The Story.

This page has been set up in the memory of our beloved mother Denise Thomson who lost her battle with pancreatic cancer on the 8th September 2012 aged just 54 years old, leaving her 3 children; Myself, Kimberley, Ian and her loving partner Norman.

Mum worked at Wrightington hospital in a role that she loved and adored helping others as this was second nature. Her warm smile, personality and kindness will be greatly missed there.

We were first made aware from mum that she was ill on the 31st May 2012. She had opened up to Kim that she was not well and unsure of what was the cause was. A close friend and work colleague at Wrightington Hospital had noticed that mums stomach was enlarged and fatigue had set in during her daily work which was not like her. Tests were arranged to be carried out and advised that she take some time off of work until the diagnosis had been found due to the severe pain she was getting during the night time which she fought without telling anybody.

Mum had been for various tests in which we found out that she had ovarian cysts and that they may well be cancerous due to the size and amount of them. Mum had been referred to have a gynae coloscopy and biopsy to determine whether this was to be the case.

Before we had the date for the coloscopy she experienced a bout of jaundice where she was reffered to hospital. Almost a week had passed when we were told that it was not the cysts that they were now worried about as she had a 'mass' within her pancreas which from medical experience was very very rare not to be cancerous.

Mum was admitted to Manchester General Hospital on a specialist ward where she underwent numerous tests and scans fighting through the pain barrier as it came to light that her tumor was pressing against nerves causing excruciating pain to her that was really difficult to control before we had the news that she had stage 3 locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Mum was finally allowed to return home but she had to reside at Kim's house due to the 24/7 care required for her at this time. Kim was required to take long term sickness from her job at Wigan hospital to carry this out with myself still working during the week and Ian helping throught the days and nights that i was not able to due to work commitments. Mum then had to return back to hospital after 2 weeks as she became very ill and where we were informed that mum was going to die on the weekend of the 28th July and was fast tracked home.

Mum miraculously 'came back from the dead' and made a fantastic recovery allowing us to spend some amazing time with her and even visiting Evesham for a long weekend, days out and quality family time that we would never thought we would get again.

During this time mum had been admitted to Wigan & Leigh hospice as high priority due to the hospitals unable to control her pain which could occur at any moment. The hospice was absolutley outstanding, controlling her pain and ensuring that her every need was met by the doctors, nurses, staff and voluntary workers. She said that she was very happy to be in the care of the hospice and enjoyed her time there as she could go out as and when she pleased and return to an environment that she loved where we and anybody could visit her as and when we wished.

Mum fell ill again 2 weeks later and went into a comatosed state in which we were informed that she had damaged kidneys, a possible perforated bowel, renal failure or a major infection. We were given no option really and asked the hospital to ensure she was comfortable as the complications that would occur if she had rode the illness this time would have led to her passing regardless.

That was the toughest decision we as a family will ever have to make.

We were vigilant by her bedside from the moment she was admitted to hospital on Tuesday 4th September and she carried on her battle until 16:09pm 8th September where myself and Kim were holding her hands at her final moment losing her battle with pancreatic cancer before passing over.

She is now in a better place where her pain and suffering has ended and she can watch over her family and friends whenever she wishes.

Wigan & Leigh hopsice is a registered charity that provides free care to people in the community and relys solely on donations to carry this out. Without these donations the hospice could not carry out all their great work to the community and enhancing the quality of life of individuals with a life threatening illness.

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