Surviving and Thriving: My Journey Beyond Rare Cancer

I’ve survived one of the rarest cancers out there.

I’ve had more surgeries than I care to count, lost my pancreas, gained insulin, and kept my joy.

Now, I’m cancer-free, and here’s what I know for sure:

Give up the junk.

Give up the people and things that weigh you down.

But never give up on yourself.

Never give up on fun, love, or finding joy—especially in the hard seasons.

Having survived Distal Cholangiocarcinoma—a rare bile duct cancer that affects only about 2,000 people in the U.S. each year—and cancer that invaded my pancreas, I know how vital awareness and early diagnosis are. There are many rare cancers out there; the earlier you catch them, the better your chances. Listen to your body. Be your own advocate.

On January 2, 2019, at age 49, I woke up with symptoms. By January 11, I was diagnosed with cancer in my pancreas. On January 24, I underwent Whipple surgery. The years that followed were a blur of challenges and determination: Whipple revision in July 2020, placement of a gastric stimulator in July 2021, major revision surgery in October 2021, and eight rounds of oral chemotherapy in 2019.

In December 2022, a screening CT revealed that something had returned in my pancreas. In January 2023, I had a total pancreatectomy. That surgery made me a Type 1 insulin-dependent diabetic—but also meant I could never again have pancreatic cancer. I like to imagine my pancreas sitting in a research lab somewhere, helping someone else fight this disease.

Along the way, I learned I carry the BRCA2 mutation, which increases the risk for pancreatic, breast, and ovarian cancers. In 2024, I had my ovaries removed to eliminate one of those risks. In January 2025, I had a nipple-sparing mastectomy. Earlier this year, I turned off my gastric stimulator to see if my body had healed on its own—and it had. In June, I had it removed entirely.

Then, just last week on August 5, 2025, I had what I believe will be my final major surgery: removing the expanders from my mastectomy and placing implants. A chapter closed.

I am profoundly grateful for the specialists at MUSC—especially my GI surgeon, who I believe saved my life. Yesterday, when I learned he is leaving to practice in another state, I felt an unexpected wave of loss. But I also felt a sense of divine timing: my surgeries are complete, my loop is closed, and it’s time for the next chapter—the best chapter.

For years, there’s been a quiet fear in the back of my mind. That fear is gone. I’ve proven I am the outlier. I can’t waste the beautiful life I’ve been given. I need to live it—fully, joyfully, and with purpose. I want to add light, happiness, and love to the lives of others, and I know I deserve that same love in return.

I’m cancer-free now, and most days, I don’t even think about my cancer history. It doesn’t define me. But I share it as a reminder: you never know what tomorrow holds.

If life has taught me one thing, it’s this—

Give up the junk. Give up people and things that aren’t good for you. But never give up on yourself. Never give up on learning, on fun, on love, on finding joy—even in the most challenging moments.

Life has never been better. Live it.

💚MaryNell (aka 🍯 Honey)