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Nora and her husband, Hector, met 39 years ago, got married shortly after, and have been inseparable ever since. In 2021, Hector was diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer, which threw their entire family into navigating a very difficult diagnosis. Nora took on the role of Hector’s advocate and caregiver. This story is shared in memory of Hector, who passed away in 2024. Nora continues to honor his legacy and remains his biggest advocate. Nora was compensated for her time by Ipsen.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult types of cancer to detect and is often diagnosed at an advanced or metastatic stage due to a lack of specific, early symptoms. Emotionally, pancreatic cancer can affect daily life, negatively impacting a patient’s psychological and emotional well-being just as quickly as their physical health. Since the diagnosis is serious with a poor prognosis, people diagnosed and their loved ones experience stress, uncertainty and a mix of other emotions.

For Hector, the first sign he had that something wasn’t quite right was when he started having problems with his stomach. A visit to the GI doctor revealed spots on his pancreas, which he was told were not a big deal. But, after about three more months and numerous visits to the hospital, one day, Nora noticed that Hector’s skin had a yellow hue. The couple rushed to the hospital, where Hector was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic pancreatic cancer. Speaking to the severity of the diagnosis, Nora said, “we both knew what it meant.” It was devastating news for their family, especially after being told nothing was wrong.

But, the couple decided they would not give up. “We’re going to fight it. We’re going to do everything we can,” explains Nora. She made it her mission to become Hector’s best advocate by joining him at all of his doctor’s appointments, and keeping a notebook of everything to remember – from names of doctors to ideas about how she could support Hector with nutrition.

Nora reminds people who are caring for a loved one that it’s important to make time for yourself and maintain your own physical and mental health as a caregiver. She notes that by taking care of yourself, you’re enabling yourself to best support your loved one. For her, she finds respite when listening to music and loves going for hikes to clear her head.

Although Hector and his family had a very difficult diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic cancer, Nora believes in the power of positivity and offers advice to others going through a similar situation: “Don’t give up. There’s always hope.”

Learn more about Nora and Hector’s story:

Sabrina is a lover of nature, mother and grandmother, whose outlook on life is to make every moment count. Sabrina lives with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), which means every day is different depending on the severity of her symptoms, but this doesn’t stop her from doing the things she loves the most. Sabrina was compensated for her time by Ipsen.

Sabrina’s favorite ways to pass the time include family time and enjoying the great outdoors. Growing up in rural Washington state and growing her own family with her husband Jason, the place she calls home is a true source of love and adoration. Sabrina finds herself spending weekends with family camping, hiking, barbequing, and enjoying the natural beauty of where she grew up ─ when she has the energy to do so, and on top of her full-time job and responsibilities as a mother and grandmother.

“You need to make every moment count,” describes Sabrina on her ambition to live life to the fullest. “I want to live life while I can live it. I want to have those experiences with my family. I want to do those things with my kids and my grandkids. Don’t give up hope.”

PBC is a rare, progressive, autoimmune cholestatic liver disease in which bile ducts in the liver are gradually destroyed.¹ The symptoms that impact Sabrina on a daily basis are severe itching (pruritus) and debilitating fatigue. Every day is different but on a typical day, Sabrina lives with symptoms that tend to be invisible to others.

“It can be downright awful,” Sabrina describes her PBC. “I have upper right quadrant pain quite frequently. I have itching. It can happen during the day. There’s no rhyme or reason.”

Sabrina also experiences challenges in her personal ability to access care while living in a rural area. Her local hospital does not have any PBC specialists and Sabrina, similar to many other people living with PBC, often finds herself educating healthcare providers on the disease and advocating for herself. When Sabrina needs to see her hepatologist in Seattle, she and her husband take a seven-hour drive from her home. Advocating for herself includes monitoring her symptoms closely, including checking her blood pressure daily.

Life with PBC for Sabrina has not been easy, but she has developed a support system and leaned on her family and loved ones. Finding a community of other people, especially women, living with PBC has been very important for Sabrina’s journey.

“I’ve met so many people I would have never known that I love dearly,” shares Sabrina on finding her community of others living with PBC. “They’ve become family.”

Learn more about Sabrina and hear her story:

References

1. Kumagi T, et al. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2008; 3:1