Eighteen years ago, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, one of the toughest malignancies to treat.
I am fortunate to be a long-term survivor of such a difficult-to-beat cancer, but I am also proof that where there is life, there is hope.
Poor odds do not automatically mean your cancer is unbeatable. There are steps you can take to better your outcome.
I was filled with fear at the time of my diagnosis, but also with a desire to live as treatment neared and I had not fulfilled my life goals.
Going to your primary care physician at the first sign of an abnormality is key.
It will help you get referred to a specialist if needed to determine whether there is a malignancy and what course of treatment may be recommended.
Getting a second opinion is also advisable if there is a question as to exactly what course of treatment is best or if the problem itself is not well-defined.
Also, make sure your medical insurance covers the providers and the facilities you want to use for your treatment. If there is a situation where they are not “in network,” ask for an exception for coverage. Out-of-network care can be very costly to pay out-of-pocket.
Dr. Andrew Warshaw, surgeon-in-chief and chairman emeritus of the department of surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, was my doctor at the time I was diagnosed.
He suggested that I elect to have an aggressive operation called a Whipple procedure where part of the pancreas is removed and other organs are re-routed.
The hope was that this procedure would improve my chances toward a five-year survival.
Was I scared? Yes, of course, not wanting my life to be cut short, wanting to have the opportunity to see my children grow and to possibly see them get married and have families.
It helped that I did not feel sick at the time and I decided, despite my difficult diagnosis and my fears around it, that I was going to dwell on living not dying.
I was ready mentally when it was time for surgery.
Just before the anesthesiologist put me “under” I silently yelled to myself the word “LIVE” and vowed to myself to do everything possible to get through my cancer treatment with a positive attitude.
The surgery was a success in terms of what it needed to accomplish and after nine days I was discharged from hospital and sent home with a few drains still in me.
My son, Scott, served as my mentor and hero, as he had survived a life-threatening sarcoma of his lung about 10 years earlier. He had put one foot in front of the other and had made it, so why couldn’t I do that too?
I was in some pain, but I could see a future for myself.
It was summer at the time and I was able to stay active by riding my mountain bike at night when it was cool.
In the very beginning I set short-time horizons for myself: First an event that was one month ahead and then maybe another two months ahead. As I made it past two months, I then thought of something to look forward to that was three or four months into the future.
After six weeks I started both chemotherapy and radiation. I had a good support system to get me through that rather challenging period because of the side effects that usually occur.
By winter 2003 I was thinking again of my passion, skiing.
I decided that I would go skiing every month for the next year someplace where there was good snow. So, I skied in Vermont, Utah, British Columbia, and even Chile.
I was known on occasion to report for an appointment at Mass General in my ski clothes – fresh from that “last run” on the slopes.
Several personal supports have helped in my “medical misadventure” with cancer.
Having a positive attitude has been important and having a loving family has been incredibly essential.
I would watch TV reruns early in my recovery of Coach Jim Valvano (“Jimmy V”), who established his own foundation for cancer research before his death, giving his legendary acceptance speech for the ESPY award in 1993 where he kept repeating, “Don’t ever give up, don’t ever give up.”
I would also watch reruns of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey Team win against Russia in the last seconds of the semifinals that put them on track for the gold medal with announcer Al Michaels saying, “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”
I wanted to be that miracle!
I will never forget how happy my medical oncologist at Mass General, Dr. David Ryan, was when I got past the five-year period of time.
I feel that getting as much exercise as possible is important to staying healthy as is being hydrated and eating good food. Even if food isn't that appetizing after cancer treatment, it's important to try to eat well to keep one’s energy level up. I consumed a lot of nutritional energy drinks post treatment.
Going to a cancer support group can help, too, as can seeing a therapist.
In 2015, I spoke at a symposium for doctors and survivors at Mass General Hospital that dealt with pancreatic cancer. I have also done a short video as a thank you to my surgeon and my wife and enjoy communicating with, and offering support to, other survivors of pancreatic cancer as well as being interviewed about my survival to inform others.
I also have a little "advice" for friends and acquaintances of cancer survivors.
It can be tough to know what to say to someone with cancer in terms of caution or hope, and the temptation might be to avoid an encounter.
Don’t.
I suggest that you just ask the person, "How are you doing today?" and see where the conversation takes you.
I am aware every day of having beat the odds against long-term survival with pancreatic cancer.
It is my hope continued research will result in earlier detection and better treatment for this and other cancers so more patients will have longer survival rates as well.
Allen H. Grosnick lives in Longmeadow with his family. His most recent ski trip was to Chile.
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Long-term pancreatic cancer survivor shares his journey of hope - masslive.com
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