Some of the most meaningful guidance comes from people who truly understand the experience. During the 20th Annual Symposium on Pancreatic Cancer, Jeanette Reedy Solano, cancer-free for over a year, shared twelve lessons learned through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. These twelve practical tips come from someone who understands the challenges, uncertainties, and victories that come with a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. While every journey is unique, we hope these insights offer encouragement, perspective, and helpful guidance for patients and families alike.
Take a deep breath
You will not perish today.
Decide you will live
Your mind is a powerful part of this battle!
Turn outward and accept help
Say YES to this entire new world of support services and groups:
like the Hirshberg Foundation, the Simms Mann Center, the Seena Magowitz Foundation, Cancer Support Community, and more. Recognize your need for others, pancreatic cancer is not a “fly solo” type of cancer. Seek out a cancer support community and commit to it. I joined an in-person weekly support group for women fighting cancer and a weekly Zoom group of just pancreatic cancer warriors. You need a place to vent, cry, swap insider tips, joke and laugh, which leads to my next suggestion…
Laugh often
Whatever does this for you, daily joking with your family, stand-up, a sitcom, comedic films, etc. You need to laugh on this rollercoaster (screaming ok too).
Pray and accept the prayers of others
Clarify who and what you are living for
I had their photos by my bed. Make concrete plans for the future:
“I will attend my daughter’s college graduation in May 2027.”
Educate yourself
Be judicious online, stick to peer-reviewed journal articles, PubMed, and trusted resources. Knowledge is power and can be grounding. For visual learners, I suggest a physical medical model of your pancreas. I followed my tumor and vein involvement using playdough.
Know that YOU are the team captain
You get to decide who is on your healing team. You get to make decisions for your body and your life.
Know that you are stronger than this devastating disease
Stronger than chemo, and strong enough to heal from surgery and live.
Cast your healing net wide
Be open to alternative medicine. I did 1-on-1 Yoga Nidra, which is akin to yogic psychotherapy, read inspiring books, gird your body with good nutrition, try acupuncture, sound baths, reiki, & massage. Seek out clinical trials.
Get several second opinions
I got 5 before surgery — you will learn from each.
Find positive doctors who nurture your hope
And then build a hedge around it.
