Author C.C. Scott once said, “The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it.” That is something that is certainly true if you or a loved one has ever faced a cancer diagnosis and come out healthy and stronger on the other side.
And it’s something that Michael Perlin has experienced personally. At age 64, he discovered that he had pancreatic cancer, something that, according to the American Cancer Society , affects around 3% of those diagnosed with cancer in the United States. More men than women tend to be diagnosed with this form of cancer, and also as the American Cancer Society reports, almost all patients are older than 45 (but the majority are at least 65 years old).
Perlin was right on the cusp of that age group when he was diagnosed.
A Surprising Diagnosis
The pancreas is an organ that aids in digestion and helps to regulate blood sugar as well. Abnormal cells in the pancreas can grow and divide until a malignant tumor or tumors are formed within the organ.
As the American Cancer Society states, risk factors for developing pancreatic cancer include tobacco use, being overweight, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis and workplace exposure to certain chemicals. Family history can also come into play.
Although Perlin had always been healthy with no major problems (“I had never even been to a hospital as a patient before,” he says), he did come with a family history.
“I didn’t think I was at high risk for cancer, although my biological father died at age 80 from pancreatic cancer,” he tells Parade .
So, when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he says he was “quite surprised.”
Related: Pancreatic Cancer Patient Shares Her Top Four Strategies for Coping With Her 'Scary' Diagnosis and Treatment
The First Symptom He Noticed Before He Was Diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer
According to the Cleveland Clinic , symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include jaundice, or yellowing of the skin, dark urine, upper abdominal pain and itchy skin, among others.
For Perlin, the very first symptom that he experienced was jaundice. “I turned yellow all over and I had a terrible itching sensation over my entire body,” he says. “I did pay attention to this, and that is why I visited my primary care physician.”
When Perlin first learned that he had pancreatic cancer, he says he was shocked. “But in a way, it was a relief just knowing what was wrong,” he explains.
As it turned out, the tumor in Perlin’s pancreas was putting pressure on a bile duct, which caused the jaundice. “I became very tired, had little appetite, and the itching got so bad that I wanted to rip my skin off,” he shares.
Related: The Early Pancreatic Cancer Signs Most People Miss, According to a Gastroenterologist
Going Through Treatment
Treated by Dr. Peter Ledakis, MD , at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Perlin says that once the shock wore off from his initial diagnosis, reality started to set in. He was told he would have to have a procedure, which he was nervous about, “but I had confidence that the team of doctors involved would fix me,” he shares.
Perlin explains that his treatment started with something called “whipple” surgery, “where my surgeon removed about half of my pancreas,” he says.
After that, Perlin was in the hospital for a week following the procedure. He recovered at home for about four months, and up next was chemotherapy and a mix of other treatments.
“I had a port surgically installed in my chest to make the infusions easier to insert,” he says. “I went to the infusion center once a week for about three months. After that, I started radiation therapy for about three more months. During that time, I took an oral chemodrug. After the months of radiation, I started back on the infusions for another three months. After all the treatments, I was given a drug called Creon, which is made up of a pig pancreas. It contained enzymes that help with digestion.”
Related: The One Thing You Should Never, Ever Do if You Want To Avoid Getting Pancreatitis, According to GI Docs
Feeling ‘Great’ Today
As it turns out, the involved treatment process was more than worth it. Perlin says that he “feels great” today—six years later and now 70 years old.
“It’s as if it never happened,” he shares. He knows he was extremely lucky that the cancer was caught early. “The doctors told me that it was less than stage two,” he says. “Thank goodness for the jaundice that tipped us off that something was wrong since pancreatic cancer doesn’t really have symptoms on its own .”
Today, his cancer is “completely gone,” with a team of doctors who have told him that he is cured and that this type of cancer does not return. "Great news!” he says elatedly.
Even though he has been assured that he’s in the clear, Perlin has made some lifestyle changes as a result of his cancer ordeal. He says that before the cancer, he used to drink a few beers daily, “but now I only drink beer maybe twice a week and I limit it to two beers."
“In general, I would say that I am more conscious of my health,” he continues. “This experience has made me realize that life is short and I can live a fuller, more meaningful life if I keep myself healthy.”
The cancer experience additionally inspired Perlin to retire. “I was a contractor/carpenter for 45 years, so I decided to turn my attention toward woodworking and creating my art,” he explains. “I was an art major in college.”
With his new lease on life, Perlin says that the only words of wisdom he can give is to always be conscious of what your body is saying.
“If there is the slightest doubt about what is going on inside, see a doctor immediately,” he advises. “Also, try to live life to the fullest and do what you love.”
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