Hello, my name is Nikki, I'm 52 and I found out on Wednesday after a short hospital stay that I have bile duct/pancreas cancer. I've been ill for nearly a year with what my consultant was convinced was the beginnings of chronic pancreatitis and have test after test, scan after scan, all that ever showed was the head of pancreas being inflamed. There was never any mention of cancer although deep down I suspected it might be. I had terrible pain at the beginning but that did go eventually (I had four months off work) bed I was absolutely strict about following the low fat diet that was suggested and gave up alcohol completely. I've always been pretty fit with s healthy diet - just goes to show it makes no difference, if cancer wants you, it gets you! I became ill a month ago after returning from a holiday in my native New Zealand with jaundice and itching and was admitted to hospital with an infection. Recovered quickly from that but an ERCP was done to insert a stent to relieve the blockage and a biopsy revealed the cancer. Have to admit it was almost a relief - at least I know what I'm dealing with and I am determined to fight the ***. Surgery is the only hope of a cure (and it's a massive surgery) and already I have an appointment at the Churchill in Oxford to discuss options so their not writing me off just yet. I'm not writing me off either - I've got no time for dying! I have the most amazing husband (who's mum is going through treatment for colon cancer - I feel so desperate for him) and support network so I feel very lucky. Two of my friends are nurses and very reassuring. I will do everything in my power to beat this and I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me. It's a reall rollercoaster and I'm just starting the ride.