Treatment Stories

There are many pancreatic cancer survivors who are eager to talk about their symptoms, diagnoses, treatments, and success. Learn from the stories of other patients who have faced this disease.

242 Articles

Ed O'Connor and family
Survivor Stories
January 14, 2020 • 5 Min

At a Crossroads for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Ed O’Connor has been getting chemotherapy for his pancreatic cancer since 2016. His disease is stable and he has to decide whether to cut back on the chemo.

pancreatic cancer survivor Jacqueline Sims-Mayes
Survivor Stories
December 18, 2019 • 6 Min

Blessed to Be Here and Healthy

Jacqueline Sims-Mayes is blessed to be a pancreatic cancer survivor. Her faith helped her through a difficult recovery from Whipple surgery.

pancreatic cancer survivor Tom Bajoras and his wife
Survivor Stories
December 5, 2019 • 7 Min

Where Sorrow and Joy Meet

Musician and producer Tom Bajoras has focused on the sorrow, joy, and beauty of life as he fights PNET with standard and new treatments.

pancreatic cancer patient Adam Deal
Survivor Stories
November 20, 2019 • 6 Min

Tumor RNA Testing Leads to Treatment with a New Drug

When treatment stopped working for Adam Deal, genetic testing of his tumor RNA found a mutation that made him eligible to try a new drug.

pancreatic cancer survivor Ken Vickers and his motorcycle
Survivor Stories
November 7, 2019 • 3 Min

Around to Enjoy the Simple Pleasures of Life

Ken Vickers is enjoying family, friends, and riding his Harley Davidson around the country after pancreatic cancer and a Whipple procedure.

long-term pancreatic cancer survivor Diane Borrison and family
Survivor Stories
October 25, 2019 • 3 Min

Thirteen Survival Years and Counting

Diane Borrison’s doctor consulted the experts at academic hospitals to choose a treatment plan including Whipple surgery.

pancreatic cancer patient Colin Gabriel
Survivor Stories
October 14, 2019 • 5 Min

Learning to Guide My Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

The more Colin Gabriel learned about pancreatic cancer, the more he realized he needed to guide his treatment, rather than go where his HMO recommended.

pancreatic cancer patient Brad Kerr
Survivor Stories
October 1, 2019 • 9 Min

A Second Opinion Leads to a New Treatment Plan

Brad Kerr changed his pancreatic cancer treatment plan after getting a second opinion, and had neoadjuvant chemotherapy before his Whipple.

pancreatic cancer patient Andrew Spiteri
Survivor Stories
September 18, 2019 • 11 Min

Pitching a Perfect Game Against Pancreatic Cancer

Andy Spiteri is a fantasy sports enthusiast, so he turned to his favorite activity to help him through pancreatic cancer treatment.

long-term pancreatic cancer survivor Margie Goldsmith
Survivor Stories
September 5, 2019 • 6 Min

Kicking Pancreatic Cancer’s Butt

When Margie Goldsmith was diagnosed with an IPMN she made it her goal to beat that pancreatic cancer. It took two more tries but she did it.

Survivor Stories
August 22, 2019 • 3 Min

I’ll Never Stop Fighting

When Lynne Holcomb was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer, she kept fighting through treatment and made it onto a clinical trial.

long-term survivor Tom Dinwiddie and his wife, and their pets
Survivor Stories
August 9, 2019 • 7 Min

After Surviving Pancreatic Cancer, a Moral Obligation to Share

Tom Dinwiddie knew he needed surgery to survive stage IV neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer; he got a new protocol of treatment before surgery.

long-term pancreatic cancer survivor Joel Evans and family
Survivor Stories
July 29, 2019 • 4 Min

Surviving Pancreatic Cancer and Embracing Life

Joel Evans’ endocrinologist was concerned so he sent him to get tested for pancreatic cancer. It was caught early enough for a Whipple procedure.

long-term pancreatic cancer survivor Chris Parrish
Survivor Stories
July 16, 2019 • 6 Min

My Journey Through Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer

When Chris Parrish was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer, she searched for a program and treatment plan until she found a place that gave her hope.

pancreatic cancer patient Cliff Ramos
Survivor Stories
July 2, 2019 • 4 Min

No Warning Before My Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis

Retired wrestling coach Cliff Ramos approached his chemotherapy and Whipple surgery for pancreatic cancer like he was still coaching.