Debra's Story: “You know your body better than anyone”
- Posted: 30 October 2026
- 3 min read
Debra Grindall survived pancreatic cancer at just 32. Years later, she lost her mum to the same disease. Now Debra is sharing both experiences to encourage others to trust their instincts, recognise the symptoms and never be afraid to ask the questions.
When Debra first noticed an unusual itch around her ankles, she thought little of it. She was getting ready for a friend's wedding, had just had a spray tan and was more concerned about scratching her skin and ruining it.
But the itching didn't go away. It became progressively worse, and soon other symptoms began to appear. Her skin started to look yellow, her urine became darker and her stools paler. She was also experiencing extreme tiredness and nausea.
Looking back, Debra believes her body had been trying to tell her something was wrong for months.
I vividly remember the first time I felt itchy. It was right before one of my best friend's wedding. I remember my ankles felt itchy and I gave them a good scratch and immediately gave myself a row because of my fresh spray tan! After that
Debra
I would feel itchy every so often, nothing that caused alarm bells but enough to notice. During the week that followed my itch got progressively worse. Only when I started to look yellow I looked up jaundice and realise that I ticked all the symptoms.
These symptoms were all subtle but got progressively worse as the weeks went on.
Although this is when I knew something was seriously wrong, I believe my body was trying to warn me for months before. I often didn't feel quite right. I was extremely tired and would often feel nauseous. I now know my body was trying to let me know something wasn't right.
At just 32, Debra was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Her life changed overnight as she faced treatment and an uncertain future.
Looking back, she describes the experience as devastating, and says that surviving a disease with such low survival rates has made her reflect differently on life.
Of course I get caught up in the daily chaos of life and, like everyone else, I complain about all the mundane things. But I often remind myself how lucky I am to be here, to have made incredible memories and to be living a life that once felt impossible.
Life after cancer, finding hope and a new purpose
Since her diagnosis, Debra has built a life she once feared might not be possible. She became engaged to the man who supported her throughout her cancer journey, and they are now married with two beautiful children. She has also continued her career in teaching.
But life has not been without heartbreak.
In May 2025, Debra lost her mum to pancreatic cancer. Having survived the disease herself, watching someone she loved go through the same experience was something she could never have imagined.
Her mum was, in Debra's words, “the life and soul of the party”. She had an infectious laugh, loved her family and would do anything for them. Even when she was unwell, her concern was always for everyone else.
Her mum first developed type 2 diabetes in early 2020.
Although there is a family history of the disease, this diagnosis came as a bit of a shock to us as she didn’t fit the typical profile of someone with such a diagnosis. Having a better knowledge of pancreatic cancer since my diagnosis, alarm bells were ringing in my head. My maternal grandfather had passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 84 and I had been diagnosed at 32. This always made us wonder if there was a genetic link with the disease and this new onset of diabetes did worry me.
Debra
Debra encouraged her mum to seek medical advice, and she was referred for a CT scan. The results were clear, bringing some reassurance to the family.
However, in April 2023, her mum developed jaundice.
We knew immediately what was wrong and our guts told us history was repeating itself. Tests and scans were ongoing for weeks and eventually we were given the news that we knew was coming. Mum was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was scheduled for a Whipple procedure in June. Mum’s diagnosis was like travelling back in time. She had the same operation as I had and was given the same chemotherapy as I was.
Debra
Debra’s mum recovered well and began enjoying life again. But in September 2024, the family received the devastating news that the cancer had returned in her lungs and spine.
Debra describes the experience of surviving pancreatic cancer while losing her mum to the same disease as bittersweet.
Surviving pancreatic cancer whilst my Mum died from the disease fills me with such a mix of emotions. I am so grateful to still be here and for all the memories I've been able to make but I am so heartbroken I can no longer share those memories with my Mum.
Debra
It is the most bittersweet experience and survivor guilt is tenfold. When you go through something as traumatic as pancreatic cancer, you never imagine you'll have to go through the same journey again with someone you love.
Turning heartbreak into hope
Following her mum's death, Debra found herself navigating grief alongside life as a mum to two young children. She began going out for walks to clear her head, eventually deciding to try running.
What started as a distraction became something much more. Running gave her a focus, a challenge and a way to channel her grief. She began sharing her journey on social media, inspiring others along the way.
One of her proudest achievements has been completing the Great Scottish Run Half Marathon alongside her brother and a family friend, raising funds for Pancreatic Cancer Action.
I am so proud of myself for continuing with my running a year and a half on. It's become a big part of my life, and I hope it continues to be. One of my proudest moments is completing the Great Scottish Run. I ran the half marathon with my brother and a family friend for Pancreatic Cancer Action. I still can't quite believe I did it!
Don’t Wait Until You’re Dying to Ask
For Debra, raising awareness of pancreatic cancer is now deeply personal. Having experienced the disease herself and osing both her mum and grandfather to it, she wants to help prevent other families from experiencing the same heartbreak.
She knows first-hand how easily symptoms can be overlooked, even within a family that has already been affected by pancreatic cancer.
Raising awareness of this disease matters so much. It matters to me, my children and the generations to come. I don't want to lose anyone else I love to this disease and I don't want anyone else to either.
My Mum's experience has made it even more important to raise awareness of the symptoms. Even as a family who have experienced the disease first-hand, we still lost a loved one.
Her message to anyone experiencing symptoms is simple:
“I want people reading this to make themselves aware of the symptoms and to get checked if they feel something doesn't feel right. You know your body better than anyone.”
But Debra also wants people affected by pancreatic cancer to know that there can be hope.
When I was diagnosed, I would have given anything to read a story like mine and to know that there can be life after this cruel disease.
My story has heartbreak but it also has real hope, strength and survival.
This Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, Debra is helping Pancreatic Cancer Action share an important message: don't dismiss the niggles, don't put off asking questions and don't ignore something that doesn't feel right.
Know the symptoms. Trust your instincts. Speak to your GP.
Don’t Wait Until You’re Dying to Ask
