying......I have got the courage to die, I just don't want to die in pain.  Take care, x

  • Hello Blue-girl, I contacted a nurse from the Palliatave and we are trying a slightly different regime of the pain killer . I  am  taking three of the Zomorf pills and 5mml of the morphone liquid before going to bed and then three of the pills in the morning to see how I cope with the pain. Evidently it will take a day or two to see if it will work to keep the pain under control, so only time will tell if it does work for me . I had about five hours sleep last night