In January 2013 my mother was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. I have been reeling with shock, disbelief and have stood watching helplessly since that dark day in January.  How could my mother, a fit, healthy and young at heart 79 year old be so sick?  She had never been ill in her life, maybe an occasional cold, and had recovered well from breaking her leg the previous year.  How could this happen?

Pancreatic cancer is silent and aggressive.  By the time noticeable symptoms are recognised, it is often quite advanced - and too late to put right.  Early diagnosis is essential and when I think back, Mum had experienced some of her symptoms much earlier.  Had we known more, perhaps she would have been diagnosed earlier and I would still be looking into those big blue eyes of hers. 

I'm telling myself that we must be thankful that we had Mum for almost six months after diagnosis and overall she was painfree and eating well. Mum bore her illness with her usual dignity and quiet reserve - never complaining, never demanding, and not making a fuss.  It all happened too quick at the end and I didn't get the chance to talk to her about what happens now.

Research into pancreatic cancer is poorly funded, few people have heard about it and it has a low survival rate.  We need to change that.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet to raise money in Mum's name and don't have a target amount to raise but I can't sit back and do nothing.  I don't want anyone else to lose their Mum, or anyone else they love so dearly, to such a nasty cancer.

Raising awareness is key so visit Pancreatic Cancer UK's website to find out the symptoms and share with everybody you know. And, if you can find it in your hearts to donate to this worthy charity, please do so through my JustGiving page.

Pancreatic Cancer UK provide an expert support and information service; fund research; and campaign to bring about positive change through raising awareness of pancreatic cancer. Their helpline is manned by specialist nurses who helped me enormously in those early days of diagnosis when I was searching for information and trying to make sense of everything.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.