I am feeling slightly detached while I write this; maybe that's good, or not.

My father's fight against pancreatic cancer ended this week; The fates were bad to us, taking him in a time window when no family members were present. At least much of his battle against the invader did not have extreme pain.

Pancreatic cancer is filthy; by the time symptoms occur it's already been growing for a good bit of time. It is located deep inside the body, where it can cause lots of mayhem by pushing/pinching organs.

For my father's situation by the time a whipple was ready to be performed the tumor had grown too close to blood vessels, creating a major risk that the surgery would be deadly to him. So just chemo and radiation were available. Pancreatic cancer can be very stubborn, and resist shrinkage by these tactics.

Right now I am making myself busy; there are plenty of arrangements to have the final goodbye, along with sorting the collection of financial and personal items. Every document with his handwriting is like an item written by a ghost.

Randall,

I am so sorry to hear about your fathers passing. You are right, pancreactic cancer IS a filthy filthy disease. In fact, all cancers are. A good friend of my fathers and my friends mother both died from pancreatic cancer as well. By the time they showed symptoms it was too late. I pray that a cure to this evil disease will someday be found. Please take care of yourself and know that there are many people here to listen if you need to talk or vent. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

My prayers are with you and your family. he did not suffer too much pain so in this way he was blessed. My husband died of colon and brain and he screamed for a week even with the morphine.
May God give you and your family comfort at this sad time,
Barbara~

I'm so sorry for your loss, Randall. I'm grieving, too, over the loss of my DH just a month ago from the same horrible beast. He was only 54. 2 weeks shy of 55. I wish you strength during this time.

I'm really sorry about the loss of yur Father. this is going to be a hard time and i just hope you will find strength to get through this.

My Dad is currently battling with cacer and is fdeterirating and we do not know how long we have left.

Take care and my thoughts are with all who are going through such horrible things.