Strong and Courageous: Defeating Pancreatic Cancer
Defeating pancreatic cancer – the cancer with the lowest survival rate – takes a woman who is strong and courageous. And Mary Anne* IS that kind of woman.
* Her real name is used with permission.
Wasn’t Always Strong and Courageous
But Mary Anne wasn’t always strong and courageous. For 22 years, she lived with the verbal and emotional abuse her husband spewed at her daily.
Alcohol, cigarettes, and unhealthy eating numbed her emotional pain from his hurtful and threatening words.
“He would drink so much I could see the devil in him. It was never physical abuse, but the verbal abuse hurt just as much. When he would rage, my German shepherds protected me.”
“I can’t blame only him for my excessive drinking. I worked as an event planner and drinking socially with clients was an expected part of the job.”
Stage 1 Pancreatic Cancer
A stretch of twenty-three highly stressful days of work with no off days caused an unexplained pain in her chest and a pain that radiated from her sides to her back. Fearing she was having a heart attack, she drove herself to Urgent Care.
When her symptoms were inconclusive, the doctor recommended Mary Anne see her gastro doctor.
“In March of 2014, I went by myself for a CT scan. When he looked at the results, the surgical oncologist diagnosed me with stage 1 pancreatic cancer.”
Pancreatic cancer is considered the silent disease as the symptoms – back pain, jaundice, weight loss, diabetes, and nausea – often don’t begin until the later stages.
Bigger Than Me
Her doctor explained how her unhealthy weight, 45 years of smoking cigarettes, and drinking excessively likely caused the pancreatic cancer. He urged her to immediately lose weight and stop smoking and drinking.
“I cried when I heard the diagnosis and how I contributed to the cancer that was attacking my body. I was in a fog when I walked to my car.”
As much as Mary Anne’s relationship with Jesus was part of her life as a young woman, she turned away years ago when she knew her decisions and lifestyle as an adult didn’t follow God’s plan for her life.
“My faith that had been suppressed for so many years came flooding back. I knew I didn’t possess the strength and courage to fight the cancer diagnosis alone.”
When she reached her car, she raised her hands up in the air and prayed: “This is bigger than me, God. I’m giving it to you. I can’t do this without you.” Immediately, she had no desire to drink or smoke. A peace came over her and she was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Strong and Courageous
“I didn’t research pancreatic cancer as I didn’t want to get caught up in all the statistics and overwhelming information. I chose to trust God to direct me to the right doctors and the right treatments.”
Renewing her commitment to her faith helped her to trust the words of Joshua 1:9 (see left). “I read the Bible from cover to cover as I wanted to be strong and courageous.”
She began chemo treatments in April of 2014. Twenty-eight radiation treatments between October and December prepared her for surgery. “Each time I heard a radiation zap, I prayed for God to heal my body in the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.”
She continued working during treatments until her Whipple surgery in December of 2014. “I took my grandmother’s Bible with me so I could read it while I was recovering after surgery. I was determined to be strong and courageous just like she was. She never questioned God about the passing of three of her children, which made Mary Anne’s mother an only child. She just trusted Him.”
Many Reasons to Praise God
The eight-hour Whipple surgery removed part of her stomach, part of the duodenum, her gall bladder, and the part of the pancreas where the tumor was located. Her digestive system was also reconstructed.
The Whipple procedure is a difficult and demanding operation and can have serious risks. However, this surgery is often lifesaving, particularly for people with pancreatic cancer.
Her recovery went well, and she returned to work. Scans every three months became part of Mary Anne’s routine care. Living disease-free gave Mary Anne many reasons to praise God.
“I could even say I was thankful for the cancer diagnosis as it brought me back to God. Sharing my story with others gives them hope.”
Recurrence of Cancer
Mary Anne lived disease-free until a scan in December of 2017 revealed a lesion on her liver. Chemo and radiation treatments in January of 2018 were started to attack the lesion.
“My oncologist felt I had a recurrence of cancer as my tumor marker was over 1200 when a disease-free marker is less than 30. After several other tests, he decided there was a false positive in the blood work. Instead of cancer, he believed my affected bile ducts and the fluid on my abdomen that were causing me problems were side effects from severe radiation.”
Her doctor continued chemo treatments as a cautionary measure. Not letting this “scare” stop her, Mary Anne enjoyed traveling with friends. “I wanted to embrace life and experience new places,” she shared.
Disease-Free
In August of 2018, Mary Anne moved up her regular three-month scan appointment, because during her Alaskan cruise her feet started swelling. Upon her return, she was diagnosed with cellulitis (swelling), which is a side effect of chemo. Antibiotics were given as treatment.
Finally in October of 2018, her oncologist stopped the chemo treatments as the side effects were causing too many problems, and her scans revealed no cancer cells. She was invited to ring the bell, which signified the end of active treatment and the beginning of living a disease-free life.
“My faith healed me just like the woman in Mark 5:34,” Mary Anne declared during our interview.
A Turning Point
Her nearly five-year journey of fighting pancreatic cancer has taught her much about God. “I’ve learned to embrace each day – no matter if it’s a good day or bad day – because it’s all in God’s plan for my life. Learning I had cancer was a turning point as I knew I needed to return to my faith and lean in close to God. He gave me a peace that could only come from Him. I wouldn’t have made it without Him.”
She also shared life lessons: “Find something you enjoy. For me it was riding horses and traveling. When you’re with friends and family, listen more. Embrace and enjoy those relationships and the memories made.”
Leave a reply (below): “My God is bigger than any cancer statistic,” Mary Anne shared. She is definitely living proof that statistics aren’t always accurate!
Mary Anne is truly an example of how faith, courage, attitude and gratitude can see you through many obstacles. She never gives up and it brings joy to me to watch her gain her strength and be able to do the little things she could not do months ago. She is, indeed, an overcomer!
I love you so much! You are my sister and you never fail to come to my aid when I need you!
Thank you for loving me and giving the BEST advise whether as friend, nurse or doctor! You are so smart!
Love your story of faith and courage Mary Anne. As a cancer warrior myself, I can relate to your inspiring journey. So happy for you! God is so good!
Thank you, Cori! God Bless You!
I believe that you are one of the most inspiring and courageous people I know. You bring my heart such joy and happiness. I am so thankful to have met you, and that you are my friend. I have learned so much from you, and I too am blessed because of you. My love always…
Wendy, I have always been so proud of you! As my friend, customer, and the incredible mother you have become. I love you and wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
Mary Anne your strength is so beautiful!!! I thank God for your healing and your life!!! You are absolutely amazing!!!!
Thank you, Addlia! May God Bless You!
Rejoicing with you! Thank you for sharing your journey of healing. Bless You!
Thank you for your support! God Bless You!
Thank you, Maureen! I appreciate your support!
Dear Mary Anne,
This is a beautiful testimony and we have seen you live out your faith in God and be strong and courageous! You have touched our lives and the lives of many others in this journey. We give praise to God for your witness and strength!
Love, Travis and Donna
Dearest Donna and Travis, I love you both so much! Your friendship and support have meant so much to me! Thank you for everything! May God Bless You both and Merry Christmas!
Mary Anne you are truly a blessing to everyone you meet. You have inspired so many people by sharing your story, your journey, and most importantly your faith. You have touched so many lives with your courage and positive attitude. God be with you as you continue to heal. God is not done with you my friend. God bless you always. Love Barbara
Thank you for loving me! You and David are my angels! Thank you for all you do for for me!
What an upbeat person you were and still are. I’m glad that you chose to put God back in your life. Of course he was part of your healing physically and emotionally. May God continue to give you a clean bill of health and keep you strong in your faith and your health.
Glenda, God is so good! Thank you and Merry Christmas!
What an incredible story of brokenness, faith, redemption, and healing!!!!!!
Thank you, Jeff, for taking the time to read my story and for your blessing! God Bless You and Merry Christmas
You are an amazing woman and I am blessed to know you and love you. What an inspiration and so happy to call you family. I will be passing your story on to some of my family. Thank you for being Patti and Mikes friend and now mine. We can all learn something from your strength and faith journey. Love you so much!
BTW what are you doing for Christmas?
Nancy, I am so blessed to be able to call you my family! You and Scott have welcomed me with open arms along with your incredible children, Lacy and Michael! I love you all so much and am so proud of your family and faith in the Lord. I do have plans for Christmas Day and I thank you for thinking of me! God Bless You and your family and Merry Christmas!
So happy you are well again. God is good! Thank you for sharing your amazing story with us. I pray you will continue to have good health and will continue to live the life you want.
Kay, God is so good! I give him all the glory! Thank you for your kind words and support!
Mo, What a wonderful story to the road of healing ,And what you taught me. The Power of Prayer. And when feeling down, just turn to the person next to you and say: Neighbor, Everything is going to be Alright. ( Key West ) 2018. Love you to the moon and back and more.
To my sweet Samich!
I love you so much and thank you for always taking such good care of me when we travel. I feel so safe and I love your bear hugs! I also love our love of sports that we share. Neighbor, everything will be alright!
You are a remarkable person! Your positive uplifting spirit amazes and inspires me. You are a true testament of embracing life and “living”. I am so grateful I have been blessed to know you. Love you
Selene, I feel the same about you. You are truly an Overcomer and I love you!
MaryAnne- thanks for telling your story! Melony, thanks for sharing it! It is truly inspiring! The work of the Holy Spirit in your life amazes me!! You are a source of love and light in my life! Love you!!!❤️
Mary Anne is such an inspirational person. We have had the pleasure of getting to know her personally and she truly is a wonderful person that lets the light of Jesus Christ shine through her smile and affection for others. Her story has and will be a gift to many because it teaches us several things: 1. It’s never too late to come back to the Lord; 2. Never give up; and, 3. God is faithful. We love you Mary Anne and consider your love and friendship a tremendous blessing!!! Here’s to a cancer-free 2019! May God continue to richly bless you and yours!!!
You are the most amazing person i know and I’m so grateful to have you in my life. You inspire me and I love you very much..