Episode 275 - Surviving Pancreatic Cancer with Dr. Helene Andrews-Polymenis

Meet Dr. Helene Andrews-Polynemis, a scientist and tenured professor at Texas A&M University. Helene's journey in the medical and biology fields took an unexpected turn when she faced a personal battle with pancreatic cancer.
In this episode, Helene shares her experience navigating diagnostic tests, revealing a tumor, followed by smaller tumors and abscesses on her pancreas and surrounding organs in late 2019.
Amid aggressive chemotherapy cycles, Helene discusses the additional hurdles posed by the pandemic, including her husband waiting in the car during treatments. Tragically, her father received a pancreatic cancer diagnosis shortly after hers, and due to pandemic restrictions, she had to say goodbye without being there for him in person due to travel restrictions and their conditions with pancreatic cancer.
Despite these hardships, Helene's determination centered on witnessing her two children graduate high school and college. Helene delves into the scientific aspects of cancer, discussing genetic mutations, biological responses to chemotherapy, and the intricate world of clinical trials.
Join us for a thoughtful conversation with Helene Andrews, a remarkable pancreatic cancer survivor, on this week's episode of the Project Purple Podcast.
If you’d like to donate to Project Purple’s mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit www.projectpur....
Connect with Helene on X:
/ hpolymenis
To learn more about Project Purple, visit www.projectpur... or follow us on social media at these links:
/ run4projectpurple
/ projectpurple
/ run4purple
/ @project_purple

[@karlchance9326]

❤❤❤

[@soonerbmama6727]

Valuable information, insight. Much appreciation for the Project Purple Podcast.

[@Flamingo5959]

Amazing!!! Congratulations. Thank you for sharing 💜

[@yvettebruneau4757]

Thank You

[@yukselkiziltas1122]

My dad was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer September 2023. He is going through Chemotherapy. He is stage 3/4. Doctor says that whipple surgery not possible or highly risky since tumor is adjacent to arteries. He has done 11 infusions, cancer is not spreading at this point. He does have cancer in his backbone, which they will do radiation to kill it soon. So, I am wondering with chemo, if tumor shrinks and surgery is possible at all? He is 73.

[@project_purple]

Hi. I wish we had a more precise answer, but the truth is, everyone is different. We recommend continuing to follow your care team's instructions and maybe reaching out to a high volume center for a second opinion. That will either provide alternatives, or, if both doctors are aligned, give you confirmation on how to handle moving forward.

[@candycribb]

Thanks for sharing!!! Prayers for your Fight.