From Pancreatic Cancer to Blessed

Linda Burchett

• Initial diagnosis of pancreatitis led to finding a tumor
• Mesenteric vein was compromised
• Chemo + Whipple + more chemo
• Diagnosed with diabetes as a result of pancreatic cancer

A lunch of ribeye steak led to my pancreatic cancer diagnosis in late 2013. 

That night I had severe indigestion. The pain quickly spread to my back. My husband took me to the ER at Sentara CarePlex Hospital in Hampton, Virginia, where I was initially diagnosed with pancreatitis. But after a scan, they referred me to the Pancreatic Program within the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. After an endoscopic ultrasound I received my official diagnosis: stage III pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

The Official Diagnosis

After I was diagnosed, I met my surgical oncologist Dr. Brian Kaplan (now at NYU Langone in New York). We scheduled a Whipple procedure for a few weeks after that. However, I was called back to Massey for a scan with contrast. It turned out that my mesenteric vein was 80 percent compromised. I needed to have chemotherapy before I could have the surgery.

Dr. Kaplan asked if I wanted to start my chemo in Hampton or Richmond. We were living in Hampton, so I said Hampton. He set up an appointment with Dr. Scott Kruger and I started aggressive chemo every two weeks for three months. It shrank the tumor enough for the surgery. We added a vascular surgeon to my team and, finally, I had my Whipple procedure in mid-May 2014.

Too High or Too Low

After I recovered from the surgery, I started daily chemo again, to be followed by four weeks of radiation. My chemo was supposed to be for four weeks but it lasted almost three months because my numbers were either too high or too low! My blood pressure would drop, which would mean a trip back to the ER to get it regulated. I was sick all of the time. I could not eat.  My weight dropped from 170 to 107 pounds. I was dying of malnutrition! Thankfully, Dr. Kaplan had put in a feeding tube during my Whipple surgery. The feeding tube and a prescription for Megace helped me finally eat again.

While I was undergoing chemo and radiation, I had weekly reiki sessions to get a more holistic experience.

What Comes After Treatment?

Since ending my treatment in 2014, I have continued to have follow-up scans and annual visits with Dr. Kruger. I was prescribed Creon for digestion and Lyrica for neuropathy in my hands and feet. I was recently diagnosed with diabetes as a result of pancreatic cancer. Even still, I have an excellent quality of life with the meds that I regularly take.

After my treatment was complete, I would frequently go back to the infusion center as a survivor to build relationships with cancer patients, mainly the pancreatic cancer patients. I make myself available for phone calls, even while travelling, to encourage others, pray with them, answer questions, or just listen.

Cruising Through Life

I was optimistic and ever faithful that I would make it through this journey. Thankfully, I am now ten years clear and am living a blessed life. My husband and I are travelling the world together.  We’ve been to Israel, Spain, Portugal, Prague, Budapest. We’ve taken about 25 cruises, five trips to Alaska, four trips to tour the west, 30-day trips to the South Pacific, 30-day trips to Australia and New Zealand, numerous trips to New York City, winters in the Caribbean and Florida Keys, Disney trips, and so much more.

My husband and I also celebrated 56 years of marriage. We are active in our church and participate in PanCAN’s PurpleStride each year to raise money for pancreatic cancer awareness and research. We have one daughter and a grandson who was born the day after my first clear scan (October 2014). We relocated back to Richmond a couple of years ago to be closer to our family. I live a joy-filled life and am thankful for each day.

As you can tell, we are very close to our family. We travel together and we celebrate life together. My care team was made up of my wonderful husband, our daughter, my husband’s sisters, our church friends, and our extended family, all of whom constantly prayed for me. The great doctors, nurses, hospital staff, and especially God completed that team. I’m feeling great and so so thankful. I continue to be one blessed gal!!

Watch Linda tell her story in “The Encourager.”