Trevor G

I had my gall bladder removed in January of this year, after having problems for the last two years. After a few weeks I felt as though my gall bladder was still present, I was having problems with bloating, nausea, fatigue and loss of appetite. Then one day, in late April, my wife noticed my eyes were yellow. I went to A&E and was admitted immediately.

The diagnosis was a big shock

Two days later I had a CT scan, which revealed a mass in the head of my pancreas.

In that instant my world just collapsed, I became very emotional and just thought ‘I will be dead in three weeks.’

I had an MRI scan the day after, I was dreading it because I thought it would show that I am full of cancer. Unbelievably, the results showed no spread. The tumour was 2 cm and was blocking the common bile duct.

I had a stent fitted to treat my jaundice

I had to have an ERCP to fit a stent to relieve the bile duct blockage but unfortunately they could not take any brushings from the tumour.

I was allowed home and then referred to a consultant at our nearest specialist centre. The consultant was, and continues to be, an inspiration to me. I cannot praise him highly enough.

Unfortunately, after three weeks the stent became blocked, resulting in my being admitted to hospital and treated for sepsis. A new stent was fitted, and they did a fine needle biopsy, however the results were somewhat inconclusive.

The next step was to have a PET scan, which again, to my relief, showed absolutely no spread.

I was able to have an operation to remove the cancer

The consultant deemed I was ideal for the Whipple’s procedure, to surgically remove the tumour and give me the best chance of a successful outcome.

I have never smoked or drunk alcohol. I played sport and had a physical job (I worked 37 years in a coal mine) so I was considered fit for my age.

I had my Whipple’s surgery on the 27th of July, this year. I am presently 4 weeks post op.

The emotional impact of pancreatic cancer has been enormous

I am still coming to terms with the enormity of the operation. I spent 11 days in hospital covered in drips, drains, feeds and a catheter. Slowly they began to be removed and made life slightly more bearable.

There were a few very emotional episodes and the odd feeling of losing hope, but all the while my wife was there to reassure me. I don’t know how I would have coped if she hadn’t been there.

I am slowly making progress

I have been at home since August 13th. Progress to date is slow but satisfactory. I have nurses visiting every few days to assess the wound, which is still sore but manageable with painkillers.

I still feel very tired after any exertion but I am making progress. However, the biggest problem at the moment is dealing with emotion. I am finding it hard to come to terms with what I have been through.

This was compounded when my consultant informed me that when I have recovered sufficiently, I will need to have three months of chemotherapy. This really set me back and I was very close to having a breakdown, but, again my wife was there to convince me we will get through this.

I am feeling better and trying to be positive, but it’s hard going. I am so lucky to have my wife at my side, she has been my Mount Everest.

August 2022