A Journey Through Diagnosis and Loss
Michael Armishaw’s story is a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of health and the emotional toll that serious illnesses can take on families. Initially, he believed his symptoms were due to a gallbladder attack, a condition caused by gallstones blocking bile ducts. His sister, Claire, recalled the initial confusion: “At first we thought it was just a stomach bug, gallstones or issues with his liver, which he has previously had trouble with. But after a couple of weeks, his symptoms got worse.”
The persistent pain led Michael to seek help at A&E in September, where doctors initially suspected gallstones but decided to run some tests to rule out more severe conditions. Instead of being sent home with pain medication or antibiotics, Michael received a devastating diagnosis—pancreatic cancer at just 43 years old.
“We were all in shock,” said Claire. “You’re not expecting to be diagnosed with cancer as he wasn’t really that old and he was devastated when he found out.” The family learned that the cancer was at its most advanced stage, having spread from its original site to distant organs or tissues. He was given a prognosis of 12 months.
Pancreatic cancer typically develops silently, with few clear warning signs, and is often only discovered once it has already spread. The most optimistic estimates suggest just 12 per cent of patients survive more than five years after diagnosis. For Michael, the diagnosis came just a year after his father passed away from lung cancer, which Claire described as another “blow to the system.”
She explained, “Michael felt guilty about getting cancer because of what we’d been through as a family. He kept apologising, saying he didn’t want us to go through it all again. But we, of course, told him it wasn’t his fault and we loved him.”
Facing the Challenges of Treatment
What followed was six gruelling rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Unfortunately, Michael’s body did not respond to the treatment, and the disease spread to his liver and lymph nodes. By November, the cancer had reached his brain, leaving him with a very poor prognosis.
Then, on April 18, he suffered a seizure, which left him bedbound and unable to speak. He was placed in end-of-life care and died surrounded by family in the hospital a week later, on April 26.
“We’re devastated by losing both Michael and my father in such a short space of time,” said Claire. “Our mum is housebound too and she’s really struggling to come to terms with these two huge losses. It just really knocks you back and I’m still in shock, I think.”
Understanding Pancreatic Cancer
In the UK, pancreatic cancer is the tenth most common cancer, with around 11,500 new cases every year. Although nearly half of cases occur in the over-75s, there is growing evidence that rates may be rising in younger people. The most aggressive form, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, is driving this increase. Experts say part of this may reflect better detection of smaller tumours.
The NHS lists symptoms of pancreatic cancer, including jaundice, loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to, feeling tired or having no energy, a high temperature, or feeling hot, cold or shivery. Other symptoms include feeling or being sick, diarrhoea or constipation, pain at the top part of your tummy and your back, as well as symptoms of indigestion, such as feeling bloated.
A Family’s Struggle and Fundraising Efforts
Claire is now fundraising for her brother’s funeral costs after previously struggling with their father’s recent funeral and Michael’s treatment costs. She added, “We want to give Michael the send-off he deserves. I am worrying about the inevitable cost and where it’s going to come from. He didn’t realise how much we all loved him so I’m hoping in death he certainly does now.”
