Anna

My Story is about Virginia Murphy nee Cahill (my mother)

This event took place from 01 Dec 2020 to 21 Jun 2021

The Discovery

My mother had red flag symptoms in December 2020 (Nausea, belching, vomiting etc.) and was unable to get a GP appointment that month. Following a local a&e hospital admission in early January 2021, scans had showed a mass on the head of her pancreas (circa 4cm) and multiple liver lesions consistent with metastasis. It wasn’t until near the ned of January that a biopsy was taken and only in February 2021 did she receive the biopsy results confirming pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The family (we) were told that my mother would have anything between 3, 6 and 9 months to live, but closer to 3 months given the extent of the disease. My mother had several hospital admissions due to complications such as a gastric blockage, blocked bile duct and ascites. We did not hear from an oncologist for a long time and there was no true offer of chemo. Virginia sadly passed away on 21st June 2021, just 3 weeks after her 62nd birthday, leaving behind a husband of 42 years, her only sibling (brother), 5 adult children and 5 grandchildren.

This is My Story

My beautiful mother died at 62 years old. We (the family) cared for her morning, noon and night and never left her side since the day she was diagnosed until the day she took her last breaths. Virginia left behind a husband of 42 years, her only sibling (brother), 5 adult children and 5 grandchildren.

The Impact of Time

We are in Northern Ireland. Two months were wasted before my mother’s cancer was found and confirmed. Had my mother’s cancer been picked up in December we are sure that my mother would have had the opportunity to have been offered chemo, perhaps even delaying or preventing complications such as gastric blockage, bile duct blocks, and ascites.

PanCan is not like any other cancer. The prognosis for this cancer is remarkably short as it is often caught much too late. Patients of other cancers are often given 2 years prognosis, we had many well-meaning family friends and people in our community tell us not to worry about Virginia because they survived breast cancer and they were still here many years later after being given a 2 year prognosis. Patients with 2 years prognosis have a little bit of time to wait for procedures and treatment, whereas PanCan patients with only a few months prognosis have no time to wait. Each day in their journey is highly significant. GPs, physicians, oncologist and multi-disciplinary teams need to act fast and be involved in their patient’s care from day 1.

There was no early detection in my story, my mother suffered from back pain 2 years prior to her diagnosis (pre-pandemic). Even then, the GPs did not see her face to face and just prescribed over the phone without any further investigations. My mother continued to manage her own back pain herself at home for those two years. Could this back pain have been early symptoms of her pancreatic cancer? We will never know now.

Time is the most valuable resource in the world. Time is something that we can never get back, more valuable than money. Act now, live now! My precious mother never got time.

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Tali

My Story is about MY HUSBAND

This event took place from 23 Jun 2016 to 18 Feb 2018

The Discovery

For a year and a half my husband suffered from back pain on the left side, the doctor did all the possible tests but nothing was discovered. My husband lost Weight and started to suffer from constant burping. He was sent for an MRI scan and this is when they found the tumor in the tail of the pancreas with liver metastases, He was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.All the doctors were surprised because of his young age he was 51 years old

This is My Story

My name is TALI SEGEV, I am a member of the foundation LOVELOVE the ISREALI Pancreatic Cancer Foundation . My husband had pancreatic cancer and passed away 3.5 years and my father passed away from Pancreatic Cancer 2.5 month ago. This coming November I will be 54. November is a very meaningful month in my life, and not just because it is the day I was born. On my 50th birthday, my golden jubilee, I celebrated my last birthday with my late husband, YOSEF ZMADJA SEGEV, our 3 children and our extended family. At this stage of my late husband life, he was dealing with pancreatic cancer. and was already after three difficult rounds of chemotherapy, which success in affecting the tumor and reducing it and allowed him to enter the study of Dr. TALIA GOLAN, from Sheba Hospital, in Israel. A study that was designed for pancreatic cancer patients with genetic damage of BRCA2. I remember the moment we were informed that Yossi was a carrier of the genetic damage, that gave us hope for a treatment that was already known at the time, as a life-prolonger. Yossi began his research treatment and for nine months, his quality of life was like any person, who is conducted in his life with medication for a chronic illness. No side effects and no unbearable suffering. Medication that allowed Yossi to continue enjoying horse riding, which helped him greatly in his mental coping with the disease. Treatment that caused a significant reduction in the tumor in the pancreas and caused, almost completely, the disappearance of the metastases in the liver. We had nine months in which we were full of hope. Until the terrible day has come, when Yossi began to feel again the pains he had already known, before giving the innovative treatment. A day when we realized that the disease was back to being active. We were soon informed that the treatment had stopped working and Yossi, who was a warrior by nature, did not break down and asked, what else could be done, and agreed to join another experimental study that was less developed at the time. Yossi agreed to participate and said that even if he died eventually, it is important for him to contribute to finding a cure for the disease. The reaction to the drug and the side effects were not easy this time and when Yossi started developing epileptic seizures, I went back to Dr. Talia and asked to understand where we stand in dealing with the disease. Dr. Talia, who knew I was asking difficult questions, and wants to know the truth in order to know how to prepare for what about to come, looked at me with love, empathy and compassion and explained to me, in her gentle way, that Yossi had reached a stage in the disease that none of the pancreatic cancer patients had survived. Despite the great difficulty, Yossi did not give up, and set himself the goal of my 50th birthday as a destination to survive and reach it as he stands on his feet. At that time, Yossi was being treated with steroids and morphine pills that helped him function. Yossi survived and got to celebrate my birthday as he wished. Yossi wrote me a blessing that later became, a farewell letter and a will for continue my path as a woman who lost her husband to pancreatic cancer. A bless that I keep on the boards of my heart. A week after my birthday, Yossi’s condition deteriorated. I will never forget the moment when Dr. Talia told us that in the results of the C.T. It was discovered that Yossi’s liver had collapsed. Yossi asked to go out alone and left the room. It is hard for me to imagine what went through his mind when he received this news. I asked Dr. Talia, what now? I realized that we had reached a stage where there was nothing left to do, and my dear husband Yossi was going to die. From here, a rapid deterioration began, in which Yossi developed jaundice and began to suffer from severe, unbearable pain that caused us to connect him to a morphine machine, twenty-four hours a day. Yossi was treated at home as he wished. within a month and a half Yossi stopped eating and drinking, his legs swelled from edema and the dying phase began. Our three children and I set with him and not for a moment moved from his bed. My late husband Yossi passed away at home on August 12, 2018. He was 53 years old at the time of his death. We were married for exactly 30 years. And I, I was exactly 50 years old. I have lost, my best friend and left alone in the middle of life, thinking about our children continuing their lives without their father. After Yossi’s death my children have been tasted for BRAC2 and my older son, who is today 25 years old, found to be a carrier of the genetic damage BRAC2.
A year after the death of my late husband Yossi, I met Dr. Talia and told her that I want to donate and help the families of the patients. She told me about an association founded by several women, each with a story about pancreatic cancer. And that the association’s goal is to raise awareness of the disease, share knowledge and research and support families and patients. I immediately asked to join them. I felt it was my moral duty to give my knowledge that I had gained from my experience. despite the difficulty and pain, I knew I had found a new meaning to my life. I joined the association LoveloveIsreal and now, November, the month of my birthday has taken on another meaning in my life. I found out that this is the month that marks as the International Pancreatic Cancer Day.
Professionally I am a sycho-body therapist a mental and emotional therapy through the body. Working with techniques in movement, writing, meditation, imagination, touch, and speech. Throughout my late husband, Yossi’s struggle with the disease, I saw how the tools that I have, helped him deal with the physical pain of the disease and the emotional pain, that came along with the understanding that he was terminally ill, and that death was approaching. Our openness and my ability to contain and hold him with all the difficult issues that knowing he was suffering from pancreatic cancer brought with it, helped easing his coping with the disease.
Today In parallel with my work at my private clinic, where I accompany people who have lost their loved one and treat patients with terminal illnesses, I am a student of behavioral sciences. My children continue in their lives despite the difficulty and my two sons are student in the University. my daughter got married this year and made me a grandmother to a cute grandson.

The Impact of Time

early detection is not a play in my story becuse whan the cancer was found it was on stage 4. the gift of time related to my story with The extra time my husband was given to live thanks to his participation in the study of DR. TALIA GOLAN for patients with BRAC2 demage, and received a drug that allowed him to live another nine months without pain until the treatment stopped working and his liver collapsed.

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Adele

My Story is about Russell, a survivor

This event took place from 01 Dec 2019 to 08 Jun 2021

The Discovery

“I was feeling a little unwell and had a loss of appetite, I was losing weight, I also noticed that my urine was quite dark coloured, and my stools were light coloured. My skin was also yellowing although I or the people around me had not really noticed that.”

This prompted him to visit his GP surgery, where they arranged for him to undergo a blood test. Not long after, Russell’s doctor rang to inform him that the tests were abnormal and suspected that he had a gallstone blocking his bladder, something that had happened 2 years previously.

On January 9th, 2020, Russell was admitted to hospital for further investigations including an endoscopy and a CT scan, and later had a stent inserted into his bile duct to elevate the jaundice.

Shortly after his endoscopy, Russell was visited by the specialist who informed him that they suspected that he may have a tumour on the head of his pancreas and that he would need to visit a different specialist for another opinion.

Russell visited the specialist at the end of January, and it was not good news. He was informed that there was a 2.5cm tumour on the head of his pancreas and the only option was to undergo an emergency Whipple procedure, likely followed by a course of chemotherapy.

This is My Story

This is the story of how Russell went from being a fit and healthy 59-year-old man, enjoying life with his wife, Helen, and two children, Thomas, and Cassie, to being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the deadliest of the common cancers.

Russell pancreatic cancer survivorIt was December 2019 when Russell began to experience several unusual symptoms.

“I was feeling a little unwell and had a loss of appetite, I was losing weight, I also noticed that my urine was quite dark coloured, and my stools were light coloured. My skin was also yellowing although I or the people around me had not really noticed that.”

This prompted him to visit his GP surgery, where they arranged for him to undergo a blood test. Not long after, Russell’s doctor rang to inform him that the tests were abnormal and suspected that he had a gallstone blocking his bladder, something that had happened 2 years previously.

On January 9th, 2020, Russell was admitted to hospital for further investigations including an endoscopy and a CT scan, and later had a stent inserted into his bile duct to elevate the jaundice.

Shortly after his endoscopy, Russell was visited by the specialist who informed him that they suspected that he may have a tumour on the head of his pancreas and that he would need to visit a different specialist for another opinion.

Russell visited the specialist at the end of January, and it was not good news. He was informed that there was a 2.5cm tumour on the head of his pancreas and the only option was to undergo an emergency Whipple procedure, likely followed by a course of chemotherapy.

Despite the urgency of Russell’s condition, he was told that he would have to wait 3 months to have the Whipple procedure due to large waiting times. A worrying prospect considering over 80% of pancreatic cancer patients die within 3 months of diagnosis.

Thankfully, that’s when Russell’s wife stepped in.

“Finally, after several pleads by my wife, they said that they could try and refer me to Kings Hospital in London as they had previously agreed to take some cases off Morriston on a referral basis.”

Kings Hospital agreed to take on Russell’s case on the condition that Russell came for a consultation, which included a PET scan and pre op assessment. Russell and his wife headed up to the hospital on the 12th of February.

“Both my wife and I were shell shocked as they then ushered us into a side room with the cancer nurse who proceeded to give us McMillan brochures, cancer brochures and Whipple brochures while all the time saying it was likely to be cancer, but they would not say for sure.

I can honestly say that that hour in the nurse’s office was the worst experience I have ever had in my life, bar none.”

On the 16th of February, Russell checked into Kings Hospital and said a tearful goodbye to his wife, who was staying in a nearby hotel.

“I woke at about 8pm in ITU surrounded by tubes, leads and drips feeling rough. The operation had taken Mr Menon 10.5 hours to perform.!”

“The result of my Whipple was that the tumour was cancerous, approximately 3cm in size but they had removed it successfully and there was no spread.”

Russell’s surgery was such a success that he was out of bed within 2 days and released from hospital just 8 days later. However, his journey of physical and emotional recovery had only just started.

“I tried to keep mobile as much as I possibly could, walking every day and trying to do more around the house and garden.”

“Don’t get me wrong, there are tough days and then even tougher days when all you want to do is curl up in a ball and forget everything exists. Emotional, I have never been so emotional as I have since the operation, I could have cried about something almost every day “.

The treatment had also caused Russell to lose 3½ stone from December 2019 to March 2020 and he was then told that he would need a follow up course of chemotherapy.

Russell having chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer
“I cannot say I was looking forward to having 6-months chemotherapy, nobody would, but you have to do everything you can to try and ensure that you beat the cancer.”

Now looking back on his journey, Russell appreciates just how lucky he is to be in the 26% of people who survive 1 year after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

“Onto today, I am getting better and stronger every day and even though I still have ‘dark’ days when I don’t feel 100% I do feel lucky in a way, lucky I got referred, lucky that they agreed to operate, lucky it was just before the pandemic started, lucky that they went ahead with my chemotherapy but above all lucky that I have a loving, strong and determined wife and also children (20 & 25) who supported me all the way through this journey.

I know that I have won my battle against Pancreatic Cancer and maybe there will be more battles to come but it does help to try and stay as positive as you can.

Life for me and my family has changed, we have a new outlook on life and whatever the future may hold in store we try to make the most of every day we have together.”

The Impact of Time

“Onto today, I am getting better and stronger every day and even though I still have ‘dark’ days when I don’t feel 100% I do feel lucky in a way, lucky I got referred, lucky that they agreed to operate, lucky it was just before the pandemic started, lucky that they went ahead with my chemotherapy but above all lucky that I have a loving, strong and determined wife and also children (20 & 25) who supported me all the way through this journey.

I know that I have won my battle against Pancreatic Cancer and maybe there will be more battles to come but it does help to try and stay as positive as you can.

Life for me and my family has changed, we have a new outlook on life and whatever the future may hold in store we try to make the most of every day we have together.”

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Jenny-Lee

My story is about Clare, the best mom in the world, who died from pancreatic cancer three years ago

The Discovery

She was suffering from stomachache for a long time, she also lost weight and was really weak. Her doctor said that everything is OK and she’s just panicked…. one night she just couldn’t stand the pain. We took her to the hospital and the rest is history.

The Impact of Time

Who would ever say that pancreatic cancer was a gift? But I do, ever since I found out that my mother had pancreatic cancer.
Together, we learned about the value of each and every moment of time.
That is a gift that I will treasure until my own last day.

My mother and I weren’t always very close. For most of my life, I was “Dad’s daughter” more than my mother’s. There were times that she and I didn’t talk. I am embarrassed to share this, but I once told my friend that I wouldn’t even care if my mother would disappear from my life.
Four years ago, in the months leading up to her diagnosis, my mother felt unwell. I thought that it was only an excuse to stay home, not to visit my siblings and me, or just to be selfish. I never believed that she was really sick.

Then she started to experience several bad months. She had severe stomach pains, exhaustion and was in terrible pain. Late one night, when she just couldn’t stand it anymore, my brother and I took her to the hospital.
I recall that first night in the hospital so vividly. For the first time in my life I began to understand the effect of time. We waited all night long for her to have the CT exam and then another two weeks to get the results of the biopsy test. It felt like an eternity.
It may sound crazy to someone who hasn’t been through such an experience, but from the moment the oncologist gave us the terrible news, I got the mother I always dreamed of, and my mother got the daughter she always wanted.
Everything changed from that moment.

We suddenly understood the impact of time. We realized that we must use the time we are given. With every passing day, time that is lost will not return. Our bond flourished from being a really tough mother-daughter relationship, to one that was full of love, caring and compassion.
11 months of time since that night when our life changed until the day we said goodbye.
47 weeks of time to spend together, crying, laughing, talking and taking care of each other.
330 days for time to deepen a super-special mother/daughter relationship that changed my life, my perspective, and changed my everything …

Today, three years after she passed away, it’s so important for me to scream to the world that it’s about time!! It’s about spending more time with our loved ones!! It’s about time to appreciate what we have!! It’s about time to share our feelings!! It’s about time to be better people!! It’s about time to help others!! It’s about time to care of ourselves!!

And maybe, most importantly … it’s about time to understand that while I won’t get my mom back, I know more than ever, that I had the best mom in the world!!

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