Pancreatectomy
If your tumor is on the tail of your pancreas, you may have a distal pancreatectomy, which, unlike the Whipple procedure, does not rearrange the digestive system. Find out what these pancreatic cancer survivors have to say about their pancreatectomy experiences.
24 Articles
![Pancreatic cancer patient Margo Chilcott and her family](https://letswinpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Margo-Chilcott-and-family.jpg)
Making My Own Choices for Quality Time
After her pancreatectomy Margo Chilcott decided to forgo chemotherapy and radiation to spend more quality time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
![Pancreatic cancer survivor Kim Bate and his wife](https://letswinpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Kim-and-Nancy-Bate.jpg)
The Sound of Hope
Kim Bate has a long family history of pancreatic cancer, losing his sister and twin brother to it. Then he received the same diagnosis.
![](https://letswinpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ashley-Coker-template.jpg)
Don’t Throw In the Towel
Ashley Coker was dealt a double blow–pancreatic cancer and not qualifying for surgery. She did her research and ended up having a pancreatectomy.
![Maryanne Winchester](https://letswinpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Maryanne-Winchester.jpg)
Faith, Hope, and Perseverance
Maryanne Winchester credits faith, hope, and perseverance for getting her through three types of chemotherapy, radioembolization and a pancreatectomy.
![Acinar cell pancreatic cancer patient Paul Suntup](https://letswinpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Paul-Suntup-7.jpg)
A Long Journey That Began With Pancreatitis
Paul Suntup’s diagnosis of acinar cell pancreatic cancer was just the start of a long treatment journey, but he’s still here.
![Donna Robinson and family](https://letswinpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Donna-Robinson-and-Fam.jpg)
One of the Biggest Tumors They Had Ever Seen
Pancreatectomy surgery to remove her cancer was Donna Robinson’s goal, despite having one of the largest tumors her doctors had ever seen.
![Pancreatic cancer survivor Mike Emerson, his wife Carol and their dog](https://letswinpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Mike-Emerson-Carol-and-dog.jpg)
Blood Clots, a Stroke, and Pancreatic Cancer
Mike Emerson underwent a pancreatectomy followed by two years of chemotherapy and radiation but he’s enjoying life now.
![Grace and Jay Bozick and their horse](https://letswinpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Jay-and-Grace-Bozick-resized-v2.jpg)
Taking Chances to Beat Pancreatic Cancer
With a family history of pancreatic cancer, Jay Bozick discovered he carries the BRCA2 mutation, which directed his treatment.
![Pancreatic cancer patient Rod Devlin at Purple Stride](https://letswinpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Rod-Devlin-horiz.jpg)
Being Persistent Led to my Cancer Diagnosis
Rod Devlin wasn’t getting an answer to his pain but he was persistent until he finally found a doctor that would give him a scan.
![pancreatic cancer patient Michael Bailey](https://letswinpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Michael-Bailey.jpg)
How Could This Happen to Me?
Michael Bailey felt his world turn sideways after a diagnosis of acinar cell pancreatic cancer. He had a pancreatectomy and chemotherapy.
![pancreatic cancer patient Wayne and his family](https://letswinpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Wayne.jpg)
Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer
When Wayne was diagnosed with pancreatitis, the tests showed a very high likelihood of pancreatic cancer.
![pancreatic cancer patient Rita Krueger, her husband and dog](https://letswinpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rita-Krueger.jpg)
Choosing the Right Doctor
Rita Krueger made an important decision that changed her pancreatic cancer treatment when she got a second opinion.
![pancreatic cancer patient Anthony DelRusso](https://letswinpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Anthony-DelRusso.jpg)
Going Two Rounds Against Pancreatic Cancer
Anthony Del Russo has battled pancreatic cancer twice, first with chemo and a Whipple, and again with a total pancreatectomy and radiation.
![pancreatic cancer survivor Gene Waters, his wife, and granddaughter](https://letswinpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Gene-Waters.jpg)
Tonsil Cancer Follow-up Finds Pancreatic Cancer
Gene Waters was fortunate that a follow-up for tonsil cancer found his pancreatic cancer early. He got a second opinion for his treatment.
![pancreatic cancer patient Anthony Rafaniello and his grandsons](https://letswinpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Anthony-Rafaniello.jpg)
Diagnosed Early
Because Anthony Rafaniello had recurring pancreatitis, he paid close attention when he started to feel sick. The result: pancreatic cancer diagnosed early.
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