This grandmother thought she was just tired, then her skin changed color and doctors revealed a deadly secret.
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Irene Wells was living her best life with her family, until an unexpected wave of fatigue signaled something far more serious. When her skin took on a yellow hue—a telltale sign of jaundice—what seemed like ordinary exhaustion quickly turned into a life-changing battle. A swift medical examination soon revealed a daunting diagnosis: known as the "silent killer" for its ability to go undetected.
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“Silent killer” stems from its insidious nature. Symptoms often remain hidden or are mistaken for less serious conditions until the cancer has advanced to a critical stage.
Irene, a retired teacher who had enjoyed a lifetime of good health, was suddenly thrust into a battle she had only known through the experiences of others. Her friend had succumbed to the same disease after a prolonged fight, and her daughter-in-law's professional life was dedicated to pancreatic cancer research.
Irene was well aware of the grim statistics: Johns Hopkins Medicine cites a 12% five-year survival rate for early-stage diagnoses. Most patients discover their condition too late and live less than a year post-diagnosis.
Upon noticing her jaundiced skin, Irene's husband acted quickly, and they traveled from their Las Vegas home to Mass General Brigham in Boston, where her daughter-in-law worked.
An MRI confirmed the presence of pancreatic cancer. Irene chose not to dwell on the stage of her cancer.
"It's so surreal because you're feeling really good, you don't have pain or anything like that. It's called the silent killer, as I found out," Wells, 73, said. Irene is staying positive to whatever will happen in her treatments.
Dr. Motaz Qadan, a surgical oncologist at Mass General Brigham, devised an aggressive treatment plan that initially included surgery. However, upon discovering that the cancer had metastasized to her liver, indicating Stage IV, surgery was no longer viable.
Irene said, "I told my doctors 'I want to live. I want to see my grandkids grow up a little more,'" Wells said. "I said 'Give me the hardest stuff you can get. I'll get through this.'"
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In 2023, after months of exhaustive treatment, Irene's resilience was rewarded. Dr. Qadan deemed her eligible for the Whipple procedure.
"It doesn't help to take out the primary tumor knowing there is cancer elsewhere and cells spreading in between," a complex surgery typically reserved for cases where cancer has not spread beyond the pancreas. Irene's exceptional response to chemotherapy and radiation made her a candidate for this life-extending surgery.
"Everything that was there before appeared to be resolved. Everything that we could see in the pancreas appeared to be shrinking and getting smaller," Dr. Qadan said.
In November of that same year, the surgical team discovered that the cancer had vanished from Irene's liver and pancreas, a phenomenon known as a “complete pathological response.” This best-case scenario is exceedingly rare, especially for metastatic cases, and it transformed Irene into a beacon of hope for others facing this formidable disease.
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Irene's battle with pancreatic cancer illustrates the unpredictable nature of the disease and the importance of hope, determination, and advanced medical care. Dr. Ryan Sugarman, an oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal cancers, emphasizes that while pancreatic cancer is notoriously resistant to treatment, there are instances of remarkable responses no matter how slim the chances.
As Irene continues to recover, regaining her strength and managing new health challenges like diabetes, she remains focused on the positive aspects of life. She cherishes the time spent with her six grandchildren and plans to make up for lost time with a celebratory Disney cruise for her 50th wedding anniversary.
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"I want to live as long as I can, and be healthy, of course. I feel good now. It's a miracle," Irene said. "I've done a lot in my life, but I would like to do a little bit more."
How do you support loved ones through health battles? What’s your advice for staying hopeful in tough times? Share with us your experience in the comments below
Also read: This Mom's Tragic Story Reveals Fatal Doctor Errors - Are You Being Asked The Right Questions?
[firstad][/firstad]
“Silent killer” stems from its insidious nature. Symptoms often remain hidden or are mistaken for less serious conditions until the cancer has advanced to a critical stage.
Irene, a retired teacher who had enjoyed a lifetime of good health, was suddenly thrust into a battle she had only known through the experiences of others. Her friend had succumbed to the same disease after a prolonged fight, and her daughter-in-law's professional life was dedicated to pancreatic cancer research.
Irene was well aware of the grim statistics: Johns Hopkins Medicine cites a 12% five-year survival rate for early-stage diagnoses. Most patients discover their condition too late and live less than a year post-diagnosis.
MRI Scan that detected the “Silent Killer.” Source: Pixabay/jarmoluk
Upon noticing her jaundiced skin, Irene's husband acted quickly, and they traveled from their Las Vegas home to Mass General Brigham in Boston, where her daughter-in-law worked.
An MRI confirmed the presence of pancreatic cancer. Irene chose not to dwell on the stage of her cancer.
"It's so surreal because you're feeling really good, you don't have pain or anything like that. It's called the silent killer, as I found out," Wells, 73, said. Irene is staying positive to whatever will happen in her treatments.
Dr. Motaz Qadan, a surgical oncologist at Mass General Brigham, devised an aggressive treatment plan that initially included surgery. However, upon discovering that the cancer had metastasized to her liver, indicating Stage IV, surgery was no longer viable.
Irene said, "I told my doctors 'I want to live. I want to see my grandkids grow up a little more,'" Wells said. "I said 'Give me the hardest stuff you can get. I'll get through this.'"
[nextads][/nextads]
In 2023, after months of exhaustive treatment, Irene's resilience was rewarded. Dr. Qadan deemed her eligible for the Whipple procedure.
"It doesn't help to take out the primary tumor knowing there is cancer elsewhere and cells spreading in between," a complex surgery typically reserved for cases where cancer has not spread beyond the pancreas. Irene's exceptional response to chemotherapy and radiation made her a candidate for this life-extending surgery.
"Everything that was there before appeared to be resolved. Everything that we could see in the pancreas appeared to be shrinking and getting smaller," Dr. Qadan said.
In November of that same year, the surgical team discovered that the cancer had vanished from Irene's liver and pancreas, a phenomenon known as a “complete pathological response.” This best-case scenario is exceedingly rare, especially for metastatic cases, and it transformed Irene into a beacon of hope for others facing this formidable disease.
[nextads][/nextads]
Irene's battle with pancreatic cancer illustrates the unpredictable nature of the disease and the importance of hope, determination, and advanced medical care. Dr. Ryan Sugarman, an oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal cancers, emphasizes that while pancreatic cancer is notoriously resistant to treatment, there are instances of remarkable responses no matter how slim the chances.
As Irene continues to recover, regaining her strength and managing new health challenges like diabetes, she remains focused on the positive aspects of life. She cherishes the time spent with her six grandchildren and plans to make up for lost time with a celebratory Disney cruise for her 50th wedding anniversary.
[nextads][/nextads]
"I want to live as long as I can, and be healthy, of course. I feel good now. It's a miracle," Irene said. "I've done a lot in my life, but I would like to do a little bit more."
Also read: This Mom's Tragic Story Reveals Fatal Doctor Errors - Are You Being Asked The Right Questions?
