Sister Has Pancreatic Cancer

gemmalouise
gemmalouise Member Posts: 1 Member
edited July 19 in Pancreatic Cancer #1

Hi. My sister has pancreatic cancer. She lives in Western Canada and I live on the East Coast of the U.S. I went to visit her in October for a week to help her while she was getting chemo. The challenge I’m facing is that I don’t really know what is happening. She is being very optimistic about “kicking cancer to the curb.” At the same time she has said that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and the liver. She has not said she has stage such and such cancer. Does anyone else have a family member like this? Does anyone permanently recover from what seems like stage IV cancer? I have only the internet to give me information. Thank you.

Comments

  • barehead
    barehead Member Posts: 42 Member
    #2

    Go to pancan.org for excellent curated info on pancreatic cancer. Stage 4 is a difficult diagnosis. There are folks who benefit tremendously from immunotherapy and chemotherapy treatments. But it is a person by person situation.

    Thank you for being a caregiver, it is a tough job. By learning about the disease, you will be able to talk about things with her.

  • Kristin2024
    Kristin2024 Member Posts: 1 Member
    #3

    hello I am in a very similar situation, my sister was diagnosed last year, she lives in Europe and I am in the US. She is pretty reserved and doesn’t like to dwell on the cancer. But she does keep us informed of treatment. I don’t think she has asked about the stage. My biggest struggle is how to be of help with her being so far away. I can go I frequently to visit, but I worry that is also a burden. I am so sorry you are going through this too.

  • Celia94
    Celia94 Member Posts: 2 *
    #4
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/327888/sister-has-pancreatic-cancer

    Hi , I understand so well ! My aunt who is like a mother, a best friend, an angel was diagnosed with cancer few days ago, and she's in another country and I can't even visit her because I can't have a visa. When I asked her which stage she told me the doctor didn't tell her, but I'm pretty sure she didn't want me to worry and it breaks my heart to know that even sick she's caring about me. I don' know I can help her and I'm still in shock like didn't even cry until now while I'm writing this. Please help me to know how I can help her have strength to fight even if I'm far from her, how can I talk to her. I'm really helpless and anxious all the time ...

  • Celia94
    Celia94 Member Posts: 2 *
    #5
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/327888/sister-has-pancreatic-cancer
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/327888/sister-has-pancreatic-cancer

    But it is a such a good thing she's being optimistic, I strongly believe that mental is a key element of healing, and all the miraculous cases got this in common. I am really sorry you are going through this, and I pray for your sister.

  • KeepItMovin
    KeepItMovin Member Posts: 2 Member
    #6

    Hello,

    I have been in a similar situation, caregiving for someone very close and witnessing their personality change. It is very tough, and caregiving can be extremely difficult, often thankless but necessary, especially if there is no one else to provide care. Getting rid of expectations from others, or hopes about outcomes, and approaching the situation from the perspective that it needs to happen and you will not necessarily receive the care or recognition you desire/require can be difficult to grapple with. But we can’t control other peoples actions or emotions, only our own, as unappealing as it sounds. Here if you’d like to chat. Sometimes just saying the things out loud that are burdensome can be some form of relief. Best of luck, try to find things that bring you joy or are a healthy distraction and don’t try to predict the future, just do the next task and keep it moving.

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