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119: Four times Kay Kays survived pancreatic cancer | whipple procedure | pacreatectomy | gemcitabine
Kay Kays of Sun City, Arizona survived four diagnoses of pancreatic cancer between 1994 and 2008. Her specific diagnosis was pancreatic cyst mucinous adenocarcinoma, a rare form of pancreatic cancer. There was no chemotherapy specifically for pancreatic cancer, but did qualify for a Whipple procedure, a reconstruction of the digestive system, following her first diagnosis. Her final diagnosis was preceded by a spot on her right lung and the surgical removal of the lung. Incredibly, Kay can still engage in hiking, she can deal with being the high altitudes that come with being an air passenger, and she finds time to help others diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
In 1994, Kay, an avid hiker and tennis player, suddenly found herself feeling extremely tired. She ended up in a hospital’s emergency department. That’s where a mass on her pancreas was detected, and she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Kay went in for a Whipple procedure. It involved an incision made across her chest and stomach. After the procedure, Kay said she had to carry about a dishpan for about two weeks because she could not keep any food down, but a few weeks after that, her digestive system returned to normal. Her life came close to returning to normal, as well.
That changed in 1999. A CT scan was run and revealed the cancer had returned to her pancreas. This time Kay underwent a pancreatectomy, in which her pancreas and spleen were removed. Because of the operation, she became a brittle diabetic. In the beginning, she had to get five shots a day. Kay had to change her diet, cutting out greasy foods and sugar. She also had to take digestive enzymes.
Only three months later, Kay Kays was again diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Another CT scan revealed a lymph node. It took approximately a year before she could undergo surgery to remove the lymph node. During that time she was put on a chemotherapy regimen with a cocktail of zofran and gemcitibine. Kay said the side effects of the gemcitibine were hair loss and fatigue.
Kay got past this surgery and the chemotherapy, and when she thought the worst of her cancer journey was in the past, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer one more time in 2008. Pancreatic cancer often spreads to the lung, liver and lymph nodes, and this diagnosis was tied to a spot on her lung. Kay had to fight to undergo a biopsy, but eventually had one done and it confirmed that she once again had pancreatic cancer. She elected to have her right lung surgically removed.
The good news for Kay Kays is that since 2008, cancer has not returned. By way of advice, Kay urges those diagnosed with cancer to never lose hope.
Additional Resources:
Support Group:
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: https://www.pancan.org
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By Jim Foster
5
22 ratings
Kay Kays of Sun City, Arizona survived four diagnoses of pancreatic cancer between 1994 and 2008. Her specific diagnosis was pancreatic cyst mucinous adenocarcinoma, a rare form of pancreatic cancer. There was no chemotherapy specifically for pancreatic cancer, but did qualify for a Whipple procedure, a reconstruction of the digestive system, following her first diagnosis. Her final diagnosis was preceded by a spot on her right lung and the surgical removal of the lung. Incredibly, Kay can still engage in hiking, she can deal with being the high altitudes that come with being an air passenger, and she finds time to help others diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
In 1994, Kay, an avid hiker and tennis player, suddenly found herself feeling extremely tired. She ended up in a hospital’s emergency department. That’s where a mass on her pancreas was detected, and she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Kay went in for a Whipple procedure. It involved an incision made across her chest and stomach. After the procedure, Kay said she had to carry about a dishpan for about two weeks because she could not keep any food down, but a few weeks after that, her digestive system returned to normal. Her life came close to returning to normal, as well.
That changed in 1999. A CT scan was run and revealed the cancer had returned to her pancreas. This time Kay underwent a pancreatectomy, in which her pancreas and spleen were removed. Because of the operation, she became a brittle diabetic. In the beginning, she had to get five shots a day. Kay had to change her diet, cutting out greasy foods and sugar. She also had to take digestive enzymes.
Only three months later, Kay Kays was again diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Another CT scan revealed a lymph node. It took approximately a year before she could undergo surgery to remove the lymph node. During that time she was put on a chemotherapy regimen with a cocktail of zofran and gemcitibine. Kay said the side effects of the gemcitibine were hair loss and fatigue.
Kay got past this surgery and the chemotherapy, and when she thought the worst of her cancer journey was in the past, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer one more time in 2008. Pancreatic cancer often spreads to the lung, liver and lymph nodes, and this diagnosis was tied to a spot on her lung. Kay had to fight to undergo a biopsy, but eventually had one done and it confirmed that she once again had pancreatic cancer. She elected to have her right lung surgically removed.
The good news for Kay Kays is that since 2008, cancer has not returned. By way of advice, Kay urges those diagnosed with cancer to never lose hope.
Additional Resources:
Support Group:
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: https://www.pancan.org