We got word this week that my mother's pancreatic cancer is now considered end stage. They have tried to two best chemotherapies for this type of cancer and they are not proving effective. They have no reason to believe the third best would be any more effective. Her marker numbers are climbing, which strongly suggests that the cancer has metastasized. While her CT scans continue to show no change, it is likely because any new tumors are too small still to see.

There is nothing they can do for her. They cannot say when, but she will die in the next few months, maybe longer. My father does not seem to understand how immediately dire her situation is. They have been married almost 54 years and he will be lost without her.

She had been hoping to go to England one last time (with family) next month. It is not likely that she will be well enough to go. She may not even be here then.