Fleeting, Fragile, and Funny

Eric Egelman

• Bloodwork for a routine colonoscopy led to diagnosis
• Chemotherapy before and after surgery
• Robotic-assisted Whipple procedure
• Vaccine clinical trial

On August 14, 2023, I received the shock of a lifetime: I was diagnosed with stage IIb pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

In the weeks leading up to the diagnosis, I experienced fatigue and sudden weight loss. Not just a little weight loss . . . a full 30 pounds. I had a routine colonoscopy, and the related bloodwork showed elevated liver enzymes. 

My doctor ordered more bloodwork, a CT, and an MRCP (magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography). That’s when I got the diagnosis.

Treatment and a Clinical Trial

I began treatment at Northwell Health in Lake Success, New York, with  oncologist Dr. Anna Levy. Dr. Kara Raphael inserted a bile duct stent right away. I then started neoadjuvant chemotherapy with FOLFIRINOX.  

Once I completed my chemotherapy, Dr. Gary Deutsch (now with NYU Langone on Long Island) performed a robotic-assisted Whipple procedure. After my surgery my diagnosis was changed to stage III because the pathology report noted 10 positive lymph nodes. When I recovered from the surgery, I had adjuvant chemotherapy with FOLFIRINOX.

During treatment, Dr. Levy recommended genetic testing and molecular profiling of my tumor. It turns out that I have the KRAS G12R mutation. This qualified me to join a clinical trial run by Dr. Daniel King at Northwell, for a vaccine that targets cancers tied to the KRAS mutation. The trial was sponsored by Elicio Therapeutics. There were few side effects to the drug trial, aside from mild local reaction to the injection sites.

Since My Diagnosis

It has been two years since my diagnosis, and I am alive (and active!). My Signatera™ molecular residual disease (MRD) tests and CT scans continue to show no evidence of recurrent disease post-diagnosis.

I have traveled extensively to Europe, Mexico, and throughout the U.S. I am a retired podiatrist, and work part-time as a tour guide in New York City. I have been spending more time with family and friends—their support greatly helped me through this difficult time. I take nothing for granted. I’ve learned that life is fleeting, fragile, and funny.

Fake It Till You Make It!

My oncologist Dr. Levy didn’t just provide me with expert care, good advice, and up-to-date information, she knew how the medical system worked and saw to it that my tests and treatments were expedited. Because of the high recurrence rate of this cancer, I knew from the start that I would seek a clinical trial after surgery. I joked and stayed optimistic throughout my treatment, even though I often didn’t feel this way on the inside. My philosophy: fake it till you make it!

Pancreatic cancer treatment is a rollercoaster of highs and lows, progress and setbacks. I thought I had just weeks to live on three separate occasions due to lesions found in my liver, lungs, and lymph nodes, but thankfully none of them were the result of metastasis after further testing.

Recent advancements in cancer therapies are improving survival rates dramatically. Those studies are based on people with this disease five or more years ago. Don’t get discouraged!