Pancreatic cancer survivor was given four months to live; six years later she shares her story

At age 69, Pam Sander had lived a wonderful life. A former teacher and lifelong St. Louis resident, Pam had been married to her soulmate, Roy, for almost 50 years. “We finish each other’s sentences,” Pam laughs. “We’ve gotten to be the typical old married couple.”

After going to the doctor with stomach pain, Pam learned she had pancreatic cancer. “I asked the doctor how long somebody usually lives with this,” Pam recalls. “She said about four months.”

After realizing she wouldn’t make it to 70, Roy was overcome with sadness. But Pam took the opportunity to reflect on how wonderful her life had been: “How lucky I had been to live my whole life with someone I loved. With children that I loved. With friends that I love…so we didn’t cry anymore. We just got on with gettin’ on.”

As Pam tried to come to terms with her diagnosis, her doctor presented her with some potentially exciting news: she was eligible for a clinical trial of a new form of targeted radiation therapy, known as MRIdian, developed by ViewRay.

Shortly after treatment, Pam learned that her tumor had not grown. “I felt like I could exhale,” she says. “Like we could live our lives again.”

Now six years after treatment, Pam is one of an incredibly small number of pancreatic cancer survivors who has lived more than five years. She attributes the clinical trial using MRIdian to saving her life: “I [feel] proud to be part of history,” says Pam. “If this can help other people, wouldn’t that be wonderful? It just made [me] feel like [I was] doing something worthwhile… I thank the doctors and that machine for being my saviors.”

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[SheDaresLIVE]

What a strong lady! I am an inoperable stage 4 pancreatic cancer survivor since May 22 and have only had two sessions of chemo, and no radiation or trials, however I am still here and smashing it so there is hope for everyone. Diet and exercise make a massive difference. I’ve documented my journey since diagnosis on my YouTube channel. Xxx

[Jess-srjw]

My little brother has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer stage 4. He has just struggled his 2nd chemo. Please pray he makes it thru. I say he is my little brother because it's only us that's left. We are very close and have always been there for each other. I'm truly trying not to cry in front of him but it's so difficult 😢

[K-qvjk]

My dad was diagnosed with metastatic pancreas cancer (May 10), but until now he has not been scheduled for his chemo because the doctor sent his specimen for biopsy to another hospital for retesting.
Can you all also pray for him that he will overcome this? I believe that the Lord will heal my father, so please include him in your prayers. My father's age is 53, and we are three siblings; our youngest sibling is only 18 y/o, I am also only 22 y/o, and our other sibling is 20 y/o. & my mom is also a highblood; we have not yet repaid our dad's sacrifice for us so that we can study and grow up well. We still want to experience the good life and do more for him. Your prayer is a very big help for me and my dad. So please include Dad in your prayers. Thank you!

[mypsychology]

Prayer warriors please pray for me. Im 23 and I've just noticed a hard lump on my upper left stomach. I don't know what to expect and I don't feel prepared either for what the doctor will have to say.Please pray for me.

[emilypinto]

My goodness I love Pam. She deserves the world.

[jellybean]

Wow. I didn't think there were survivors for this cancer. This is fabulous news.
Thanks, Katie.

[SatanCruz]

Your story helped me today! Just started chemo. Thanks

[FatpimpTsu]

My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer 😢in September… its almost March and he still alive and fighting!! Chemo and new diet has gave him some hope!! GOD IS AMAZING!!!!

[camilleschoonover]

Beautiful story! I have cyst on my pancreas and I have to be monitored yearly!! Hope and pray I don’t get cancer but you gave me hope in your wonderful video!! Bless you!!!❤️

[yukselkiziltas]

Hello everyone, my dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, between stage 2-3 in August 2023. We have gone through the initial 4 chemo treatments and had some success. Tumor shrank just a little. After 4 more treatments, the tumor has not shrunken or grown. Issue has been eating and keeping weight. Lot of gas and bloating. We are now trying to improve his diet hoping for better results in 3 months. What if anything you guys or anyone recommend that helped deal with it. I hope whoever is dealing with cancer survive and live long life!

[irishpixierose]

This is a wonderful story. Pan I'm very happy for you. One of my best friends was diagnosed a couple months ago and given great odds. Hospice is now in home. My friend was to start treatment, but it spread before they could begin 😢🙏❤️💔

[Inahwang]

Very happy to see such a lovely lady enjoy her later years of her life peacefully
She deserves it
I wish the same for my mom

[fabialvarez]

An ad for cancer treatment just doesn't sit right with me.

[Jasonrcsd]

My uncle a retired Lt. Colonel in the Marines who flew Marine One (Carter, Reagan etc) was diagnosed with stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer a year ago. He’s been married for almost 50 yrs. I still have the jar of jelly beans that President Reagan signed and gave to him to give me. Tonight I cried…it just hit me that there is no cure. They are very much into “quality of life”. They cherish each morning they wake up and tell each other they love them. I love you uncle Otis 😢

[introvert]

My husband died last week.Initially we were told there was no indication the cancer has spread, then the following day were told a different story -- he only got days or weeks to live! Another couple of days later, we were told he only got about 3 days to live and had to stop all his medications, be sent home, and just give him something that will help with the pain and sickness. I was shattered.

[margaretallman]

I am happy for Pam and her family. However, this story is missing so much information, i.e. what stage she was in when diagnosed, size of tumor, location of tumor, type of pancreas cancer, why were traditional treatments such as chemo, radiation, and Whipple surgery skipped in favor of going straight to a clinical trial where it's a 50/50 chance you get the real thing vs a placebo. This is pretty shoddy reporting.

[Bushcraft]

My wife has stage 4 pancreas liver lung cancer hair falling out very sick weak falls down we pray daily

[donnabaardsen]

Ok, now THIS is a well done story based on reality and long term results, about a cancer survivor. NOT someone a year or two into the battle. Good for her. By the way, it's not about "lucky, " it's about being blessed.

[PeaceCalm]

Anyone old cancer survivors?? My father 67 years old. Scared of chemo. I hv heard al negative of cancer treatments in old people. Now hes active .

[tammywilson]

I am a 14 year survivor of pancreas cancer. I had one relapse and then i was inoperable and had chemo and radiation. Should i be over having another relapse? I had a distal pancreadectomy in 2010 recurrence 8 months later.