25
results found
Survivor
Survivor Story: Jennifer Peelman
Two years ago, my life abruptly stopped when a visit to the ER for suspected food poisoning resulted in a week long hospital visit because a tumor was found on my pancreas. I had been working in oncology research for five years at that point and was fortunate enough to be able to have a trusted colleague and friend become my own personal oncologist. I was diagnosed with a rare neuroendocrine tumor and surgery was the only option for me. I had surgery in December 2007 to remove half of my pancreas and all of the local lymph nodes. My...
Survivor Story: Tyler Noesen
When I was 25 years old, I was working hard and trying to live life to the fullest. I had recently been promoted at work and between 60 hour work weeks, my girlfriend, now wife, and I would get out of town every chance we could. Everything was going to plan, my life was playing out just how I had...
Survivor Story: Chris Calaprice
Hello my name is Chris Calaprice. I am a six year survivor! I am 42 years old and have survived recurrent pancreatic cancer since 2003. Like many other people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, I am not old, nor an excessive drinker. We understand little about the causes of this disease or it’s prevention. This can change with your help. I have lived a full life- a life of backpacking, multi-hundred mile bicycle tours, service in the US Army Rangers, rock climbing, sailing, crossing oceans, diving wrecks. I have a loving marriage, and...
Survivor Story: Laurie MacCaskill
Since I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006 at age 55, I have been fortunate to have had some wonderful resources available to help me through my journey with the disease. My husband, Paul, continues to be an enormous supporter in every sense of the word: his wit, wisdom, strength, love and courage have sustained me, and he has always been there for me both as a caregiver and my best friend. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network also served as a tremendous source of support for me. Soon after my diagnosis, I learned about the organization...
Survivor Story: Tammy Andries
My story is one of hope and one of success. However, my story starts out like so many others.Although I had no risk factors and no symptoms, I was told at the age of 39 that I had been diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer. In fact, of the 37,000 people diagnosed with the disease that year, only about 2,500 would be diagnosed with my kind: a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, or islet-cell tumor.I was one of the lucky ones: my 8-centimeter mass, which was the size of a grapefruit, was operable. My doctor performed the Whipple...
Survivor Story: Roberta Luna
In May of 1998, as we were getting ready to attend our son's graduation from the University of California at Berkeley, it should have been one of the happiest times of life for our family. Instead, it was overshadowed by the knowledge that my father was going to die soon from pancreatic cancer. Like many people, I had never heard of pancreatic cancer until Michael Landon revealed his diagnosis. Since I grew up watching Bonanza, I had a deep crush on Little Joe, and I felt great sorrow upon hearing the news of his illness. However, I did not understand...
Survivor Story: Sandra Baulkmon Martin
In June of 2000, I received shocking news. My doctor walked into my hospital room and calmly told me that I had pancreatic cancer and surgery needed to be performed as soon as possible. He also pointed out that I had jaundice, which explained why the white portions of my eyes were yellow. I remember staring at him in disbelief. I thought, "Oh no, I can't have the big C. Not me!"My mother passed away from breast cancer in 1994 and all those memories came rushing back all at once. For the next day or so, I drifted through a kaleidoscope of emotions:...
Survivor Story: Kim Duhart
In 1999, at the age of 41, I began a journey that has been the most difficult of my life -- but also the greatest blessing. In April of 1999, after more than a year of recurring flu-like symptoms, abdominal pain and diarrhea, I developed itching over my entire body. My doctor believed I had gallstones and ordered an ultrasound in preparation for surgery. We were both shocked when the ultrasound showed that I did not have gall stones, but, rather, I had a tumor on my pancreas. On June 3, 1999 I underwent a Whipple procedure to remove a 4 centimeter tumor. The...
Survivor Story: Kate Thaxton
I thought I was becoming a hypochondriac: indigestion, constipation, mysterious aches. My symptoms changed on a daily, if not hourly, basis. I was uncomfortable, but never in pain. I'll never forget the horrible feeling that washed over me as soon as I scheduled the appointment. I left the doctor's office with a prescription for an antacid and instructions that if the medicine didn't help that I should have an ultrasound. Well, the medicine didn't work and it wasn't long before a new word entered my vocabulary: adenocarcinoma. Actually, I've learned a...
Survivor Story: Jeffrey Ross
My name is Jeffrey and 5 years ago on July 1, 2003, I was diagnosed, after 12 hours of surgery with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. I was given 6 to 9 months to live, and even the first oncologist I met with said radiation might extend my life to one year, maximum…definitely a challenge at the very least. My sweet and devoted wife Sally and I embarked on a journey…one that so many of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's clients begin and unfortunately face every day. It was a search for answers, for reasons, for reality and for life. ...
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