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.

222 Articles

John Moisan, pancreatic cancer patient
Survivor Stories
March 20, 2018 • 5 Min

A Routine Physical Saved My Life

John Moisan’s doctor noticed he had lost weight, and insisted he get an abdominal CT scan. They found a pancreatic tumor and he had a pancreatectomy.

Pancreatic cancer survivor Nancy Nebenzahl and her husband, daughters plus one son-in-law, and four grandchildren, outside on a lawn
Survivor Stories
March 7, 2018 • 3 Min

Thriving After Surviving Pancreatic Cancer

Nancy Nebenzahl, a sever-year survivor of pancreatic cancer, had a Whipple and a personalized treatment plan. She supplemented this with acupuncture and exercise to ease the side effects.

Yolanda L. Jackson pancreatic cancer survivor
Survivor Stories
February 19, 2018 • 3 Min

Keeping My Promise Led to an Earlier Diagnosis

Yolanda L. Jackson promised her doctor she would get a CT scan of her digestive tract. This led to an early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer patient Mike Levine is on his bicycle during a training session for the Ironman Triathlon.
Survivor Stories
February 6, 2018 • 3 Min

Chemotherapy to Survive; Fitness to Thrive

Mike Levine switched oncologists to find chemotherapy that works on his pancreatic cancer. After that he was able to compete in the Ironman Triathlon.

Pancreatic cancer survivor Leonora Kaufmann
Survivor Stories
January 19, 2018 • 3 Min

Don’t Stop Fighting

Leonora Kaufmann relied on her instinct about pancreatic cancer. Diagnosis at stage I has given her a fighting chance of survival.

Camille Moses, pancreatic cancer survivor, prepares to ride her bike as part of the Miami Dolphins Cancer Challenge
Survivor Stories
January 8, 2018 • 4 Min

Changing Doctors Changed My Prognosis

When Camille Moses was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she realized she needed a doctor with an attitude that she could beat the disease.

pancreatic cancer patient Judith Glaser
Survivor Stories
December 21, 2017 • 5 Min

Using the Energy Around Me to Help Me Heal

Judith Glaser’s genetic mutation influenced her chemotherapy and radiation treatments, supported by the healing energy of friends.

Pancreatic cancer patient Lee Wonnacott on his motorcycle
Survivor Stories
December 8, 2017 • 5 Min

Quality of Life and Following My Dream

Lee Wonnacott valued his quality of life when he chose treatment for IPMN. Now he rides his motorcycle around the country to honor veterans.

pancreatic cancer long-term survivor Rosemary Buden
Survivor Stories
November 27, 2017 • 2 Min

Very Fortunate to Have the Whipple

Six years after surgery to remove an IPMN neoplasm, Rosemary Buden found out she had pancreatic cancer and needed a Whipple procedure.

Close up of three purple flowers with yellow centers
Survivor Stories
November 10, 2017 • 5 Min

Advocating For My Own Future

Kay Kays is a long-term survivor of pancreatic cancer who has learned to advocate for herself to get the treatments she needs.

Pancreatic cancer patient Rachel Santmyer-Flores and her daughter
Survivor Stories
October 30, 2017 • 3 Min

Take the Time to Consider Your Options

Rachel Santmyer-Flores decided to look at her options before choosing a clinical trial of PEGPH20 for her pancreatic cancer treatment.

Pancreatic canc er survivor Carolynn Kiel
Survivor Stories
October 17, 2017 • 3 Min

Early Detection Makes All the Difference

Carolynn Kiel lost her mother and sister to pancreatic cancer. Regular screening allowed early detection of her pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer survivor Joel Weiss and his wife Debrah
Survivor Stories
October 4, 2017 • 5 Min

Luck, Grit, and Support

Joel Weiss had to travel from his home in Toronto to New York City to get the NanoKnife treatment he wanted for his pancreatic cancer.

Linda Milazzo and her daughter
Survivor Stories
September 21, 2017 • 3 Min

Always Looking for a Cure

Linda Milazzo had a couple of bouts of pancreatitis before being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Read about her treatment path.

pancreatic cancer patient Scott Hirshey on his sailboat
Survivor Stories
September 8, 2017 • 4 Min

Celebrating My 5th Anniversary As a Survivor

Scott Hirshey traveled from Detroit to Houston for a Whipple procedure to work with doctors who have expertise in treating pancreatic cancer.