Joining the Project Purple Podcast from sunny Venice, Florida, originally from Wisconsin, pancreatic cancer survivor Rhonda Vavrek sits down with host Dino Verrelli to share her remarkable journey through a changing diagnosis and what it truly means to keep going when the road is anything but straight.
Rhonda shares how, in June 2012, what began as upper back pain and jaundice led to a pancreatic cancer diagnosis: something she never expected after a lifetime of good health. Initially staged at 2/2A, she qualified for the Whipple procedure and underwent chemotherapy before surgery. Post-Whipple, however, doctors discovered the cancer had metastasized to her liver and lungs, advancing her to Stage 4 and giving her an estimated six months to live. As she emphasizes, though, “Stage 4 does not mean we give up,” a mantra that carried her forward.
She reflects on the many twists and turns that followed, including FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy, liver ablation, lung and rib surgeries, and more than five surgeries and 50 CT scans in total. Now NED since 2018, Rhonda speaks about what carried her through: an incredible team of doctors, surgeons, and nurses; her deep faith; and the unwavering support of her husband of nearly 45 years, whom she credits with pushing her forward when she wanted to stop. She also opens up about survivor’s guilt, scanxiety, and the importance of truly knowing your body and advocating for yourself.
Rhonda mentions the role humor played in helping her cope, including naming her chemo port “George Clooney,” and why setting goals, giving yourself grace, and tuning out the noise of statistics can make all the difference. Her story is a powerful reminder that while pancreatic cancer is terrifying, the monster she describes it as does not get to take over your life.
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