20-Year Pancreatic Cancer Survivor

During my early years of cancer treatment, I held onto the hope that I might be the exception—the one person who wouldn't lose their hair due to chemotherapy. Unfortunately, that hope was shattered when the hair loss began.

You asked, we answered! I am ecstatic to announce that my first digital cancer workshop is launching this September! I have joined forces with my dear friend, Tina Staley, a licensed clinical social worker, and cancer coach. Together we have created the Thrive with Cancer Workshop, a four-week life-changing, experiential workshop that will equip cancer patients with greater awareness, determination, and the best tools to help them thrive through their illness.

Throughout my pancreatic cancer treatment journey, communicating and staying connected to my medical team was crucial because pancreatic cancer was a subject I knew nothing about. I relied on my ability to do the things I could control. I feel that focusing on education/research, knowing my body, paying attention to how I felt emotionally, physically, and spiritually, respecting how information was conveyed to and from me, being my own advocate, using my voice, and comprehensive record keeping allowed me to eliminate the toxicity of negative interactions and create an environment for healing.

I was told to get my affairs in order; I had less than six months to live. I determined that I would not allow a pancreatic cancer diagnosis to beat me and fulfill the prediction. This month, I am celebrating sixteen years as a pancreatic cancer survivor. I have great love, gratitude, and awareness of how fortunate I am.

Everyday things I took for granted before my diagnosis, that were formerly performed with energy, enthusiasm and often with little effort, were now overwhelming. My road to recovery after discovering I had a pancreatic tumor was not a straightforward path; in fact, there was nothing encouraging about it at all. My mood was gloomy, and it was difficult to fathom that every day was going to be like the last, an unending, painful mere existence.

Most people desire to be independent, to manage life with a sense of control. Having a plan makes it seem we are approaching our goals and aspirations.

However, when I heard those devastating words, “I’m sorry, you have pancreatic cancer,” my world was suddenly full of vulnerability and uncertainty. I replied, in a cavalier way, “I do not. That’s a death sentence. You have the wrong file. Please get the right one.” I honestly thought my two-month-long backache was the result of an infection and could not fathom it was something so much more threatening.

A backache would forever change my life. I have shared my journey with pancreatic cancer on my website, and many of you know what an agonizing experience cancer can be. I was often asked, “How do you live when everyone says you are dying?” Pancreatic cancer is the world’s toughest cancer, with a five-year survival rate of just 10%. In the United States, it is the third most deadly cancer and about 70% of patients die within one year of diagnosis. To be given three months to live, as I was, is the last thing anyone wants to hear.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers with a five-year survival rate of just 10 percent. In the United States it is the third most deadly cancer, and approximately 70 percent of patients die within one year of diagnosis. We know early detection and prevention can change this.

In conversations about my cancer journey, I often reference silver linings. I was honored to interact with Tomma Hargraves and learn about the important work she is doing on behalf of cancer patients. Tomma is an inspiring trail blazer who survived stage 3 lung cancer 15 years ago. Meeting her was a silver lining and a gift for so many reasons! I can’t wait to share her story with you in just a few minutes!

What would you do with an extra hour each day?

What would you change if you knew you had months to live?

If you were to rewrite your story, what would be different?

I have been given the gift of time. On June 27, 2021, I will celebrate 15 years as a pancreatic cancer survivor. At the time of my diagnosis, 94% of those diagnosed died in the first 12 months. Today, the 5-year survival rate is an unacceptable 10%.

I honestly believe I am alive today because of a unique genetic make-up I possess and a doctor that thinks outside the box. This is not true for everyone. Pancreatic cancer is the 3rd deadliest cancer with no early detection markers. By the time symptoms appear, it is usually advanced. The 5-year survival rate is a mere 10%.

Genetic testing was never discussed with me by any doctor over the four years I was in treatment. Nor was this suggested in nine years following.

In overcoming pancreatic cancer, what comes to mind in how you dealt with the prognosis of a deadly cancer and months to live? Are there similarities to this current COVID situation?

The unthinkable happened.

On January 6, 2021, a violent attack occurred at the very core of our democracy. It was just one failure in a dizzying list that day — and during the weeks leading up to it — that resulted in the first occupation of the United States Capitol since British troops set the building ablaze during the War of 1812. But the death and destruction this time was caused by Americans. We were experiencing a new shade of human darkness.

Incredible acts of kindness were bestowed on my behalf recently by many of you and I can only now address this without tears in my eyes. You have touched every cell in my body, every core of my being. I am sharing this with you from my depth not my shadow.

My intention has been to write the next blog about my move to Dallas. This was a very traumatic experience filled with so many unknown variables, but I was able to turn lemons into lemonade. And, I will share this story with you as there are many lessons learned but as John Lennon said, “Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans.”

I was just diagnosed with endometrial cancer which is a type of cancer that begins in the uterus.

Human health does not come with a guarantee nor does our life expectancy. I did everything “right” in terms of diet, health and fitness. I practiced ultimate nutrition my entire life, diligent about health check-ups, never smoked and exercised 5 to 6 days a week for over 40 years. After years of treatment for pancreatic cancer and to be told I had 3 months to live, I asked my doctor what I could have done differently to not get this death sentence. His response, “Absolutely nothing.”

I am often asked if I have anxiety about results of scans, tests, and reoccurrence. Of course there are questions and concerns, but I can say with all sincerity, I am fairly calm and don’t dwell on this. I never play the “what if” game. I believe this is a result of the healthy denial I have often referred to. It is an astonishing mix of fragility and ferocity. I have the capability to eliminate this from my mind or at the very least, move it to the back burner.