• —

How Did a Veteran’s Quiet Day Turn into a Life-Altering Diagnosis?

Picture this: a Navy veteran, accustomed to the clamor of service and routine hustle, finds herself in an unusually tranquil day at home. The 71-year-old Mary Jo Burkhard began experiencing what many might brush off as minor ailments — discomfort in her back and chest. But Burkhard, with a keen awareness that men’s and women’s symptoms for cardiac events differ, decided not to ignore these signs.

What followed was a journey that veered sharply from what she expected. After a visit to urgent care and a hospital trip spurred by nausea from a prescribed painkiller, Burkhard braced for the possibility of a heart attack. Instead, the CAT scan revealed something far graver: a three-inch cancerous tumor on her pancreas. In a turn of events that can only be described as serendipitous, what seemed a cardiac scare turned out to be an early warning for one of the deadliest cancers.

Why is Diagnosing Pancreatic Cancer So Challenging?

Pancreatic cancer holds a notorious reputation — it’s the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Dr. Suneel Kamath, a GI oncologist uninvolved in Burkhard’s care, explains why: the symptoms are easily mistaken for benign conditions. A bit of acid reflux here, vague abdominal discomfort there, it’s startlingly easy to attribute early warning signs to everyday ailments.

This stealthy nature means many only discover the cancer at Stage IV, when it’s already woven its web throughout the body, leaving little room for effective treatment. Burkhard’s astute decision to pursue medical care for what seemed an unrelated issue afforded her a rare advantage: an early Stage II diagnosis, which drastically improved her treatment options.

What Treatment Path Did Burkhard Face?

Upon her diagnosis, Burkhard’s initial thoughts were not of herself, but of her family. The prospect of leaving behind her children and grandchildren weighed heavily on her. Yet, her military training instilled a resilience that prepared her for the grueling months ahead.

Dr. Alexander Itskovich, overseeing her treatment, outlined an aggressive yet hopeful plan. Surgery was imperative to remove the mass, followed by radiation and chemotherapy. Speed was of the essence. Within days, Burkhard was thrust into a rigorous chemotherapy schedule — every three days, over more than four months. The toll was immense, sapping her energy and often requiring assistance for everyday tasks. But the results spoke volumes: the tumor halved in size, paving the way for surgical removal.

The surgery itself was a marathon, lasting over nine hours. Yet, Itskovich’s skill ensured the tumor’s complete extraction. For Burkhard, recovery was as much a mental challenge as it was physical, the bland puree diet a particular nemesis, likened humorously to an austere military regime.

Can One Ever Truly Be Free of Pancreatic Cancer?

“I was so scared,” Burkhard admitted, capturing the universal dread of awaiting test results post-treatment. Her courage bore fruit — the scans were clear, granting her a reprieve, though a cautious one. While she cannot yet be declared cancer-free, the current “no evidence of disease” status is a beacon of hope.

Her vigilance continues, with regular scans planned over the next five years to ensure any recurrence is caught early. It’s a waiting game, but one she approaches with her characteristic grit and optimism.

How is Burkhard Embracing Her Second Chance?

For Mary Jo Burkhard, life post-treatment is not merely a return to normalcy but a celebration of resilience. Her activities with Veterans Affairs and community service have resumed, punctuated by spirited flag-raising ceremonies and plans to visit her grandchildren.

Her gratitude extends to the medical teams that stood by her through this journey. “Everybody gets a hug,” she quips, underscoring her infectious positivity and appreciation.

In Mary Jo Burkhard’s story, we’re reminded of life’s unpredictable turns and the power of vigilance. Her journey underscores a truth — sometimes, it’s the unanticipated alarms that lead us to the most crucial discoveries.