“I’m Still Here 5 Years Later Even Though My Doctor Told Me I Was Going To Die – Always Have Hope”
Hi, I’m Sharon Jones, and I’m a five-year survivor of pancreatic cancer. Five years ago, if someone had told me I’d be here writing this, I wouldn’t have believed them. When I was diagnosed, I thought it was a death sentence - but I’m here to tell you that there is hope.
The Symptoms I Didn’t Know Were Serious
It all started in March 2019 with something I never would have linked to cancer: intense itching in my hands. It was so bad that only antihistamines helped for a short while. Then, my bowel movements changed – I was severely constipated, and my stomach swelled to the point that I looked nine months pregnant. I ended up in A&E, but they sent me home after a basic treatment.
Months passed, and by October, I started experiencing excruciating back pain that made me physically sick. Again, I ended up in A&E, but this time, they accused me of being drunk. In reality, I had sepsis and had become delirious. I was treated and sent home once again.
Then, in November, my skin turned bright yellow. I knew something was seriously wrong. After multiple scans and tests, a month later, I finally got the news – pancreatic cancer
Facing the Diagnosis
The doctor’s words were devastating. My prognosis was poor, and when my daughter asked if I was going to die, the answer was “yes.” That moment crushed me, but deep inside, I refused to accept it.
A Macmillan nurse gave me hope and helped me get referred for the Whipple procedure, a major surgery to remove part of my pancreas. It was a whirlwind – tests, a crash course on diabetes, and before I knew it, I was in surgery. Just six days later, I was home, to my four German Shepherds, determined to recover.
The Toughest Battle: Chemo and COVID
Chemo was the hardest part. I had to take home a chemo pump every weekend, and as soon as it came off, I was completely drained. I could barely hold my head up. The worst part? It was during the COVID pandemic, so I had to go through it alone. No family by my side, no visitors – just me, my thoughts, and a deep determination to survive.
The Mental Toll and Finding Hope
For a long time, all I could think about was my funeral. I’d pass funeral homes and start picking out urns in my head. I felt trapped in the idea that I wouldn’t make it. It took counselling and sheer willpower to shift my mindset.
I would like to thank my surgeon Declan Dunn, and Phil Phelan, the pancreatic cancer specialist nurse at Liverpool Hospital for giving me the hope I needed.
Today, I look back and realise how little awareness there is about pancreatic cancer. I didn’t even know what it was before my diagnosis. And yet, it’s one of the deadliest cancers, often diagnosed too late. That’s why I’m sharing my story – to help others recognise the symptoms early.
Know the Signs
If I had known the symptoms back in 2019, maybe my journey would have been different. That’s why I urge anyone experiencing these signs to push for answers.
Five years later, I’m still here. I made it. And I want others to know that survival is possible. If you’ve been diagnosed, don’t lose hope. Fight, push forward, and believe that you can be one of the survivors.
To anyone reading this – listen to your body, advocate for yourself, and never give up hope.