Pancreatic most cancers survivor Tamara Holmes turned to PanCAN’s Tales of Hope as she navigated her personal journey. They confirmed her that she wasn’t alone and that there are different survivors on the market. Now, she shares her expertise to proceed to present again to the neighborhood and assist others dealing with this prognosis.
I’ll always remember the evening of December 29, 2020. After months of belly ache each time I ate, I went to an pressing care clinic determined for a solution. When a health care provider determined to do a CT scan to test my pancreas, I used to be surprised to listen to her inform me the scan recognized a lesion on my pancreas they usually believed it was most cancers. The thought that saved going by way of my thoughts that evening: I’m solely 48. Will I make it to see 49?
The biopsy was not definitive, but the medical doctors felt sure that it was stage 3 pancreatic most cancers. No matter it was, it had not unfold however it was located over an artery. The plan was to make use of chemotherapy to hopefully shrink it off of the artery so I may have a Whipple surgical procedure. The chemo shrunk it, however it didn’t shrink it sufficient. The chemo was adopted up by radiation, however as soon as once more, it didn’t shrink off of the artery sufficient for my medical doctors to really feel snug working. The plan my medical doctors had for me at that time was merely to proceed to take upkeep chemo, and when it unfold, I’d qualify for a scientific trial. In different phrases, there was nothing extra they may do.
It was round this time {that a} Story of Hope I learn on PanCAN’s web site actually saved my life. A survivor was recounting his story, and like me, he had been instructed by his medical doctors that they may not function except they may shrink his tumor off of the artery. Identical to in my case, the therapy didn’t shrink it sufficient. However this survivor didn’t cease there. He shared in his story how he had discovered a surgeon in one other a part of the nation who would do the surgical procedure. He traveled to that physician, had the Whipple surgical procedure and reclaimed his life.
Discovering a Surgeon
After studying the guy survivor’s story, I knew that I needed to attempt to do the identical factor. I researched till I discovered the Mayo Clinic, the place relying on the state of affairs they are able to do Whipple surgical procedures even when an artery is concerned. I known as, made an appointment and flew there to see if they may assist me.
Finally, they may – and did – assist me. I had surgical procedure on April 19, 2022, and the surgeon eliminated my whole pancreas, my spleen, my gallbladder and a part of my abdomen. No most cancers was discovered after they did the pathology, and in my particular state of affairs I didn’t must endure anymore therapy after surgical procedure.
The aftermath of the surgical procedure was extraordinarily difficult as my physique struggled to adapt to my newly reconfigured digestive system. I misplaced about 50 kilos and I spent a month within the hospital as a result of my physique wasn’t absorbing sufficient to present me the vitamins that I wanted. I even needed to have a feeding tube inserted in my physique, which I saved for about 9 months. Nonetheless, over time, issues received higher. The feeding tube was eliminated and I started to get stronger.
That’s to not say that my life isn’t with out challenges. As a result of I’ve no pancreas, I’m now diabetic and depending on insulin. For the remainder of my life, I might want to take enzymes at any time when I eat to assist with the digestion that my pancreas used to do. I’ll all the time have to observe my vitamin and electrolyte ranges to ensure I’m getting the diet that I would like. With no spleen, I’ll all the time have to remain updated on my vaccinations as a result of my immune system is compromised. And I’m nonetheless engaged on gaining weight, which typically appears to be an elusive purpose.
However I can dwell with all of that.
As we speak, I’m rebuilding my life. I’ve been flying out to Mayo Clinic each three months for surveillance. I have fun every time the CT scan exhibits nothing. In April, it is going to be two years post-surgery and I’ll have surveillance each six months as an alternative of three.
Classes Realized
One of many greatest classes I realized from this journey: Search for medical doctors and surgeons who’re pancreatic most cancers specialists, as they see sufferers with the sort of most cancers commonly. And by no means be afraid to hunt a second opinion.
I additionally realized the significance of studying different survivors’ tales. The information about pancreatic most cancers is so grim and it may be straightforward to imagine there isn’t a hope within the face of a pancreatic most cancers prognosis. Nonetheless, discovering that Story of Hope that day confirmed me that folks do survive pancreatic most cancers. I used to be additionally impressed to remain constructive when a pal who’s a surgeon instructed me, “There are individuals who survive this. Why can’t you?”
Curiously, I used to be additionally on Fb in the future after I was going by way of therapy and I got here throughout a publish the place most cancers survivors have been encouraging somebody who had been newly recognized. Two girls posted that they have been pancreatic most cancers survivors. I messaged them each on Fb and communicated with them they usually inspired me. Once more, it bolstered for me the concept that this could possibly be survivable.
I hope my story can present somebody that there are individuals who survive pancreatic most cancers, so that they shouldn’t hand over.
I’m grateful for my medical staff and I’m grateful to be alive. Not solely did I make it to see 49, however I lately turned 51 and I’m not simply surviving, I’m thriving.
PanCAN recommends consulting with a pancreatic most cancers specialist. PanCAN doesn’t suggest or endorse any explicit doctor or establishment talked about in constituent tales and weblog posts.