Survivor Stories

Read about the treatment experiences of pancreatic cancer survivors, including what worked, the doctors or facilities they worked with, and more.

392 Articles

pancreatic cancer patient Marla Schreffler, an older woman with short brown hair wearing a collared shirt under a brown sweater, with glasses and a hand on her face.
Survivor Stories
May 29, 2026 • 4 Min

Trusting My Gut

Marla Schreffler had a feeling something was wrong, even after she got her diabetes diagnosis. Further tests confirmed that she had pancreatic cancer.

A smiling blond woman in a loose dark shirt standing outdoors
Caregivers
May 22, 2026 • 4 Min

Courageous Conversations—Mastering Patient–Caregiver Communication

Clinical psychologist Stephanie Davidson provides caregivers and patients with techniques to master difficult conversations during treatment.

A woman in a printed jacket and a ball cap undergoing chemotherapy with a brown fluffy dog on her lap.
Survivor Stories
May 12, 2026 • 3 Min

Always Looking on the Bright Side of Life

Patti Dille believes in looking on the bright side of things, even as she takes on ampullary cancer and its treatments.

The Luna family sitting outdoors at a restaurant in cooler weather because everyone is wearing jackets, with her son, a woman, Roberta (a blonde woman), her husband (an older man), her other son, and a young woman.
Survivor Stories
May 6, 2026 • 1 Min

My Reason

Long-term survivor Roberta Luna knew the devastation of pancreatic cancer when she was diagnosed, but was determined to survive, unlike her father, uncle and grandmother.

Left, nurse navigator Patricia Gambino in glasses, pearls, and a navy suit; right, social worker Lauren Shaffer, with blond hair and a white top
Caregivers
April 24, 2026 • 4 Min

How to Communicate with Medical Experts When You’re the Caregiver

Nurse navigator Patricia Gambino and social worker Lauren Shaffer share communication strategies for caregivers working with medical experts.

Elizabeth Rountree in a white shirt and her husband, a bald man in a plaid shirt, sitting at a restaurant table with food.
Survivor Stories
April 20, 2026 • 3 Min

From Dismissal to Diagnosis

Elizabeth Rountree’s first doctor dismissed her symptoms of itchiness and abdominal discomfort, but her gastroenterologist listened and ordered important tests.

PNET patient Katie DeCarlo, a woman with short dark hair in a golden shirt with a cat laying on her
Survivor Stories
April 8, 2026 • 9 Min

(Currently) Incurable, (Continuously) Fighting

Katie DeCarlo is continuously fighting her PNET. She is determined to try and will continue to try as many types of treatment as possible

A bald man undergoing cancer treatment being cared for by his wife.
Caregivers
April 1, 2026 • 5 Min

Seven Tips to Navigate the Caregiver Learning Curve

Brooke Dwars learned quickly to manage her husband’s care. Nurse navigator Patricia Gambino and social worker Lauren Shaffer provide other tips for a caregiver.

Wendy Hammers and her husband, a bald man with sunglasses in a dark shirt, and a woman with curly gray hair in a white sleeveless top.
Survivor Videos
March 26, 2026 • 1 Min

Dancing on the Other Side of the Fire

After a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, long-term survivor Wendy Hammers decided her only option was to get better.

a family of four--mother, two young boys, and a father all in ballcaps, at a baseball stadium
Survivor Stories
March 20, 2026 • 4 Min

My Surgery Revealed a Different Cancer Story

Douglas Cordova was originally diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, but tests after his Whipple found PNET instead.

An African-American woman in a purple ballcap and purple sweatshirt and jeans, sitting by a fireplace
Survivor Stories
March 10, 2026 • 3 Min

Two Years, Two Diagnoses, Two Chemotherapies, and Two Doctors

Jeanne Jeffries struggled with pain, digestive problems, and itchy skin for two years before getting diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer.

Three women, one in a green dress, the center one in a red top, and the right one in an orange and red printed dress.
Chemotherapy and Radiation
February 26, 2026 • 2 Min

An Immunotherapy Oddball

Aurora Salo’s treatment has been full of starts and stops, with exploratory surgery, chemo that stopped working, and immunotherapy.

Long term survivor Susan Ganis, far left, and family. Blond woman in blue shirt and jeans holding a little girl in pink, next to a gray haired bearded man in gray and black, next to a younger blond woman in a white shirt and jeans holding another little girl, and a tall young man in a patterned shirt and jeans, against a bright blue background.
Survivor Stories
February 19, 2026 • 1 Min

The Small Moments Bring Us Joy

Susan Ganis thought she had a gall stone or a kidney stone but there was a tumor on her pancreas.

Pancreatic cancer survivor Guy Van Ort in an orange jacket and turquoise ball cap in front of a windmill
Survivor Stories
February 9, 2026 • 3 Min

Today I Am Cancer-Free

Guy Van Ort was shocked to find out that his hip pain was stage IV pancreatic cancer in his hip, but treatment has made him cancer-free.

Pancreatic cancer survivor Wendy Kistela
Survivor Stories
January 28, 2026 • 3 Min

Catching It Early and Moving Fast

Wendy Kistela moved quickly when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and had a distal pancreatectomy right away.

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