Stories

I AM A STATISTIC OF ONE. I AM A SURVIVOR.

That's what I tell myself daily, because if you know what "they" say, then it's too easy to give up. In four days, I will celebrate my three-year survivorship!

In October 2006, at age 40, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Like my friend who is also a pancreatic cancer survivor, I've never been one to abuse my body. I didn’t smoke. I drank little, if any, alcohol. There is no history of pancreatic cancer in my family. I had no "standard" risk factors. I ate well, loved my veggies, and exercised religiously.

My diagnosis nearly crippled me. There were ten days between my diagnosis & the Whipple surgery; ten days to get my affairs in order – the will, the dog, and telling my friends & family, most from out-of-state. There is no greater nightmare than preparing loved ones for the possibility of one's own death, no greater pain than seeing your mortality reflected in their eyes. Don't get me wrong, I was HOPEFUL. I am just a realist.

During those ten days I also read a lot, researched much, prepped meals for recovery, and leaned on the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. My medical team was proactive, supportive and sometimes indulgent, and they still are. This has been, and continues to be, one of the most intense journeys of my life, as it is likely to always be.

My biggest struggle is the one between my ears. But, I am ME. I am vertical, topside of the soil. I am ever-hopeful, stronger than I realized, determined to do whatever is necessary to reach my 80th birthday – eat a healthy diet with mega-supplements, exercise, meditate, find happiness in every moment. I will reach AT LEAST my 80th. Nothing less will do. Thanks, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network!!