Share Your Story. Who's Your Hero?

Everyone has a story when it comes to fighting pancreatic cancer.  Share yours with us and connect with others in Colorado at the same time.  Post a response here on the blog or visit our Facebook page to share your hero's story.   

 

Hero Stories from the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

http://www.knowitfightitendit.org/other

There are heroes everywhere. A doctor who found the disease early enough to treat it. A family member or friend who found the information to help someone make informed decisions. A caregiver who provided support through the darkest hours. A patient determined to beat the odds. Family and friends carrying on in the fight to build awareness for the disease that took their loved one's life.

We see the strength and power of people in the fight against pancreatic cancer in the everyday action they take—heroic action. We share these stories below. They come from survivors, volunteers and advocates who share them with us. These stories encourage us every single day to make a difference in the fight against pancreatic cancer. You can read them below and you can share your own story with us. Click here to "Share your hero story" and tell us about the heroes in your life.

Be a hero in the fight against pancreatic cancer: Know it. Fight it. End it.  

HERO STORY: MY SON

By Sandy Mueller

My son was diagnosed in July 2008. He was just approaching his 21st birthday. He underwent the whipple procedure. He is my hero. The doctors went in with a positive attitude which in turn has given him a positive attitude. It's a year later and he's cancer free. At his young age he wants to lead by example to make a difference for other people diagnosed even if the outcome may not be the same. I love him so much as he is my hero. I hope we will have more years together. It is was a hard journey, but having him here every day we can make the fight worth it.

 

MY HERO: MY DOG, ZEUS

By Rick Asbridge

 Hi. My name is Rick and I'm a pancreatic cancer survivor and have been free of cancer since Sept., 2007 when I underwent the Whipple procedure. The day I was diagnosed, was the most terrifying day of my life. I served in the military for 21 years and was attached to a SPECWAR unit and nothing I experienced in the military compared to that day. Read More »

 

HERO STORY: MY MOM

By Katie Scarborough

 When we received my mom’s Stage IV pancreatic cancer diagnosis in June 2010 all of our family and friends were completely shocked..  For one, my mom is a young and healthy person and has always lived a healthy lifestyle.  And two, my dad had just finished cancer treatment 6 months prior. We had already been through the grueling scans, doctor appointments, weekly chemo treatments and daily radiation treatments, so how on earth could we be facing this horrible disease again, so soon?  I still don’t understand it, but it is what it is. Read More »

 

HERO STORY: MY DAD

By Renee Barlow

 On February 27, 2009 my Dad was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. Being a very close family, we were devastated but we were determined to spend the rest of his life enjoying our time with him. Our entire family left for St. Pete Beach for Spring Break on March 20 and enjoyed almost a whole week with him until he was admitted to the hospital on March 26...he passed away on April 4. He was 59 years old. I hope that we can get more funding for this dreadful disease so that other families won't have to feel the pain that my family has felt. Know it. Fight it. End it.

 

HERO STORY: MY HUSBAND, MY KIDS

By Beth Larson-Steckler

My son (9), daughter (12) and husband all have hereditary pancreatitis. My husband developed stage III pancreas cancer due to this. He was only 47 when he was diagnosed. He is my hero. I pray that attention will be brought to this disease. Right now my husband is fighting very hard to remain with us. I also have to worry about my son who has a 50% chance of getting pancreas cancer due to having hereditary pancreatitis and his father having pancreas cancer. Read More »

 

HERO STORY: MY HUSBAND

By Linda Mallatt

My husband Steve was diagnosed with metastasized pancreatic cancer on Nov.25, 2009 and passed away on May 22,2010. He was, and always will be my hero. We were married over 39 years and ran a business together for 34 years. It was very devastating to both of us to hear he had this horrible disease. He went through all the rounds of chemo and nothing seemed to be working. Read More »

 

HERO STORY: MY DAD

By Katie Larsen

In January 2005, my dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It was devastating news to myself, my 2 siblings and my mom - his wife of (at the time) 31 years. We watched as the cancer slowly started taking over his body: he itched everywhere, his jaundice was overwhelming, and the pain he was experiencing was to the point where he could not move. We went to a group of doctors at a local University who told us to begin planning for my dad's funeral. Read More »

 

HERO STORY: MY DADDY

By Patrice Warren

My hero, My daddy Patrick Jones Sr. was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just before Father's Day in 2008. His short battle with cancer ended on November 8, 2008, two weeks after his 54th Birthday. He was a true definition of a hero. During his entire battle he never allowed his children see him cry. We knew when he was in pain but he did his best to make sure we "BELIEVED" he was just fine although we knew he wasn't. With his passing nearing two years I believe it's time for me to continue my grieving process by joining the pancreatic cancer awareness movement. I know he would be proud. I love and miss my Dad more than words can express ... May he Rest in paradise.

 

HERO STORY: MY MOM

By Katelyn Witsell

In August of 2009 my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, I was with her when we got the horrible phone call. As soon as she hung up she told me I'm going to be OKAY I am going to fight this until the end, and that is what she did. She had the Whipple surgery in September 2009 and did fantastic, went through chemo and radiation without any hiccups until the beginning of March 2010. Read More »

 

HERO STORY: MY BROTHER

By Joan Hammer-Kauffman

My story began in February of the year 2009, when my little brother, my only brother, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. For months we were lead to believe there was a cure for this; to only have him die in October 2009. Why I ask myself, why??? This is/was a very ugly form of cancer and I really don’t want to experience it again and my heart goes out to all who have lost someone, or who is suffering, or who has survived this. I just needed to share this with your because I am still having a hard time dealing with this. My brother also loved Patrick Swayze so much. Thank you and God Bless Us All.

 

HERO STORY: MY HUSBAND

By Barbara Chastain

In October, 2009, my husband (the love of my life, my inspiration, my best friend for fifteen years) was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was a big man and was a fighter and fought till the end. As I read your book about your husband, it was like reading about my husband. Unfortunately, Jim's was in stage 4 and had already gone to his liver. Read More »

HERO STORY: MICHAEL (AND JR.)

By Michael Dunagan

I was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in March 2004.  March 27, 2004 I underwent the Whipple procedure, followed by radiation and chemo-therapy. After completion of chemo in November 2004, I deployed to Iraq as an embedded military contractor in January 2005. I deployed again in January 2006. It has been over 6 years and I continue to work as a military contractor. Read More » 

 

HERO STORY: MY MOM

By Greg Chastain

My hero was my mother Barbara Byrd. She left us on April 13, 2009 after a brave 6 month fight with pancreatic cancer at the age of 75. During those six months I learned so much about my mother’s spirit and love of her family and life. The strength and dignity that she displayed during her fight and her sheer desire to keep on living was so very inspirational. She woke up every day and we would research all kinds of web sites to try and find the right treatment to get her through another day and keep her hope and faith alive. Read More » 

 

HERO STORY: MY MOTHER

By Rose Ann Harrigan

 I was 20 years old, when my mother's mother, dear Grandma Flora, had become jaundiced. I first learned about pancreatic cancer when she was diagnosed in June of 1981. After palliative surgery, she lived for six months, three of which were comfortable, the last three being more difficult. Read More »

 

HERO STORY: JOE

By Joe Candler

 I was told Dec 28, 2004 that I had pancreatic cancer. As the New Year arrived, I was sure that would be the last I would see. After various tests, it was revealed that my cancer was inoperable since the tumor had invaded my portal vein. It was determined that I would undergo 30 radiation treatments along with oral chemo. Read More »

 

HERO STORY: MY MOM

By Lezlie Micheletti

From March 2008 through November 2008 my mom was seeing doctors to try and find out what was causing the nagging pain in the upper left side of her abdomen that got only worse and not better. She was diagnosed with urinary tract infection and shingles all of which weren't it and the medications only made her worse. Her fear was cancer. Read More »

HERO STORY: MY FATHER

By Jennifer Ortolani-Tavernaro

 On September 6, 2008, my life shattered into a millions pieces with the diagnosis of my father's stage IV Pancreatic Cancer. The weight of this still crushes down on me today; almost two years later. My father was the life force of our family. He was everything to his five kids, fourteen grandkids, and four great grandkids. He gave us air to breath, songs to sing, and life to savor yet he was taken away in a blink of an eye. Our compass faltered and we found ourselves faced with a course that we could not conquer. How could that be? Read More »

 

HERO STORY: MY WIFE

By Doug Gallagher

After suffering 13 months my wife passed away from pancreatic cancer (PC) on Cinco de Mayo 2010 (5th of May)...she was 55 years old. She was the finest person I ever knew. Watching her die from this disease was the most horrible experience of my life. I believe the best chance of combating PC is through early detection.

 

HERO STORY: MY DAD

By Nicole Bell

My father, best friend and hero was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer June of this year. The air was sucked out of my life and that of my entire family when we heard the news. We were blessed when he was able to have the Whipple procedure and now are currently undergoing treatments. Read More »

HERO STORY: MY SISTER

By Kathy Thomas

My sister was very vibrant and very productive. She saw a doctor in 2008 for some pain in her lower back and some abdominal pain; she was told it was pancreatitis. In late 2008 she had a cat-scan done, which showed nothing, everything looked good. She was put on some medication. In July of 2009 she began to notice her weight go up and down and she had fatigue. Read More »

 

HERO STORY: 32 YEAR-OLD STRANGER

By Taryn Jones

 I have just gotten off the phone with a young man, a man who never told me his name, a man who is just 32 years old, the same age as me, a man who is embarking on what will become the hardest journey he has ever travelled on, the most arduous fight of his life. He will be faced with choices and decisions that most 32 year olds, just like me, would not likely have to ponder and I felt the need to write this letter with HOPE that someone, even just one person may read it and feel the need to “Pay it Forward”, as they say by sharing my story. Read More »

 

HERO STORY: KYRA

By Kyra Ridgell

I was a 50 year mother of 3 sons and in good physical condition when I started to itch excessively. After a few days I noticed that my eyes were yellow and I felt that I needed to see a doctor. After an ultrasound it was discovered that there was a mass on my pancreas. When it was confirmed that it was cancer I was unusually calm. All I could think about was the fact that I wasn't ready to leave my husband and three sons, ages 16, 17 and 18. My first course of action was to enlist my friends to pray. I then had radiation and took chemo in pill form. Following that I had the Whipple procedure and then another bout of chemo. I finished my chemo in July 2010. I am now cancer free and back to living a normal life. I thank God for my doctors and all the support staff that were there to help me along the way. Life is truly a blessing and I don't take it for granted.

HERO STORY: MY DAD

By Meagan Wiley

My dad was diagnosed in July of 2008. He is still fighting with all his might. He is my hero. The doctors did not have much hope for his survival. It was inoperable and had spread to his lymph nodes. They did not give him much time. Read More »