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Hello! I’m Jennifer Calaprice.
I am married to a 4+ Year Survivor of Recurrent Pancreatic Cancer. Chris was diagnosed in 2003. He was 36 years old.
The floor below my feet had vanished. And, just as quickly, our world was turned upside-down. My only concern was doing what was necessary to keep Chris alive. Luckily, the cancer was caught early.
The months following diagnosis were a constant stream of hospitals, doctor appointments, surgeries, medications, recovery, chemotherapy, good days and bad days. The successful Whipple surgery, in particular, was an extensive and complicated surgery and recovery for Chris. He was lucky to have received such an option. Three months after surgery, due to the tenaciousness of pancreatic cancer, Chris started his chemotherapy regimen. Three months after that a scan glowed positive for cancer. My worst nightmare was coming true. I was terrified and furious and sad. Lucky for me my sister was a phone call away. Lucky for all of us an adjustment in Chris’ chemotherapy regimen proved successful in eradicating the cancerous cells.
Chris has since been diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer, and has become an insulin dependant diabetic (a potential condition post-Whipple). Luckily, the melanoma was removed with clear margins and he is now maintaining excellent blood glucose levels. Chris continues to undergo chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer and will, quite possibly, for the rest of his life. Needless to say there are many doctors on my Christmas baking list, all of them so deserving.
My husband is lucky to be alive. His strength of mind, body, and soul continues to amaze me. He is lucky to have the best and most experienced doctors and nurses in the world. We are lucky to have our wonderful support group of friends and family. Surviving this without them is unimaginable.
Many people are not as lucky.
Chris and I remain positive and are enjoying our life and our time together, more than ever before.
He is currently 100% cancer-free.
We are lucky.
Please help us spread awareness and raise funds for pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer death in the United States, yet it receives only 1% of our National Cancer Institute research funds.