My dad is dying

Searching and looking for how to deal with our situation and came across this site. Realise I'm not alone in this world. 

Just looking to vent and get my emotions out. Like I have read people tell you to be strong and keep your chin up. I know they have good meaning but it does not help. I'm desperately trying to do that but in that am feeling more alone because I'm expected to be strong.  

Xmas is here and everyone feeling happy.  How can I drain my friends more. Feel i need to isolate myself and keep my sadness inside.

My dad is my absolute world. We go out and are good friends and rely on each other. No other close family nearby. Suddenly hit with with him being ill 5 weeks ago. Pancreas cancer. They tried to operate but spread to his liver. Looking at chemo but don't understand at the moment if that will help. Consulant said will have to wait and see. 

Dad in pain today and getting down. Desperately trying to keep his spirit's up and make him strong. 

I feel like those around me don't understand my struggle. We only found they couldn't operate a few days ago. How do I make sure he continues to fight. How do I know if he stands a chance. 

This message probably does not make sense but sending anyway.  

  • I have sent you  a message hunni too X 

  • Hi Louise, I am so sorry to hear about your dad  :( My dad was diagnosed less than 3 months ago and I am still in shock every day. I find it so difficult to see him in pain and I feel helpless because I cannot help him. He started chemo and it's been so horrible. The side effects are worse than cancer itself. I can see how scared he is before each treatment and how much weaker he gets and it breaks my heart. He's lost so much weight and doesn't have an appetite. The doctors said the surgery might be possible but I just don't think he is strong enough to handle it. I honestly don't understand how it happened. 3 months ago my dad looked happy, healthy, full of life. He is only 58 and he is the best person I know and I love him more than anything. 

  • Hi Louise, I was so sad to read your story but was is a similar situation. My husband was diagnostic with pancreatic cancer and we had our hopes up they he was going to get the Whipple procedure but unfortunatly they discovered it had spread to his liver. He was just 51 and sadly passed away on the 31st of October after just 12 weeks leaving behind me and our 2 teenage sons. I found it really hard to deal with, especially because he was in a lot of pain all the time. He ended up with a syringe driver which put pain relief into his body. People say that this disease isn't painful but they are wrong. Keep at the doctors about his pain relief as he needs a quality of life. They managed to control my husbands pain relief better when he received palliative care. You will need your friends to support you through this. I felt I was living in a bubble all the time and it didn't feel real as it was over so quick. One thing I'd say is never give up hope, there are people that survive this disease for years despite the statistics. Thinking of you