Maria

My story is about myself

The Discovery

I started getting pain off and on my left side of stomach. On the 3rd day of pain I went to hospital and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I have diabetes but never had a scan done because I never had pain and sugar levels were controlled with medicine. A CAT scan discovered my bilduct was closed so no medication was going into pancreas. I began treatment then pandemic came and I found myself getting extra chemotherapy due to hospital had stopped surgeries. Doctor said if I did not have additional chemotherapy or surgery I would die within a year. I proceeded to have more chemotherapy alone because no one can enter in hospital with me. When I finally was able to have surgery the whipple surgery I was alone again only communicating with family via phone. Everyday I am grateful that I survived and have a second chance to live a beautiful life. I think the worse feeling for a parent is to tell there child you have to make a will, like my father did for me.

The Impact of Time

I appreciate life more now. Early detection is key. I have changed physically and emotionally. I never cried during my treatment and had strong faith leading me thru. My first impression of the diagnosis was this is a hiccup in the road of life. I thank doctors at Miami Cancer institute in Miami, fl for their help and social work of the cancer support group that I still attend. My father was diagnosed with cancer exactly to the day a year after me that hurt me more then my own cancer.