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I was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in May 2016,  just after being diagnosed with DLBC Lymphoma and Follicular Lymphoma. During routine tests and scans for the Lymphoma they discovered a mass on my pancreas. After a fine needle test of the mass it was confirmed to be pancreatic cancer.  

I didn't know anything about Pancreatic Cancer until I was diagnosed. I didn't know anyone that had been affected by it, I didn't know about symptoms, warning signs or survival rates.

I suppose the symptoms were there but I didn't take much notice of them. I'd suffered with IBS for years, I'd also suffered with back pain, I just ignored my old conditions. The only new symptom was heartburn but work was pretty full on and having just been diagnosed with Lymphoma I put it down to stress. 

looking back:

• My stools had changed, they were more frequent, lighter and they were floating.
• My back pain was on the left side where normally it was on my right.

After being told I had Pancreatic Cancer my world fell apart.

I could handle Lymphoma, not the best news but the odds were a hell of a lot better than Pancreatic Cancer!

The survival rate for Pancreatic Cancer will only get better if more people are aware of this awful Cancer!

At the moment the survival rate is 7% much better than previous years but not good enough.

• Pancreatic Cancer is the 11th most common cancer in the UK
• 9,600 people will be diagnosed with it each year
• 93% of people in the UK diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer won't survive 5 years.
• Pancreatic Cancer that hasn't spread outside the pancreas and surgery is possible, out of 100 people between 7 to 25 will survive 5 years or more.
• Pancreatic Cancer that has spread outside the pancreas into surrounding tissues (locally advanced) If it can't be removed . medium survival is 6 to 11 months.
• Pancreatic Cancer that has spread to another part of the body. Medium survival rate is only between 2 and 6 months.

How can we make a difference?

• Know the signs and symptoms
• Spread the word
• Don't delay visit a health professional if you have symptoms.
• Donations and fundraising.

I underwent surgery to remove the tumour that was in the body of the pancreas, unfortunately this was unsuccessful due to the tumour growing around major blood vessels. I started chemotherapy a week later to reduce the tumour. Half way through treatment I was rescanned, luckily the chemotherapy worked so well the tumour had shrunk enough to undergo surgery. In September 2016 I had an extended distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy this time it was a huge success! Once I'd recovered enough it was time to get back to it, 6 more months of chemotherapy. 

April 2017 I was given the all clear. I am blessed, I am one of the lucky ones. I met many people on my journey that weren't as lucky as me and some are still fighting.

Please help me raise awareness and much needed funds for research.