Paul Bamford handed away from pancreatic cancer aged 51. Christmas 2020 was the final Christmas he spent together with his spouse Sharon, 53, and their three kids Jack, George and Lily.

The household, who miss Paul each day, however particularly at Christmas, at the moment are sharing his story in a bid to lift consciousness of the illness, but in addition as a part of Pancreatic Cancer Action’s new fundraising marketing campaign #MISSEDatChristmas.

On what turned out to be his final Christmas, Paul had gone over to his brother’s home on Christmas Eve for a celebration. When he obtained house, he was very drained and went straight to mattress, which was out of character for him.

Paul performed soccer twice every week, went to his house fitness center day by day and frequently went out on his bike. For a number of months, Paul stored saying how drained he was. He put the fatigue right down to his busy life-style as he was balancing working full-time with elevating three kids.

He began to really feel bloated when consuming and couldn’t eat massive meals. He dismissed it as ‘an age’ factor and an indication that his metabolism was slowing down. 

Paul's signs worsened. His abdomen ache elevated, and his fatigue meant he was sleeping far more. He was beginning to eat much less, was reducing weight, and had began to really feel and be sick.

His spouse Sharon took him to A&E. After being assessed, the docs in A&E mentioned there was "nothing they could do" and advised Paul to go house and look forward to the appointments for additional assessments and the scan.

Over the following week, Paul’s situation declined additional. He tried to return to work however was discovering it troublesome as he was too unwell. Every week after attending A&E, when Paul didn’t get off the bed for work, Sharon contacted the GP and fought to get him admitted to hospital.

Paul was pushing himself to stroll and forcing himself to be cellular. The docs on the hospital initially couldn’t see how unwell he was.

Over the following 10 days in hospital, Paul deteriorated rapidly. Paul was discharged lower than two weeks after being admitted, in a wheelchair, barely in a position to stroll or speak, to await the end result of biopsy outcomes.

In April 2021, Paul was identified with pancreatic most cancers which had unfold to his liver. It was an aggressive most cancers, and sadly chemotherapy was not an choice.

Paul handed away on the eighth of May 2021, solely three weeks after analysis. His referral for the CT scan that the GP had requested didn't arrive till after he had handed away.

Sharon Bamford mentioned: “Our family is heartbroken and still learning to come to terms with life without Paul. My children are having to negotiate teenage life without their dad and best friend, and me, without my rock and soulmate. It’s such a devastating, cruel and painful disease.

“My hope is that by getting involved in Pancreatic Cancer Action’s new #MISSEDatChristmas fundraising campaign, other families won’t have to go through what we went through, and their loved ones won’t be missed at Christmas.”

Pancreatic Cancer Action is inviting individuals to donate and share a dedication to family members they’ve misplaced to pancreatic most cancers. Participants will obtain a particular purple coronary heart to show of their cherished one’s reminiscence this Christmas. All donations will assist PCA struggle for earlier analysis.

Pancreatic most cancers is the deadliest of all frequent cancers, with a 5-year survival price of lower than 8 p.c. Each yr round 10,500 individuals within the UK are identified with pancreatic most cancers. Around 26 individuals die from pancreatic most cancers each day within the UK. With early analysis, pancreatic most cancers could be survived.

Joe Kirwin, Chief Executive of Pancreatic Cancer Action, mentioned: “Our #MISSEDatChristmas campaign offers an opportunity for people to remember their loved ones lost to pancreatic cancer. We’ve had special purple hearts made for people to display in their memory, and we’re sending these out to everyone who supports the campaign.

“In the UK, around 26 people die every day from pancreatic cancer. For just £10, you could help us get patients and their families vital information and support. All the money raised will go towards fighting for earlier diagnosis to help ensure that more people aren’t missed at Christmas.”

Learn extra about Pancreatic Cancer Action’s #MISSEDatChristmas marketing campaign: https://pancreaticcanceraction.org/missedatchristmas/