Hi everyone...My name is Christie and I was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer November 3, 2020 at the age of 49. In December 2019 I went to the ER on Christmas Eve for a kidney stone. I knew I had the stone but it decided it wanted to celebrate as well. I went to the ER, got my usual pain cocktail when I have a kidney stone attack and was told that I had a stone in each kidney after my CT w/contrast. Typically I look over my test results and labs but I didn't this time because I already knew I had a kidney stone. The only one I thought I has was found in February of 2019. Fast forward to September 2020 (9 months later). I was rear ended and because of my injuries (minor ones) I was referred to the chiropractor by the ER doctor. I also had x-rays and and tests while in the ER for this accident and they said the same thing - I have kidney stones and that I had a concussion. This accident however saved my life. Before going to chiropractor I pulled my records from Christmas Eve 2019 because I wanted to see where my stones was located and the size. I have issues passing stones and wanted to make sure it was not bothered by my upcoming therapy. As I was looking thru my CT scan I noticed (3) issues on the final diagnosis - (1) - Kidney stone left kidney (2) Kidney stone right kidney and (3) 11.4mm tumor in pancreatic tail that needed follow up with an MRI protocol. I was floored to say the least. I immediately made an appointment with a gastro doctor at MUSC. Saw her on the last Thursday in October, had a biopsy on the following Monday, November 2nd and I was told when I woke up that I had Pancreatic Cancer. Surgery followed November 30, 2020. I had my pancreatic tail removed and my spleen. My spleen was fine but because of all of the connections that would have needed to be made from the tail removal it was safer to just remove it. My tumor was encapsulated which was a gift in itself. I was diagnosed with T1N0M0 tumor which is a stage 1 with no metastases. I was very lucky. This tumor developed to the size it was between February 2019 to December 2019 and I had it for another 11 months before it was removed. Surgery removed the tumor and no treatments (chemo or radiation) were necessary. I am the owner of my body and it is my responsibility to look over my paperwork however, I should have been told by the ER doctor what they found. I was drugged up and there was no mention of this to me or my daughter. I have read articles that say symptoms typically do not show in the first stages but I disagree. I did not lose a significant amount of weight because I have thyroid issues and my weight fluctuates. I did not have jaundice BUT I had terrible heartburn, my left side just under my ribs hurt terribly but not all of the time. The pain did radiate at times to my back. I had side cramps, loss of appetite, fatigue. Felt full after just a few bites. No family history of pancreatic cancer. Those symptoms could have been any number of things but they weren't. They were my tumor. My cancer. Doctors just shrugged it off as Gerd and prescribed heartburn medicine. No one wanted to listen but that hateful, non-discriminating disease was lurking and growing. I thank GOD every day for sparing me but I am realistic. I know cancer can come back and that it can come back with a vengeance. I go for 6 month check ups until December 2025 with my next one next month. I am always positive. That is what got me thru this. I had surgery on a Monday, was up walking around on Wednesday, went home on Friday and back to work the following Wednesday with my lovely accessory called a drain. Power of positivity.