The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) links me with other survivors and PurpleStride.  It also connected me with clinical trials. I was just accepted onto one at a high-volume institution in Pennsylvania, which will get me off my current chemotherapy regimen.  I will be four years post-Whipple surgery on August 8, 2018.

I have an interesting perspective on the disease, since I am a board certified General & Plastic surgeon. I fought depression by returning to work two months post-surgery and retired only last year at age 79.  I will be 80 on July 11, 2018. I was on the same chemotherapy for three years and switched four months ago because of new metastases that appeared in November 2017.

I fight to stay healthy with diet, exercise (with a trainer), and keep a positive attitude. Support from family and friends is essential, and knowing PanCAN is there for me is a big help.  My daughter, Debbie, has a team that marches in the PurpleStride every year since my diagnosis and I participate in my hometown PurpleStride in Oklahoma City when possible.  Thanks for all you do for pancreatic cancer survivors at all stages of the disease.

Contact a Patient Central Associate
If you have any questions about pancreatic cancer, contact Patient Central for free in-depth disease information and resources, including a personalized clinical trial search. To learn more about PurpleStride, the walk to end pancreatic cancer, and to find an event in your area, visit www.purplestride.org.