First, happy 65th birthday! Today happens to be my 76th birthday, so we have something in common.

I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November 2018, almost eight years ago. My tumor was unresectable, so surgery was never an option for me. I entered a clinical trial, underwent 33 radiation treatments, and have been on maintenance chemotherapy for more than six years. Today, I am still active, enjoying life, and looking forward to the future.

I understand your concern about quality of life. After nearly eight years of living with pancreatic cancer, I can tell you that quality of life is extremely important to me as well.

I have two strong suggestions for you.

First, please find people who have actually undergone a total pancreatectomy and talk with them. Ask them what their daily lives are like. How difficult is managing blood sugar? What about pancreatic enzymes, eating, traveling, and maintaining an active lifestyle? There are people living good, productive lives without a pancreas, and I think hearing directly from them would be invaluable. Their experiences may help you understand what life after surgery could really look like.

Second, and perhaps most importantly, please get a second opinion at a major pancreatic center before making this decision.

I would particularly suggest contacting Dr. Douglas Evans at Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. He is a highly experienced pancreatic surgeon who deals with complex pancreatic conditions.

I would want someone with his experience to review your scans, pathology, genetic findings, and history of IPMNs. The important question is whether removing your entire pancreas is necessary now or whether continued surveillance or another approach might be reasonable.

One thing I have learned during my nearly eight years with pancreatic cancer is that medical predictions are not always certainties. When I was first diagnosed, I certainly never imagined I would be celebrating my 76th birthday today.