This is the most common question I get. There is a good reason for this – no early detection system exists. The pancreas, a hidden body organ, is also a place where tumors can grow.
It’s often too late to stop it once it’s been detected. The statistics are horrifying for Stage 4 pancreatic carcinoma. Only 20% of patients survive beyond one year. Less than 3% of people live for five years. As I approach the anniversary of the 2nd year of diagnosis, I join the 6% gifted at this time. Terrifying!
I am focusing on the fact that pancreatic cancer incidence is rising, but the survival rate is also. The 5-year survival rate is based on those diagnosed five years ago. I am part of a group of people diagnosed more recently who are working together to create a higher survival rate.
My discovery story. As we live our lives through a series of novels, mine is unique and similar to most cancer patients.
I don’t fit the typical profile of someone who will develop diabetes: male, African American, diabetic, smoker. I don’t include any of the criteria.
I had no typical symptoms: pain (usually in my abdomen or back), jaundice or nausea, pancreatitis, or recently-onset diabetes.
I had vague symptoms I believed were due to the ongoing flu, such as fatigue, a change in stool, and a loss of appetite. I had a small ball-shaped lump near my collarbone that I reported to three doctors a year before diagnosis. They all said to notify them if the bump changed. It changed.
In 2017, I was given a discovery gift when I developed a fever lasting 24 hours just a few days before Thanksgiving. I recovered and was fine. It came back two weeks later, so I sought medical attention for this vague and never-ending flu-like crud. I told the Nurse Practitioner I had felt unwell for a while and that my ball-bearing bump was growing a twin.
She seemed to be feeling uneasy. She appeared to be worried about something. She asked me repeatedly if I felt any pain in my stomach. I answered no …. does it hurt? As she left the room for consultation, I felt the beginning of quiet tears. I knew that something was wrong.
The testing has begun – quickly!
A bile duct blockage was discovered by ultrasound. This blocked bile causes fevers and other symptoms such as lack of appetite and changes in the stool. It is not unusual for pancreatic cancer to cause a blocked bile canal. My pancreas was found to have a tumor by ct scanning. An x-ray showed a large number of small tumors in my lungs. The news was not good, and the cancer had spread.
My journey began. As it started, I was overwhelmed and terrified. Even today, I’m often still overwhelmed and terrified. I am still here. For that, I am thankful. I am grateful to everyone who has been on this journey with me. I’m incredibly thankful to my nurse practitioner, who listened and believed me. Every day, I plan my tomorrow. I hope to be there. By the grace of God, I’ve been able to do so.
