Pancreas Center Patient Spotlights: Steven's Story

Patient Spotlights

Steven's Story

Just two years ago, I was an unusually healthy 50 year old — I couldn't even remember having had a bad cold in my life. But that all changed when, a thousand miles from home, my eyes and skin started to show signs of jaundice. A friend recommended that I get myself to a doctor right away, and soon after that I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In just one day, I went from feeling invincible to being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and asked by my doctor if I "had my affairs in order". I went online to research pancreatic cancer, only to be left speechless when I found the survival rates.

My doctor told me that I needed to head back to New York to find a pancreatic surgeon immediately, and within a matter of days I came to the Pancreas Center at Columbia University Medical Center. From the moment I was first greeted on the phone all the way through my appointments with their doctors and nurses, it was very clear that I had come to the right place. My treatment was explained to me in great detail, without ever becoming too complicated for me to understand. My surgeon performed a successful whipple procedure to remove my tumor, which my oncologist and his wonderful nurses followed up with a regiment of chemotherapy. Today I'm thrilled to be able to say that I still have no signs of a recurrence, and I owe it all to the Pancreas Center.

From the Administrative Director of the Pancreas Center, Francine Castillo:

Words can't express our gratitude to Steven for all that he has done for us at the Pancreas Center. From contributing beverages for over 3,000 walkers and volunteers at Purple Stride in November 2009, a walk organized with PANCAN to raise money for pancreatic cancer, to providing us with integral connections at the local radio station WBLS, who provided the sound system for the walk, Steven has wholeheartedly supported our efforts to make pancreatic cancer a manageable disease. Most recently, he and his family donated funds to provide free parking for all attendees of our Pancreas Awareness Day in November 2010, allowing a record number of people to come to the event. In addition to all of this, Steven regularly takes the time to show his gratitude to all of our staff at the Pancreas Center, and his visits always bring a smile to our faces. Steven helps us to remember how the work we do every day does impact our patients' lives, and we are so happy that he has chosen to be a part of the Pancreas Center.