Reflections on the impact of appetite, weight loss and PERT on an individual and a family as observed when caring for a 55 year old and 77 year old who died of pancreatic cancer within four months of each other. The conflict, the confusion, the contempt, the caution, the concern around something that once provided so much pleasure and a means of connection.
Food is so much more than fuel — it’s comfort, celebration, connection. Sharing meals is one of the simplest and most joyful ways we bond with the people we love. It brings routine, pleasure, and a sense of normalcy, especially during hard times. This was especially so during the pandemic when pancreatic cancer hit our family. But when food becomes a source of pain — when eating is met with nausea, discomfort, or complete disinterest or contempt — that joy is stripped away. It creates a deep emotional void, not just for the person who is unwell, but for everyone around the table.
This coupled with the distress of watching a person you love literally fade away before your eyes makes pancreatic cancer a particularly insidious disease. This decline often happens quickly and relentlessly, leaving little time to adjust or prepare. It robs people of strength and dignity in such a visible way, and for families, it’s a daily grief that begins long before the final goodbye.