36 Years and Counting

Donna Caparida

• Stomach pains led to diagnosis
• Surgery to remove most of the pancreas
• Complications later in life from diabetes

I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer over 36 years ago.

It started with bad pains on the left side of my stomach. They would come and they would go. Then it got worse as time went on—to the point where I was doubled over and had to lie down on my bed until the pain subsided.

I went to my doctor, who sent me to have an x-ray, which showed that my gallbladder had stopped functioning. But my doctor told me I had a mass on the left side of my stomach, and he wanted me to go meet Dr. Jeffrey Gutman, a brand new, up-and-coming (and most handsome) surgeon, who was new to San Jose Hospital, San Jose, California. When I met with Dr. Gutman he told me that I needed an ultrasound. He asked me where I hurt the most and I said the left-hand side of my stomach. I asked “Dr. Gutman, if it’s just my gallbladder, why do I need to do all this?”

I had the ultrasound and there were doctors and nurses around my hospital bed. They told me to lie right there while they called my doctor. Again, I asked why, if it’s just my gallbladder? I was really hungry and really grouchy so I got dressed to go eat. On my way down the hospital corridor I saw Dr. Gutman walking toward me. I asked him “Why do I need the ultrasound if it’s just my gallbladder?” He took hold of my hand and told me I have a tumor in my pancreas. I said “It’s benign, right?” He said “No, it’s malignant.” At this point tears filled my eyes. I said I need to go eat and he told me to come back after I ate, and to call my husband. A CT scan confirmed Dr. Gutman’s findings. I was diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma on August 16, 1989.

Straight to Surgery

Dr. Gutman took out about 90 percent of my pancreas.  For the whole week I was in the hospital. After the surgery, the tumor board voted twice that I did not need chemotherapy or radiation. That ended up working for me.   

During that time, everybody was waiting for me to turn out to be a diabetic but I didn’t. And every time I got my A1C checked my doctors were amazed. They told me I was a miracle. I am still here 36 years later, and I feel that I am truly a miracle!

Diabetes Came Later

I became diabetic in about 2013, which brought about so many complications. My husband was my Florence Nightingale. He took wonderful care of me. He prepped my meals and worked really close to home to keep an eye on me.  

A Longer Perspective

My advice to others is to keep hopeful and keep believing.  I am 71 now, and am living proof that we can make it through the toughest prognosis.  My faith is so important to me. I am so grateful, thankful, and blessed to be here! I believe that each day is a gift from God.