Making My Own Choices for Quality Time

Margo Chilcott

• Pain and digestive troubles lead to diagnosis
• Surgery removes part of my pancreas and my spleen
• Choosing not to have chemotherapy and radiation
• Emotional support and faith

My name is Margo Chilcott and I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at 79 years old.  It was like a slap in the face.

I had been very active before the diagnosis. It was early 2022 and I was entering the 35th year of teaching Catechism at my church. I walked about three miles a day and cared for one of my great-grandsons. I did all my shopping and cleaning by myself.

Suddenly, I couldn’t eat salads or greasy food. I thought I had an ulcer, so I switched my diet. Then, the right side of my lower back started to hurt very badly. My doctor said that my gallbladder looked funny. He said to wait three months and come back for a recheck.

But the pain didn’t go away. By May 2022 the pain had gotten more severe and I started to lose weight. My daughter said I should go to the ER. She took me to Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Clinton Township, Michigan. There was a lot of testing, x-rays, and scans, but they treated me well. About four hours later, the young doctor came in with tears in his eyes and told me I had pancreatic cancer.

He stayed with me until my daughter returned to the room. I just froze. I couldn’t believe what he had said.

Making My Own Decisions

I was admitted to the hospital for more tests and a biopsy. It turned out to be stage II pancreatic adenocarcinoma. A treatment plan was already in the making. At first, I agreed to undergo surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

But as I lay in my hospital bed, speaking with others about my treatment and thinking of those who undergo chemo and radiation, I changed my mind. I no longer wanted chemo or radiation. I only wanted to have the surgery.

I am very independent and I wanted to stay that way. At my age, I didn’t want to go through the complications of chemotherapy. I wanted to be with my great-grandchildren. 

My family and I had many conversations with Dr. David Kwon at Henry Ford Cancer  in Detroit. He said for life to go on it would mean a complete plan of chemo, radiation, and surgery. But I wanted quality of life over constant care. He listened to all I had to say. He advised me that surgery without chemo and radiation was not the best thing to do if I wanted to extend my lifetime. The cancer could return if I did not do the chemo too. He also said that I might only have 18-24 months to live with the surgery alone. The chances of the cancer returning were at a higher risk. He did, however, promise to be my advocate if I chose to have only the surgery.  

Everyone Was Supportive

I took my time questioning the doctors, nurses, and others going through the chemo. I also prayed every day and every night and in between for the right guidance. In the end, I chose to have surgery without chemo and radiation. I wanted to live the rest of my life doing what I love. Everyone was supportive of my decision. 

My doctors were true to their word. They have been there for me from the day I had my distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy in August of 2022 and every day afterward. 

After the surgery, I stayed in the hospital for about five days. Then I came home and took it easy for a while. I was back to teaching in October. I have been spending time with other seniors, playing cards, and playing with my three great-grandchildren. I’m waiting for the fourth great-grandchild in October of 2024. It’s a boy!  God has been very good to me. 

Words to Live By

I have always followed the words my mother told me: If you get up, clean up, and look good, you will feel good, too. My parents said to reach for the stars and have faith in God. I get up each morning, do my hair, get dressed, go for a walk, exercise, and pray.   I have tried to keep a good diet even though it can be difficult for me to eat. 

I have done plenty of research on pancreatic cancer. There are new things for patients coming every day. My advice to others is to read, listen, pray, and talk to your doctors and family. The decision on how to be treated is yours to make. It’s not easy, but you can do it. Never give up!