11:56, 23 Nov 2025<\/p>\n
![\"Michelle](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2_Michelle-OPrey.jpg\")
Michelle O\u2019Prey is sharing her powerful story after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this summer<\/p>\n
A mother has warned others to ‘listen to your body’ after on-and-off pain was actually revealed to be cancer. Michelle O\u2019Prey, 46, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer<\/a> in August, but claims the symptoms started as far back as a year ago.<\/p>\n Michelle, who lives in Belfast, underwent surgery at the end of September and will begin chemotherapy soon – but it has been a tough journey for her husband Gavin and their children Cara, aged six and Rory, aged three. It started in 2024 with intermittent pain in her upper abdomen.<\/p>\n Speaking to Belfast Live Michelle said<\/a>: “The pain would disappear and then come back a few days later. I just thought, well, that is fine, don\u2019t worry about it. The diagnosis came as quite a shock to me.<\/p>\n “I had some symptoms, but I did not think it would be anything serious like pancreatic cancer<\/a>.”<\/p>\n The pain returned months later and Michelle visited her doctor, saying: ” The GP examined me but did not find anything unusual<\/a>. I had no other symptoms then, so they discussed possible reflux or even stress.<\/p>\n “I was given medication and when the pain settled, I thought nothing more of it.”<\/p>\n However things got worse in August when the pain reared its head again, this time with further symptoms: ” This time it was more severe. It was radiating into my back<\/a>, my urine had become darker and I felt nauseous.<\/p>\n “When I went back to the GP, she noticed tenderness in my abdomen and thought the whites of my eyes looked yellow. She advised me to go to the Emergency Department that day.”<\/p>\n At the Ulster Hospital, blood tests and a CT scan revealed the devastating news, a tumour in the head of her pancreas. Michelle said: “It was a total shock as I really did not have a lot of symptoms. But I was told it had been caught early, it had not spread and that it was potentially treatable with surgery followed by chemotherapy<\/a>.”<\/p>\n Michelle underwent surgery just weeks later: “It was a five-hour operation. I am now seven weeks post-surgery and very much still recovering.<\/p>\n “I know I still have chemotherapy to go, but I am hopeful. I feel grateful and lucky that this was found early enough to treat.”<\/p>\n Expressing heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the Ulster Hospital, she added: “The staff have been fantastic. The nurses were so lovely and caring. I cannot sing their praises highly enough.<\/p>\n “The doctors came to see me every day and kept me informed about everything. I felt so well looked after.”<\/p>\n Recently, Michelle says she has been feeling well enough to enjoy precious moments with her family again: “In the last week or so, the nausea has eased and I have been able to get out and about. I even managed to attend an event at my son\u2019s preschool, which meant so much to me.”<\/p>\n Macmillan Upper GI Nurse Specialist in the South Eastern Trust, Joanne Flynn, emphasised the importance of raising awareness about the symptoms of pancreatic cancer. She said: “Pancreatic cancer is a cancer of the Upper GI Tract and unfortunately, survival rates can be low.<\/p>\n![\"Michelle,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2_Michelle-Gavin-and-Rory-at-pre-school-event.jpg\")
Michelle, Gavin and Rory at a pre-school event<\/p>\n![\"Michelle](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1_Michelle-OPrey-with-her-beloved-cat-Jasper.jpg\")
Michelle with her beloved cat, Jasper<\/p>\n