- Elizabeth O’Connor defied the odds and beat stage 4 pancreatic cancer after giving birth to her son.
- Survival rates for late-stage pancreatic cancer are typically low, with very few patients living beyond a year.
- However, O’Connor was diagnosed at 31 and is now 44, thanks to cutting-edge treatments and research.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Elizabeth O’Connor. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I received a diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer shortly after giving birth to my son, Andrew, at the age of 33.
Instead of experiencing pure joy, I was hit with the devastating news. The words “pancreatic cancer” seemed like a death sentence. The prognosis was bleak, with few patients surviving beyond a year.
I was overwhelmed by anger and depression. Thoughts like “Why me?” and “Will I be able to watch my children grow up?” consumed my mind.
However, against all odds, I am still here 12 years later. Thanks to groundbreaking treatments and ongoing research, I have been able to defy the statistics. Organizations like the nonprofit Stand Up To Cancer have played a crucial role in funding these advancements. Although a cure for cancer may not happen in my lifetime, I firmly believe it is within reach.
Discovery of Cysts and Pregnancy
During my pregnancy, my OB-GYN discovered large cysts on my ovaries. Symptoms such as extreme fatigue and constant nausea led me to seek medical attention, but I attributed these issues to pregnancy itself.
An ultrasound revealed the ovarian cysts when I was 28 weeks pregnant. However, their removal had to wait until after I gave birth. I consulted with a specialist, but the thought of cancer never crossed my mind.
The nausea prevented me from eating, causing my weight to plummet. Hospital visits for fluids became a regular occurrence. Unfortunately, I went into labor prematurely, and my son Andrew was born at 34 weeks, spending a week in the NICU.
Elizabeth O’Connor
After Andrew’s birth, my doctor indicated that my ovaries appeared “really angry,” which prompted him to recommend a hysterectomy. This devastated me, as I had always desired a third child. However, due to fluid in my lungs and abdomen, the situation seemed dire. Ultimately, I made the difficult decision to proceed with the hysterectomy.
The biopsy results of my ovaries revealed a tumor on my pancreas. The oncologist informed me that the cancer had metastasized to my ovaries and hip bone, placing me at stage 4. A doctor friend, who worked at a cancer center, compassionately discussed palliative care options with me and my husband, Patrick.
My greatest fear was hearing a prognosis of only a few months to live. However, my oncologist surprised me by saying that no one can predict the future. This ignited a fire within me, and I decided to begin chemotherapy, determined to see where it led.
Journey of Recurrences
I underwent targeted chemotherapy, which successfully reduced the tumor’s size. This provided an opportunity for radiation and surgery.
By April 2013, my doctors considered me a rare exception among pancreatic cancer patients in terms of
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