In this episode of the Project Purple Podcast, host Dino Verrelli speaks with Carmen Stewart, a pancreatic cancer survivor from across the globe, calling in all the way from Johannesburg, South Africa. Her story is one of perseverance, clarity, and transformation in the face of staggering odds.
Carmen opens up about her whirlwind diagnosis in 2020 at the height of the pandemic, which followed months of persistent pain, varying symptoms, and repeated misdiagnoses, from gastroenteritis and hepatitis. She talks about how she pushed for surgery before lockdown hit in her country, against her doctor’s initial plan, and how she underwent a Whipple procedure alone, with no support system allowed into the hospital due to pandemic restrictions.
She goes into detail about her surgery, saying her surgeon called it a “miracle,” as her tumor had been capped and fully contained, preventing the cancer from spreading. Carmen explains her recovery wasn’t easy—it was complicated by sepsis, delays in chemotherapy, a contraction of COVID-19, and the emotional toll of isolation. Still, she forged ahead, adding that it was the help of natural therapies, the love of and from her daughters, and an unwavering will to survive that kept her going.
Carmen speaks candidly about survivor’s guilt and the reality of life after treatment, which changed drastically for her in many ways. Her perspective is grounded in realism: “If it comes back, I’ll deal with it. But if I’m clear, that’s great.” She discusses how her experience reshaped her life—from managing her health and finishing her degree, to letting go of fear and finding joy in the present.
Her message is clear: trust your instincts, choose the right medical team, and don’t ignore what your body is telling you. Tune in to hear Carmen’s candid conversation about navigating illness during a global crisis, rebuilding after the trauma that comes with this disease, and finding meaning in survival.
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