My PC Story - by Mary Kearney

FOREWORD

This blog was written by Mary in May 2021, at which point she believed she was in remission from pancreatic cancer, and a survivor to bring hope to all.

Sadly, Mary's cancer came back and she passed away in September 2022. 

She is sorely missed by the PCANZ Christchurch Coffee Group members.

Rest in love Mary xxx

MARY'S STORY

My journey with Pancreatic Cancer began with after-work drinks one Thursday night in July 2020.  Along with one wine I had 2 sausage rolls to eat. Later that night I had what I now realise was indigestion and questioned my wisdom as to  actually having eaten both of the sausage  rolls. I slept little that night as I felt so uncomfortable. I  am a teacher and then thought I must have caught a tummy bug from a child at school. I spent the weekend feeling pretty yucky and noticed my urine was dark brown and my stools were very pale. I also had a very itchy rash on my chest. I had no sign of any jaundice at this stage.  I was talking to another teaching colleague and she remarked that the symptoms reminded her of the same symptoms she had had several years before when she caught hepatitis from a school pupil. I was frightened I had hepatitis and pictured my school as having to  close and have all the school tested so I headed to my GP on the Monday morning. 


The GP was very thorough and after listening to my symptoms and examining me sent me for an urgent blood test. The blood test results the same  day had me then sent the next morning up to Christchurch ( I live in Ashburton )  for an urgent ultrasound. I was still unaware of exactly what the GP suspected and thought we were looking for a gallstone blocking my bile duct. The results of the scan that morning had me sent immediately to the Christchurch hospital to be admitted. After CT scans, MRIs and an attempt to evaluate the problem via an endoscopic procedure I was diagnosed 3 days later with a biliary obstruction that was likely to be carcinoma. I was completely and utterly blown away . The surgeon visited me and my family in my hospital room and I thought he was coming to tell me there was nothing that could be done ( the only people I had known with Pancreatic Cancer only survived their diagnosis for a few short weeks ) . The surgeon was quite adamant I was a candidate for surgery and I was booked to have a Whipple Procedure one week later. 

I did a little bit of reading in the next week via Google but mostly focused on getting my affairs in order. I visited my lawyer and then wrote letters to all my children and grandchildren. I also wrote very detailed instructions for my funeral should I not survive the surgery. I felt this was a very powerful and empowering thing to do although I must admit I cried buckets doing it. It was one thing I could do to be “in charge” during this waiting time. I live alone so I welcomed the opportunity to be by myself and complete this task.


On the 21st of July I had a 10 hour surgical procedure to remove the head of my pancreas. I’m sure it was a very long day for my family but I felt I flew through the surgery. I spent 17 days in Christchurch hospital and was amazed as to how well the pain was managed and I didn’t find the surgery too painful ( there were some pretty powerful drugs on board ) . The main waiting time was for all my re-plumbing to work again.  The results after surgery were that the tumor was removed with clear margins but cancer showed in 3 lymph nodes.


After 17 days I was discharged to recover with my family. At the end of August, I began my chemotherapy regime. The first round was pretty awful and I didn’t leave my bed for 3 days.  I had some facial swelling, some diarrhea which was manageable but very wearying , mild nausea and some chest pain. I had pretty well much decided I would stop the chemotherapy and met with the oncologist after 10 days. The oncologist felt the side effects were at the severe end of the spectrum so it was decided to dial the dose down by 20%. I continued then to have 10 more rounds. The side effects were nowhere near as severe . After 9 rounds I had a CT scan which showed no sign of any recurrence or metastases. After the 11th round it was decided that I should stop the treatment as I had side effects of neuropathy in my hands and feet. The following CT scan showed no recurrence or metastases. I was discharged from the care of the oncologist and referred back to my GP for follow up. 


I was a little terrified that the only follow up on offer was 3 monthly blood tests so I went privately to see my surgeon. He explained that these routine blood tests were the best way to monitor my progress., to keep a clear monitoring of my weight and to know my own body.  I have just had a post chemo 3 month series of blood tests which came back all okay. So, the next step for me is to follow up with more blood tests in 3 months. 


I consider myself to be one of the success stories of Pancreatic Cancer. The quick diagnosis from my GP and my initial hospital visit , the skills of the surgeon and the compassionate and thoughtful way the chemotherapy regime was decided and administered for me were all crucial to my recovery including the marvellous district nurses who called at my home to watch over my chemo infusions and care for my picc line.  As I live alone it was decided by my family and friends that I was never to be alone at home throughout my whole treatment. Consequently, there was always someone here to do all the mundane  but necessary tasks around my home. They took over all the running of my home and coaxed and cajoled me to eat when I didn’t feel like it. They drove me to my many treatments, listening to me when I had meltdowns and supported me 100%. I truly feel my journey has been a real team effort.

 As a side point I asked my GP recently if he had experience with another patient with Pancreatic Cancer before and he told me I was his first so I again told him I would be forever grateful to him for his diagnosis. 


The main point I want to make is that there is always hope. 


Hope that the symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer become more widely known, hope that people are educated not to ignore their own body’s symptoms and hope that we can find a cure for PC.