Just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer

Hi, I had a meeting about my biopsy result with my consultant this morning, & he told me I have pancreatic cancer. I've had abdominal problems for nearly a year now, & was admitted for acute pancreatitis last summer for several days.

it's in the tail, contained, & I don't believe that it's a large (stage 1?). I'm due to have an operation (tail of pancreas & spleen to be removed) at the end of April, then to start chemo.

the meeting was all a bit of a blur, but I felt well supported.

I've now come to bed as I'm completely exhausted with the news, telling family & friends, lack of sleep last night.

i just feel incredibly guilty for what i am putting mrs. WB & my 2 grown sons through. I can't  feel bothered about me that much, but I just keep imagining what they must be feeling. I lost my mother & older brother to C, so I know what it's like for loved ones.

there, got that off my chest.

WB

Parents
  • Hi WB, firstly don't feel guilty - you have no control over this cancer & I'm sure your family will be supportive once the news has had time to sink in. Just to give you an idea - I am a healthy person - , healthy weight, exercise, don't smoke , hardly drink etc  & I was diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic in December. There doesn't seem to be any reason for us to get it - we're just unlucky but at least yours sounds like it's a treatabke . operable stage so that's positive. My mum  & dad unfortunately dues of cancer in the last 2 yrs ( breast & bowel) so it is in the family which makes me wonder if my daughter is at risk. My tumour is t2 (under 4cm) &  in the head of my pancreas but it had also spread to the duoduernum & slightly to my bowel. I had a whipper operation in jan 21 and started folfirinox chemo on 13th March. On cycle 2 of 12. I have been looked after fantastically by the pancreatic team at hospital - there're real specialists and perform this surgery about 4 times a week & are very experienced . They also have a pancreatic support team / buddy ststem and set me up with a lovely lady who had similar condition & she's been cancer free for 5 yrs now. Try & stay positive. Everyone has good & bad days so give yourself some slack - take care 

Reply
  • Hi WB, firstly don't feel guilty - you have no control over this cancer & I'm sure your family will be supportive once the news has had time to sink in. Just to give you an idea - I am a healthy person - , healthy weight, exercise, don't smoke , hardly drink etc  & I was diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic in December. There doesn't seem to be any reason for us to get it - we're just unlucky but at least yours sounds like it's a treatabke . operable stage so that's positive. My mum  & dad unfortunately dues of cancer in the last 2 yrs ( breast & bowel) so it is in the family which makes me wonder if my daughter is at risk. My tumour is t2 (under 4cm) &  in the head of my pancreas but it had also spread to the duoduernum & slightly to my bowel. I had a whipper operation in jan 21 and started folfirinox chemo on 13th March. On cycle 2 of 12. I have been looked after fantastically by the pancreatic team at hospital - there're real specialists and perform this surgery about 4 times a week & are very experienced . They also have a pancreatic support team / buddy ststem and set me up with a lovely lady who had similar condition & she's been cancer free for 5 yrs now. Try & stay positive. Everyone has good & bad days so give yourself some slack - take care 

Children
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