Perspectives from Pancreatic Cancer Survivors : Samuel Toovy, DDS

Dentist Samuel Toovy experienced horrible abdominal pain in 2003. After visiting a number of doctors, he was diagnosed with pancreatitis. He wasn't comfortable with that diagnosis since the pain seemed to continue after making adjustments to his diet and lifestyle. In 2006, after more tests and procedures he was still suffering, but even more than before -- he now had internal bleeding. He was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas and met with surgeon, Dr. Howard Reber. He had surgery and began a chemotherapy regimen in 2007. Today he is thankful for his wife who also doubles as his caregiver. Doctor Toovy is back now back at work part-time and is still practicing. Dr. Toovy was introduced to the Hirshberg Foundation at our annual Symposium at UCLA through Dr. Howard Reber who is the Laboratory Director at the Translational Hirshberg Laboratory at UCLA.