Survivor Stories
556 articles
Reimagining the Possible: A 20-Year Survivor of Pancreatic Cancer
Marisa is a 20-year survivor of stage IV pancreatic cancer as of Spring 2018. She focused on those who defied the odds, and now she is thriving.
Understanding Family History Makes a Difference in Treatment Options
Elizabeth Pršić describes her mother Andrea’s pancreatic cancer treatment. Andrea has the BRCA2 mutation, which helps determine the plan.
Your Survival Depends on Taking Control of What You Can
Sharon Orleans Lawrence outlines her search for stage IV pancreatic cancer treatment. She chooses low-dose chemotherapy, which made her life comfortable.
My BRCA2 Mutation Turned Out to Be Both the Curse and the Cure
Sharon Seibel knew she had the BRCA2 mutation but was unaware of the link to pancreatic cancer. Her chemotherapy was one for BRCA carriers.
Fighting to Win
Melissa Kartasevich’s fiance and daughter motivate her pancreatic cancer battle, as she fights it to reach her goal of surgery to remove the tumor.
The Importance of Clinical Trials
Judith Goldring outlines her treatments for pancreatic cancer using a series of clinical trials, as her cancer progresses.
The Impact of BRCA Is Broader Than Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Rona Greenberg discusses the impact of BRCA2 on her family, and her search for the best clinical trial for her needs after her pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
Buying Time for Another Clinical Trial
Richard Valdes has alternated standard pancreatic cancer treatments with clinical trials of immunotherapy and a pancreatic vaccine during his treatment.
Education, Clinical Trials, and Advocacy
Pat Theobald lost her mother to pancreatic cancer, so when she received the same diagnosis she knew to start treatment with a clinical trial.
Finding a Treatment Geared to My Cancer
Samuel Chi describes his search for a pancreatic cancer treatment that allows him to live comfortably and reduce his tumor so he can have surgery.
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.
A Big Teaching Hospital Can Make All the Difference
When Bob Tirk’s local doctor couldn’t figure out the source of his pain, he went to a large teaching hospital, where he was treated for pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic Cancer Leads to a New Direction
After Sheila Sky Kasselman recovered from pancreatic cancer treatment, she became a pancreatic cancer activist, determined to help find more treatments.
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.
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.