An Edinburgh woman has received the devastating news that she has just weeks to live after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Danielle Connor, 33, from Mountcastle, began suffering from a sore back and abdominal pain back in January 2023 but after she raised these concerns to her doctor they advised that she was potentially suffering from indigestion or IBS like symptoms.
On January 23, she phoned her doctor to complain that she did not feel right and that she was having to constantly go to the toilet and had lost her appetite.
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Again doctors said that she could have food poisoning or a stomach ulcer and to just try to rest at home. But three days later she started to experience jaundice so doctors sent her immediately to the hospital. She would stay for 11 nights while a variety of tests were carried out.
Hospital staff discovered that she had a cyst on her pancreas and that a biopsy would have to be conducted to find out the severity of the issue.
Unfortunately, after tests were carried out Danielle was given the devastating news that the cyst was cancerous.
Her best friend Nicola MacDonald, 30, has said that Danielle’s husband Rob Connor, her stepson Spencer and her mum and dad were all heartbroken when they heard the news.
“I remember when she phoned me to tell me it was a tumour and it might be cancerous," Nicola said.
“She got discharged but was given a cocktail of tablets everyday to take and to see how things progressed.
“Two weeks later she had a consultation at the Western General, myself, Rob and her mum and dad all went along for support, but she was told that she had stage three pancreatic cancer.
“It was advised that she would go through the strongest chemo treatment that she could deal with - the NHS were great and threw everything at her.
“They said in the Western that Danielle was the youngest person they had diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and that they normally see it in older people.
“Sadly Danielle could only withstand two rounds of chemo as she had become so unwell and ended up with an infection and an abscess on her liver that required draining.
“In mid-April she was sent home with antibiotics after they managed to drain the abscess but she began to feel really tired and lethargic.
“Doctors had already given her several blood transfusions due to the chemo treatment but they explored whether it would help to have another as her white blood cell count was also very high.
“Over those two months she suffered from a high temperature and a high heart rate - she just never had a break from it, it was constant.
“She underwent a CT scan three weeks ago and that is when she was told that the tumour had grown and that the abscess had returned double the size.
“Danielle could not continue with chemo as she did not have the strength in her body but on May 2 her oncologist told us that her cancer was terminal and that her time now is precious.
“There was not anything they could do to save her and so she went back home on Wednesday 3 from hospital to receive palliative care surrounded by her family.”
Nicola says that it has been an extremely difficult time for Danielle’s husband and her stepson Spencer, eight, and that her mum and dad, who had only recently moved to East Calder to be closer to their only child, were absolutely shattered.
Danielle had set up an Instagram to share her journey and to raise awareness around pancreatic cancer and how her symptoms at first were not taken seriously.
She hopes to motivate others to pursue health check ups if they experience similar symptoms.
“There are no words that you can say to explain it and although everyone has got in touch to support Danielle which is amazing - there is nothing that anyone can say that takes away the pain”, Nicola added.
“We are heartbroken, we are devastated. She is an only child and her only child is her stepson Spencer who she absolutely adores. Danielle is trying to make the best of the time she has left and enjoy seeing those she loves.
“She never got a break through the whole thing and was constantly unwell and never got a week or two to rest or recuperate. The NHS have been amazing trying to help but again she never had any good news and just devastation.
“You can see on her Instagram that there are hundreds giving their support to her, every single person that knows Danielle would say she lived life to the fullest. She is so caring and will speak to everyone and anyone. She is a big Hibs fan and is a season ticket holder with her dad.
“Danielle loves to travel and she and Rob are so happy. They got married December 31 in Vegas with her mum and dad there. She adores Spencer and Rob and she is just so loving. She also loves her springer spaniel and going on walks with them.
“I would say that anyone that knows her genuinely loves her, she is always smiling and laughing, talking at a hundred miles an hour. Danielle is so outgoing and could start a conversation with anyone. She is just such an amazing person who would do anything for you.”
Lindsay Spencer, who is Rob’s ex-partner and mother to Spencer, says that following the news of Danielle’s diagnosis, Spencer wanted to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer and that he would be running in a child's event at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival to do so.
“It was very difficult explaining to Spencer what was happening as he is young and has never experienced anything like this and he is devastated," Lindsay said.
“We are all really close and have a good relationship and it is sad thinking about what Spencer’s life would have been with Rob and Danielle as they have such a lovely family unit. It is so sad to feel that it will be lost.”
Spencer will be fundraising along with 15 or so of Danielle’s close family and friends who are hoping to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer UK by completing various events at the EMF.
All of the funds will be combined and donated as a tribute to Danielle’s life - you can support Spencer’s fundraiser here and Danielle’s here.
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