My Story is about My mum: Rosa Mari

 

This event took place from 1 November 2019 to 22 December 2019

 

The Discovery

My mum pancreatic cancer was discovered on November 2019. She went to the primary care center for abdominal pain. She was diagnosed with kidney stones and underwent treatment. However, the pain persisted. They took her from one doctor to another, many tests but no clear diagnosis. In the end, he began to have tenths of a fever and then they did a CT scan where they saw a tumor in the ovaries.

The following days, he went to speak with the oncologist and they saw that the cancer was not of the ovaries, but of the pancreas, but that there was metastasis in the ovaries, intestines, and lungs. This diagnosis was devastating.

My mother, on the other hand, accepted it from the first moment. There was no option to do any treatment because it was useless. They gave her 6 months at the most. That same week, a thrombus appeared in her leg and she had to be admitted. A week after being admitted, she died at the age of 55.

To all this, we were very unhappy with the medical care. My mother suffered a loss of weight 2 years ago but they did not do many tests, the least. She also had pancreatitis when she was young. They also did not take it into account when she complained of back pain.

These symptoms are overlooked today. That is why it is so important to raise awareness and inform people about this deadly type of cancer. For my mother it was late, but I hope that in a few years, this will help other people to be saved.

 

This is My Story

When images of her come to me in the hospital, I try to look at this photo and move back to that day. She was so happy watching her favorite music group … I was so happy seeing her happy! I hope one day I can meet you again. I love you mum.

 

The Impact of Time

The value of time is the most important thing. My mum died in a month since it was detected. My sisters and I didn’t have time to accept his illness. The role of early detection in my story was the most important thing. She had the symptoms years ago. If she would have been cared for by trained professionals, perhaps the cancer could have been treated, although it is a very deadly cancer.

From this day, I try to live day per day, but the society is not made for this… I appreciate all the time I spent with my mum, even when she was at the hospital with palliative treatment.

One of the things I said to my mother when she was recently diagnosed was that: “we still have many things to see and experience.” But she knew deep down that it wasn’t going to be like this.

Time is treasure.

 

My Story is about John

 

This event took place from 24 May 2014 to 25 September 2014

 

The Discovery

It was discovered because of a trip to the ER for continous heartburn that had been going on for about 2 months

 

This is My Story

My fiancé, my daughter’s dad, only 43 years old, was diagnosed memorial day weekend 2014 and passed only 4 months later. He was diagnosed stage 4, metastasized to stomach and liver.

At first they thought it might be liver cancer and never would I wish for someone to have cancer but I was really hoping it was liver because I already knew the outcome for pancreatic cancer. He went in every 2 weeks for chemo. I believe it was about 6 hours that he had to sit in the treatment center then he had to wear a chemo pump for almost 2 days after that. Out of the 2 weeks he was lucky to get 2 really good days where he would want to get out of the house, eat, go outside, do anything but lay in bed or on the couch.

So much changed so quickly. Up until then he didn’t have the weight loss typically associated with pancreatic cancer. He didn’t have any of the typical, more well known signs. The only things that could be considered out of place was lack of energy and persistent heartburn. Well he was in his early 40’s, loss of energy happens right? About 2 months earlier we had tacos for dinner and we used fresh jalapeà±os (which we never did) so heartburn happens right? He didn’t mention to me it had been pretty much continuous for a few weeks. He waited until memorial day weekend to go to the ER because he didn’t want to interrupt the last couple of weeks of the school year. I think he knew something was really wrong but didn’t let on to me about any of it.

Our daughter was only 6 at the time and I felt bad having to go to work leaving them to basically take care of each other for the whole summer. Mid September came around and he noticed his stomach was looking bloated. We went to the hospital and they drained the fluid off. Two days later the fluid started building up again so that landed him in the hospital. The first couple of days was ok until the doctor came in and told us that despite the chemo treatments the cancer had spread to the abdominal wall. They could try a different chemo to try and keep that cancer at bay but he refused. Who could blame him? I certainly couldn’t. Seeing him go from the person he was to the person he had become was awful.

He spent his last 10 days in the hospital. He passed at 4am September 25th. I should have expected nothing less from the man I had been with for over 10 years, who enjoyed his weekend bonfires and beers and typically would not come in until the wee hours of the morning. We will never forget him. I will never let our daughter forget him. He will forever be missed by those he left behind.

The Impact of Time

You truly don’t realize how short time is until you find out you don’t have much left. Knowing that the time left won’t even be quality time because of the attempted treatment is even worse.

 

My Story is about My daddy

 

This event took place from 1 June 2014 to 13 May 2015

 

The Discovery

June 1, 2014 my healthy 53 year old daddy had his first pain. At the ED, we heard the words that changed our lives forever “a mass on your pancreas.” The hospital took a biopsy and didn’t get any positive cells so they said they had mistakenly diagnosed this and it was pancreatitis. They sent him home with suggestions on how to prevent flair ups. In the 3 months after that, he was in pain on and off and we went to a bigger more specialized hospital where they did multiple ERCPs and a total of 7 tests before getting a positive cell. My boyfriend at the time walked into my parents house to ask for my hand in marriage about 5 minutes after the doctor called him to deliver the news of the positive cells.

 

This is My Story

We traveled 2 hours away where in September 2014, he had the Whipple and vein resection done. The surgeon told us there was a 90% chance he would not make it. When this news was told to my dad, his response was I have a 10% chance. I can do this. A few weeks later, I got engaged and I knew I wanted to quickly get married because of his diagnosis. We got married in November 2014 and in the 2 months from my dads surgery to my wedding day, he lost so much weight and began to look so weak. March 2015, the ascites started and my dad started going to the hospital twice a week to get it drained. We knew this was bad but we didn’t give up fighting for him and with him. April 2015, he had blood in his stool and he went back to the hospital where the admitted him and eventually sent him home on hospice. A former college football player, 54 years old now on his death bed. We watched him waste away into nothing but bones. My brother, my mom, my husband, and I spent everyday soaking up every moment we could with him. On May 13, 2015 my daddy peacefully passed away with my mom, my brother, the hospice nurse, and myself by his side. I found out I was pregnant 2 weeks later and my daughter which would have been my dads first grandchild was born exactly 8 months after he passed. My brother is now married to my dads hospice nurse. Losing my dad at 24 years old shifted my life in a way I will never recover from. Pancreatic cancer took the strongest man I have ever known and if my story can help 1 person, I will be fulfilled in my life. Advocate for your loved ones, educate others on this awful disease!

 

The Impact of Time

I know now just how important time is. I am always wishing for just one more moment. Time is so important.

 

My Story is about my mother Galina.

 

The Discovery

It was diagnosed when she was taken to hospital and operated on. She lived for about 5 months.

 

This is My Story

My mother had a hard life and just when life could have been a little easier for her Pancreatic Cancer took her life. I was 21 and had a Downs Syndrome sister who was now my responsibility. I basically looked after my mother at home, taking time off work. It was a horrible, sad time and I was with her when she took her last breath. I was devastated. I have since been petrified that I also would get Pancreatic Cancer because of the hereditary factor. I have thought about having a genome test but have not done this. I follow all the scientific studies and as I have been a volunteer with The Garvan Institute of Medical Research I am pleased that they are doing a lot of research. It changed my life.

 

The Impact of Time

It was a late diagnosis after an exploratory operation and time ran out very quickly. The ‘Gift’ was taken away from my mother. She died in 1969 at age 64.

 

My Story is about going beyond the diagnosis

 

This is My Story

A pancreatic cancer diagnosis impacts an individual, their family, their friends and loved ones. At the time of diagnosis, it can feel like the world stops. This diagnosis can change a person’s pace of life quickly, and it is often up to a person’s internal dialogue and external support system to find strength and tenacity. A diagnosis can be a turning point to redefine one’s life and what it looks like to live with cancer.

After a diagnosis, it can be easy to forget what came before. There is “before” and “after,” and whatever brought joy “before” may start to look different. The WPCC mission, to drive transformational change for all those affected by pancreatic cancer, empowers and educates a community for patients and families in the fight against this disease. Novocure is grateful to partner with the Coalition and work collaboratively to raise global awareness of pancreatic cancer and support each other’s efforts.

With gratitude for the patients we serve, we come together as individuals, many who have known and loved someone impacted by a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

We do this work in loving memory of Stanley K., beloved brother, dad, uncle and grandpa; we honor the memory of Paul Z., a dear friend and mentor.

Patients- unique individuals- with cancer remain at the heart of the work we do every day, and patient feedback helps refine our scientific approach. The health and lives of patients, their caregivers, and their families guide us forward in the fight against pancreatic cancer.

Learn more about the PANOVA-3 clinical trial.