From Survivor to Advocate: My Journey After Beating Pancreatic Cancer

Living Beyond the Odds: A Pancreatic Cancer Survivor’s Journey

Tom Dinwiddie’s remarkable story of survival is a testament to resilience and hope. Diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer on April 2, 2012, Tom faced a grim prognosis, with six tumors in his liver and one in his pancreas, leaving him with just two months to live. Rather than succumbing to despair, he chose to fight fiercely against the disease, determined to share his journey and inspire others.

A Bold Decision to Fight Cancer

When Tom received his diagnosis, he was told his cancer was inoperable and highly aggressive. Many would have felt defeated, but not Tom. He sought treatment at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina, where oncologist Dr. John Strickler agreed to help him, despite the odds. Through an unconventional treatment plan involving FOLFIRINOX, a potent chemotherapy regimen, Tom embarked on his battle against cancer.

• Initial chemotherapy rounds: Tom endured 15 rounds of chemotherapy, experiencing severe side effects but remaining steadfast in his goal to survive.
• Significant progress: After four rounds, scans revealed a 60-70% reduction in tumor size, igniting hope for potential surgery.

Exploring Alternative Treatments

While undergoing chemotherapy, Tom sought additional opinions from renowned cancer centers like MD Anderson and Moffitt Cancer Center but found no new options. Determined, he consulted with Dr. Brian Kouri at Wake Forest Medical Center, who introduced him to radiofrequency ablation, a procedure designed to eliminate tumors without harming surrounding tissue.

• Surgical consultation: Tom later met with Dr. Clancy Clark, a liver surgery specialist. They discussed a surgical plan that would allow for simultaneous liver surgery and the Whipple procedure, which is essential for removing pancreatic cancer.

A Surprising Twist Before Surgery

Before undergoing surgery on January 23, 2013, a pre-surgical biopsy revealed astonishing news. The biopsy showed no signs of cancer in the specimens taken from his liver. The technicians were shocked, leading Tom to believe that his chemotherapy had effectively eradicated the cancer cells.

The Surgical Journey Begins

The day of the surgery arrived, and Tom felt a sense of excitement and anticipation. The procedure, initially planned to remove individual tumors, ended with the removal of the entire right lobe of his liver and the Whipple procedure performed on his pancreas. After 10.5 hours in the operating room, the pathology results were even more astonishing: the tumors had died, with only a minuscule amount of cancer cells found.

• Recovery: Tom faced challenges in recovery, including a post-operative infection, but he remained optimistic. He learned to manage his diet with Creon pills to aid digestion, a small price to pay for his life.

A New Lease on Life

Today, Tom enjoys life fully, maintaining a healthy appetite and feeling stronger than ever. His liver even grew back larger than before, a surprise that delighted his medical team.

In sharing his story, Tom hopes to inspire others facing similar battles. His journey exemplifies that, with determination, hope, and the right medical support, survival against the odds is possible.

For an in-depth look at his inspiring journey, watch Tom share his experiences in “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants.”