n this eye-opening episode of the Project Purple Podcast, host Dino Verrelli has a compelling conversation with Amy Johnston of Pennsylvania, a 34-year-old mother of three young kids, who says that listening to her instincts and advocating for herself made all the difference in her journey with pancreatic cancer.
Amy talks about how just a couple of months ago, she was at her healthiest—working out five days a week, eating better, and feeling strong after having her third child. Then, in January, she says she was suddenly hit with severe GI pain during dinner, and immediately knew something was not right.
She describes how she was continually told by her doctors that it was nothing serious, even after asking several times if the problem was related to her pancreas. Frustrated, Amy shares that she switched doctors and hospitals, which eventually led to the discovery of a 1.7 cm tumor. After a biopsy confirmed pancreatic cancer, she recounts the shock of learning the tumor had actually been visible months earlier, but was missed due to poor imaging and assumptions based on her youth.
Choosing to have surgery at the University of Pennsylvania, Amy shares how she underwent a distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy in May. In early June, she began her 12 rounds of chemotherapy and shares candidly about the challenges of treatment and the importance of staying active and positive despite the fatigue and side effects. She also talks about the comfort she’s found in community support, creative outlets like crocheting, and especially in her growing faith, sharing that she plans to be baptized in a few months.
Her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of advocating for yourself and pushing for answers. Amy stresses, “If I hadn’t switched doctors, I could have thought this was a stomach bug.” She encourages others to focus on the facts of their own situation, connect with others facing similar journeys, and maintain hope throughout.
Tune in for an honest and inspiring episode about resilience, motherhood, and faith in the face of pancreatic cancer.
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