life
5 YEARS STRONG
Louis Baldachino celebrates his 5-year survivor anniversary since being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July 2015, despite having been given just 2-6 months to live.. Here he shares his story of how he never lost hope.
BY LOUIS BALDACHINO THE DIAGNOSIS
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his time 5 years ago I was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer and was basically facing a 2 to 6-month chance of survival according to statistics. The diagnosis was clearly heading towards having the worst possible outcome. Statistics showed that the overall 5-year survival rate (for all stages) was only 5%. It was simply a terrifying prospect! I still now find it emotional and frightening to read the diagnosis of the CUN (Clinica Universidad de Navarra) Pamplona medical report. At the time of my diagnosis, I still had a young family and it was obviously the most difficult time of my life. I remember I just cried my eyes out every day for the following couple of weeks! But I also remember taking the most important decision of my life – that I was never going to lose hope and I was never going to let this horrible disease win the battle. 32
The following 5 years of my life after my diagnosis is the story I want to share with others. I would like to use my experience and faith throughout these years to add my grain of sand and inspire, in any way possible, other people to stay determined, positive and to never lose hope in whatever
I was facing a 2 to 6-month chance of survival. health issue they may have to fight. In July 2015 in the context of a pulmonary thromboembolism and bilateral deep vein thrombosis I was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer with advanced pancreatic ducal adenocarcinoma which had already infiltrated the spleen, abdominal cavity, left adrenal gland and gastric wall.
UNDERGOING TREATMENT On 3rd August 2015 I started chemotherapy treatment following the Folfoxiri scheme for 3 months ending in October 2015. This was followed by 1 month of chemoradiotherapy from 28th October to 27th November. Scans done in early December showed he tumor had incredibly shrunk over 50% and the possibility of surgery became a reality! I kept reminding myself, never lose hope. In January 2016 the 10hour surgery was carried out (distal pancreatectomy, partial gastrectomy, splenectomy, and left adrenalectomy). With surgery, the survival chances did increase but still the overall forecast was depressing. Post-surgery revaluation revealed lesions in the retro umbilical and prevesical regions. For the next 10 months I was treated with 3 different intravenous chemotherapy treatments (carried out in CUN Pamplona and Madrid) but blood analysis and scans showed that the disease did ‘not go away’. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2020
