Prue's Story
Every year 630 New Zealanders are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and over 540 families lose a loved one to this striking disease.
This Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month we want to Shine a Light on just a few of the stories told by those fighting their personal pancreatic cancer battle, and those who have lost someone dear to them.
Amongst the grim survival statistics for pancreatic cancer, there are shining lights!
77 year-old ex-farmer Prue Carver was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year but last week was given the fantastic news that she is cancer-free. Prue is sharing her story to give hope to others receiving this diagnosis and to help raise awareness. Thank you Prue – you are an inspiration and testament for seeking help early when you first noticed symptoms. Here is her story:
“Apart from some time overseas I have lived on a farm all my life, I am passionate about my Highland Cattle and my garden. I have lived an amazing life and look forward to the years ahead, I have a loving and caring family and grandchildren who for some reason think I am pretty special and pop in and out on a regular basis.
We moved into Wanganui from the farm late 2018 as my husband’s health was deteriorating and being 30 minutes out of town, it was not feasible to have the care he needed. So pleased we moved when we did and were able to create memories here, James died February 2020, 16 months after we moved, his sense of humour and love of family with him to the end. Less than two months after he died, Covid hit and the world as we know changed.
I remained fit and healthy throughout this time until I noticed one day my urine was dark and poo was a putty colour. Day two of this I decided to visit my GP who promptly sent me to the local ED where they carried out several tests which showed a blocked bile duct but inconclusive as to why.
“Apart from some time overseas I have lived on a farm all my life, I am passionate about my Highland Cattle and my garden. I have lived an amazing life and look forward to the years ahead, I have a loving and caring family and grandchildren who for some reason think I am pretty special and pop in and out on a regular basis.
We moved into Wanganui from the farm late 2018 as my husband’s health was deteriorating and being 30 minutes out of town, it was not feasible to have the care he needed. So pleased we moved when we did and were able to create memories here, James died February 2020, 16 months after we moved, his sense of humour and love of family with him to the end. Less than two months after he died, Covid hit and the world as we know changed.
I remained fit and healthy throughout this time until I noticed one day my urine was dark and poo was a putty colour. Day two of this I decided to visit my GP who promptly sent me to the local ED where they carried out several tests which showed a blocked bile duct but inconclusive as to why.
19th October 2020 under the excellent care of Adam I had a Whipple procedure, five days later I was discharged from hospital and on day seven I returned to my home in Whanganui. The surgery went well, and he removed all of the tumor with 20mm margins, however there were microscopic traces in one of the fourteen lymph nodes that were removed. Adam felt I had come through surgery so well that chemo was definitely the way to go and so referred me to an Oncologist in Palmerston North. So, six weeks after surgery, I started chemo with the view this could be a cure…. No promises though.”
Last week, Prue received the news that she has no signs of cancer. She will continue to be monitored with blood tests every three months, but her oncologist told her she was looking good and to get on with life.
Prue says “I don’t know what the future holds but I do know I am one of the lucky ones, they diagnosed me early which gave me options, and I am a fighter and met this head on. I know not everyone’s story is like mine, but if I had one piece of advice it would be yes things can go wrong but never lose sight of the fact that things can also go right…”
Pancreatic Cancer Aotearoa/ New Zealand - Facebook Support Group
If you have been affected by pancreatic visit: https://www.facebook.com/PanCan.ANZ. for an online community to support patients, friends, and family affected by pancreatic cancer