The caregivers...

[Miki8]

I am taking care of my husband who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August (2011) They say no surgery yet because tumor is wrapped around an artery and touching a vein..do chemo and radiation first....couldnt do radiation because it is too large and would effect the surrounding organs too much...so did 7 weeks of Gemzar chemo....took MRI yesterday...we see doctor on tues...I assume the best case senerio would be for it to have moved away from the vein and artery then can do whipple.....I know he is scared..I feel bead being so upset and it effecting my so badly..I act strong in front of him...but am freaking out.....I dont want to put any focus on me, but this is so hard...everyone calls me all the time checking on him..so I have to repeat how he is feeling..what doctors are saying and so forth...It is hard on me too....I feel alone...Am I being selfish???

[cathdw1]

NO you are not being selfish , Iam also suffering with this terrible cancer and i have not got the option of surgery as the tumour wrapped around 2 veins . as much as i am suffering ...... i can see the devastation on my loved ones faces and i understand that , You need someone like specialist nurses to help you . stay strong .

[Maggie25]

No you are not being selfish, your emotions will be all over the place with everything that is going on. It is hard for the caregivers, perhaps you could see what external assistance is available to you. You need to keep yourself strong in order to be able to give your husband the support and love you want to give him. Sending you strength and best wishes

[Miki8]

Thank you both so much....we find out tuesday (Nov 22) if it has shrunk and is no longer wrapped around the vein and not touching the artery...I am recieving counseling ( I have been for several years as I am bi-polar) He is the only one who keeps me sane...he helps me so much that I feel powerless to help him with this....Pray for good results on Tuesday please....

[macca]

Hi Miki 8

My heart goes out to you, it is one of the hardest times you will have not only supporting your husband but also trying to continue with everyday life! Please ask for help from family or very close friends to shield any calls and appoint someone else to pass the information on to others, you really need to reserve your energy for yourself and your lovely husband. I wish you Blessings ten fold and hold you both in thought for Tuesday!

When my husband Kevin was diagnosed with PC March 10 he underwent the whipple operation in April of that year, I just concentrated on being with him, our two bless them children spoke to family and friends, I didn't speak to anyone other than my husband son & daughter for three weeks I just concentrated on my energy being at the hospital with him, the tumour was attached to the portal vein the surgeons at blackburn hospital said they managed to remove most of the tumour but couldn't get it all so they scraped as near to the vein as possible, he then underwent chemotherapy for six months, in January 11 he has been given the all clear, he has ongoing complications but thankfully he is still with us and we feel very blessed