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• Cancer >> Pancreatic Cancer >> Long term effects of the cancer and its treatment >> Long term effects of the cancer and its treatment

Long term effects of the cancer and its treatment

 

• Cancer >> Pancreatic Cancer >> Everyday life and facing the future >> Everyday life and facing the future

Everyday life and facing the future

 

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• Cancer >> Pancreatic Cancer >> Unsuitable for potentially curative surgery >> Steve - Interview 14 >> Steve gave himself an injection of insulin before each meal. He had another injection before going to bed.

In 2009 Steve was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He had chemotherapy and radiotherapy to shrink the tumour, but the tumour remained too close to major blood vessels, so was inoperable. Steve feels quite well but knows he has a terminal illness.

• Cancer >> Pancreatic Cancer >> Had potentially curative surgery >> Peter - Interview 36 >> Peter agreed with Epicurus, who argued that working to remove the fear of death is a very important part of living.

In 2000 Peter was diagnosed with a very rare form of pancreatic cancer, a neuroendocrine tumour. He had chemotherapy followed by a distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy, and removal of tumour from portal vein. Since then he has been well.

• Cancer >> Pancreatic Cancer >> Had potentially curative surgery >> Elaine - Interview 10 >> Cancer made Elaine appreciate her life. Although she wanted to lead a ‘normal’ life she decided to live each day as if it might be her last.

Elaine was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 1995. The surgeon removed most of her pancreas and her spleen. Elaine also had some radiotherapy. Since then she has been very well indeed and only takes Metformin for mild diabetes.

• Cancer >> Pancreatic Cancer >> Had potentially curative surgery >> Vicky - Interview 15 >> Vicky found it hard to forget that she had cancer and that one day her health might deteriorate. She found it difficult to plan for the future.

Vicky was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2007. She had an unusual neuroendocrine tumour. She had a Whipple’s operation and then radiofrequency ablation to treat small lesions in her liver. She feels well but knows the lesions may increase in size.

• Cancer >> Pancreatic Cancer >> Had potentially curative surgery >> Alison - Interview 02 >> Alison cut out most refined sugars because she had developed diabetes. She found red meat hard to digest and cut it out.

In 2007 Alison was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She had surgery- a distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. This was followed by chemotherapy and then chemoradiotherapy. She is now feeling well and is optimistic about the future.

• Cancer >> Pancreatic Cancer >> Unsuitable for potentially curative surgery >> Maureen - Interview 18 >> Maureen had a good relationship with her partner but while she was having chemotherapy the physical side of their relationship came to ‘a standstill’.

Maureen was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 4 months ago after having abdominal pain and digestive problems. She is having chemotherapy (capecitabine and gemcitabine), which is shrinking the tumour, and hopes to go on to have an operation to remove it.

• Cancer >> Pancreatic Cancer >> Had potentially curative surgery >> Carol - Interview 37 >> Carol felt tired at times but her life was almost as it was before she became ill. She ‘listened to her body’, took advice from her medical team, and

Carol was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2008. She had a pyloric preserving pancreatico-duodenectomy and cholescystecomy followed by chemotherapy. Now she feels well. Her blood markers are rising but scans have not revealed a recurrence.

• Cancer >> Pancreatic Cancer >> Unsuitable for potentially curative surgery >> Dorothy - Interview 20 >> Dorothy felt quite well. She decided to try to forget about her illness and to ‘carry on life as normal’ for as long as possible.

In 2007 Dorothy’s doctor found she had an inoperable pancreatic tumour which he suspected was malignant. She is not having treatment now because the doctor said that it would have limited benefit at the expense of quality of life. Dorothy feels quite well.

• Cancer >> Pancreatic Cancer >> Unsuitable for potentially curative surgery >> Peter - Interview 13 >> Peter decided to get as ‘much out of life as possible’ before he died. For example, he was determined to join the National Trust and to visit all thei

Peter was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer eight months ago after losing weight and having stomach pains. He has recently finished a course of radiotherapy with chemotherapy tablets and is awaiting a scan to find out what effect it has had.

• Cancer >> Pancreatic Cancer >> Unsuitable for potentially curative surgery >> Steve - Interview 14 >> Steve was reconciled to being terminally ill. His strong Christian faith helped him. He felt quite well and still enjoyed life.

In 2009 Steve was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He had chemotherapy and radiotherapy to shrink the tumour, but the tumour remained too close to major blood vessels, so was inoperable. Steve feels quite well but knows he has a terminal illness.

• Cancer >> Pancreatic Cancer >> Had potentially curative surgery >> Ann - Interview 01 >> Ann loved looking at her old photographs. They gave her more pleasure than any of her other things.

Ann was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May 2007. She had a Whipple’s operation followed by chemotherapy. Ann recovered and was ‘incredibly well’ for two years. Then symptoms returned and a scan showed a recurrence with secondary tumours in her lungs.

• Cancer >> Pancreatic Cancer >> Had potentially curative surgery >> Tony - Interview 35 >> Tony said that his life was as it was before he had his operation. However, he missed his colleagues and hoped he would be able to return to work.

Tony was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December 2009. In February 2010 he had a Whipple’s operation. Since then he has been having chemotherapy. Apart from some abdominal pain, which started recently, he feels well and enjoys life.