Just diagnosed with S4 terminal pancreatic cancer.

I think I only have a few months to live according to Dr Google!! (I am starting all the tests but already know it has spread to my liver and lungs). I am so sad for my husband. We have no children (an IVF nightmare that we didn't win) and now I am leaving him on his own. It is breaking my heart. He is a quiet shy man who has a heart of gold and a lovely nature... loving ... caring... but no real friends as his focus has always been our cats, me, his garden and work (in that order!). He lost is 88 yr old Mum to cancer 2 months ago (she lived with us and the end was difficult)  and now he is losing me. He has a sister who is in touch but they are not really close but her contact helps. My family don't understand my husband and perceive his quietness for weakness so have been less than kind to him over the years so he will get no support there! What can I do to help him cope. Watching him cry is heartbreaking. Thanks for listening.

  • I am so sorry to read your sad news. I have lost a number of relatives to pancreatic cancer (the BRCA2 gene runs in the family, which puts those persons with it at a higher risk of PC). 
    Best not Googling anything (although I don't practice what I'm preaching). My reason for saying this - my aunt who passed recently, was diagnosed with stage 4 PC at the beginning of December 2019. At that point she was not expected to make it to Christmas. One surgeon was prepared to insert a stent to open up the common bile duct - this was done, and removed both the jaundice and itching. She was on various medications, but she lived until April this year - and her quality of life was really quite good until the last couple of weeks. Taking her as an example, I think the key is remaining positive, and keeping your husband informed, and for your husband - to keep himself busy. My aunt and uncle did not have any children either, but the remainder of the family, and his neighbours and friends are ensuring that he is ok - and will continue to do so. 

  • Thanks for your lovely response. I had no idea it was BRCA2 gene related. It is a comfort to hear of your own experiences because - yes everything I read / googled points to 3 months left  .... which was a real shocker for me because, aside from some pain, I feel perfectly fine. However, I have no doubt there is more to come. My focus is on hubby and him coping after I have gone. But if I could get another year then I would be eternally grateful to whatever I can get to achieve that!! Thanks again for your kind response. It helped.

  • So sorry to hear the sadness in your post. At the time of my diagnosis (High grade stage 4C P.P.C) My oncologist told me not to Google it! I held out for awhile but did. Yes I did wish I hadn't However she also advised me that statistics do not tell every individual story and that as we are all unique every persons 'journey' too is unique. and she sees that all the time. That has given me a huge amount of strength to deal with what every day brings. It has also given me a psychological strength I didn't know I had. So much so I have dragged my husband along with my positivity. I say I feel to well to be dying any time soon and also I believe my body has cancer but my spirit doesn't. I do ask my husband what information he wants to know and I am open with him. I like to have a plan and that does include things that we might not be able to achieve. I also periodically remind him of the helpline numbers should he want to talk to someone other than me.  Your attitude to dealing with your diagnosis has every possibility of bucking those statistics.  I also think "well if it's not saying 100% of people diagnosed etc then why shouldn't I be one of the 3% or whatever the small margin maybe" someone is one of that statistic and that could well be me so I'm not going to waste my time unnecessarily thinking I'm one of the 93%. I truly hope you get some peace of mind and live in the moment with your lovely husband. Plan what you can at the moment for his life without you , if he can't face doing that at the moment with you, do what you can that gives you some peace of mind.keep it in a box or a file on computer or USB stick  as things come to you that you think may ease things for him. People in our position whatever stage we are at very rarely  die suddenly so you will have chance to direct him to all your 'surviving without me' plans etc. These are just ideas that may help. My love goes out to you both and positive vibes too.xx

  • Thank you - that is a great post and really lifted my spirits. It's really good to know that we are not alone with this - your positivity is inspiring. You are right - its not the time to give up and you have given me some great advice. I have always been optimistic person so will look for the bright side and bring hubby with me hopefully!! Its just all a bit of a shock just now but I am sure we will get through it. Thanks again [@Sloopda]‍ ! Your comments are very much appreciated!