It’s official – I’m now one of the 3% who survive pancreatic cancer
Five years ago today, and at the age of 41, I was told the devastating news that I had a mass on my pancreas. Within days I knew that that mass was pancreatic cancer, a disease I personally had never heard of before. Soon, searches on the Internet revealed the terrifying extent of what I was facing and, although I was diagnosed in time for surgery, I really didn’t appreciate that this was my only hope of long-term survival.
The year I was diagnosed (2007), Steve Jobs announced the launch of the iPhone. Since then we have seen the start of economic decline with Black Monday in 2008, Barack Obama became the first African-American to be elected President of the United States, the Arab Spring began in earnest, the UK has a coalition government, Prince William married Kate Middleton, The Queen has celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, London successfully staged the Olympics and a space craft called Curiosity landed on Mars. Sadly the Apple Co-founder Steve Jobs passed away from pancreatic cancer just last year.
With such poor survival rates for pancreatic cancer, I found it almost impossible to believe I would be alive the Christmas following my diagnosis let alone still be here to witness the many changes our world has seen in the past five years.
What still hasn’t changed though is the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer, which stands at only three per cent. One-year survival has improved slightly but the UK figure is still under 20 per cent and one of the worst rates in Europe. And still, despite the fact that pancreatic cancer is the fifth biggest cancer killer in the UK, it receives only one per cent of research funding.
Over the past five years and through Pancreatic Cancer Action, I have had the pleasure of getting to know other pancreatic cancer patients. This is definitely the very best part of what I do but can often also be the hardest. Sadly not all of my new friends have had the outcome that I have had and many are no longer with us. Today, while I take time to reflect, I remember Helen, Michael, Nigel, Simon and Wendy and realise just how lucky I am.
But some of us do survive – take a look at our pancreatic cancer patient stories to see Paul, Cath, Cliff, Ron and many others. These stories should give hope to others facing their own diagnosis for pancreatic cancer.
Our very soggy goldie, Megan on our walk this morning
And how will I celebrate? Well of course I will be raising a glass tonight to my excellent medical team but also to my wonderful (& long-suffering!) husband and my two boys who have supported me throughout. However, this morning when I took my early morning walk with my dogs I didn’t rush around to get the task done before getting into the office. Today I took time to take in the beauty of the scenery – watching the mist rising above the purple heather-clad hills, to breathe in the fresh air and to take a moment or two to appreciate the fact that I am still alive. Not only am I alive, but I have never felt better.
Through Pancreatic Cancer Action, I am determined that things will improve and that in the future many more people will be celebrating their own five-year survival of pancreatic cancer.
I would like to thank everyone who has supported me these past five years.
7 Responses to “It’s official – I’m now one of the 3% who survive pancreatic cancer”
Leave a Reply
The views expressed in this blog are the authors' own.
Hi Ali
I’m sure the date is significant…. And my heartfelt congratulatioons…. but you won’t stop thinking about the disease and how to increase the research budgets… You have been talking to my fantastic wife Charlie, as I am also going to part of the 3%….. Had the whipple on the 21st October 2011 and I have had the remission conversation, but not yet at a year. Happy to help in raising funds and awareness as my strength returns from the horrible chemo…. Anyway have a fantastic weekend and congratulations again
Hi Ali, It’s good to read your account of how you are one of the few who have achieved 5years survival, and how you celebrate each additional day! It’s over ten years since my dear wife Joyce died from pancreatic cancer, only seven months after she was diagnosed. Since then, there has been no improvement in 5 year survival, and as you say, it still only received one percent of UK research funding. Keep up the good work to draw attention to this situation, and I’m with you as you work to change things.
Hi Ali
Its so good to read your story and many congratulations on getting past the 5 year mark. I am just over 2 years and think that is great! Its also good to hear that you are out enjoying the scenery and generally enjoying life. My husband and family have also been brilliant and I know it has been just as hard for them.
Do glad tyo hear you are doing so well
Love
Vivien
i have BROTHER WHO DIED ON 18TH FEBRUAY 2013 OF PANCRIATIC cancer after being diagnosed on the 23rd november 2012. so sudden so sad , we never got to fullfill his dream, i miss him every second, he was disabled all down the right side since 1961 and so very independant such a brave proud man, he never wanted to die like this, it is time in this day and age that they had a cure, charity begins at home and money should be used for these horrid cancers instead of to othe countrys which anyway the people donot get
I lost my brave and amazing mam to pancreatic cancer on 13 Aug 2013, 16 months after diagnosis. She fought this disease with so much dignity and determination, and never wanted to give in. I feel so passionate about raising awareness and much needed money to help fight this awful cancer. So far my family and I have raised approx £3000 and we have 6 of us running in the BUPA great north run this year. I miss mam every second of every day and i know nothing can bring her back- but if i can stop even 1 person from having to endure the pain that she did i will be a happy person.
My Dad has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 67 and it feels like our whole world has been turned upside down. We are just learning all about it and he had a stent fitted yesterday.
We are waiting to find out more from his CT scan in the next couple of days. So I have everything crossed for positive news and appreciate this website for all the useful information xxx
Hi Jules, sorry to hear about your dad, hope the stent fitting went well. Good luck with the CT scan results and let us know if you need any further information to help you. ALi