From chemotherapy to surgery: a pancreatic cancer patient’s story
Stress, a heavy workload, and constant time pressure are often part of a teacher’s professional life, particularly in the upper grades of secondary school, when students are preparing for their final examinations. Kerstin Neuhaus knew this kind of pressure well. “One week before the winter holidays in February 2020, I started feeling unwell. At first, I thought the pressure in my abdomen might be caused by a minor stomach problem,” the 51-year-old recalls. However, when the pain became increasingly severe and began to radiate to her back, the sports and biology teacher decided to see her family doctor.
Her doctor immediately ordered an ultrasound of the upper abdomen and a gastroscopy. The findings prompted further diagnostic tests, particularly because her blood results were also concerning: levels of certain enzymes were significantly elevated, indicating an inflammatory process. Further examinations at a hospital in Wurzen finally provided an answer. “A tumor was found in the head of my pancreas. The news came as a real shock to me and my family,” Kerstin recalls. At the same time, however, the diagnosis strengthened her determination to fight the disease. “I want to beat this cancer,” she said confidently from the very beginning.
The first stage of treatment was chemotherapy. Kerstin underwent twelve treatment cycles at two-week intervals at a hospital in Saxony. Thanks to her good physical condition, she says she tolerated the treatment relatively well. “I hardly experienced any fatigue, I was able to eat normally, and I kept myself active by walking. I had always been an active person, and I didn’t want the disease to change that,” she says.
After every chemotherapy session, Kerstin rewarded herself with something she always looked forward to: homemade noodle soup.
The treatment was effective: the tumor in her pancreas became smaller, while four lesions in her liver also decreased in size or were no longer detectable. Despite this response, the hospital where Kerstin was being treated advised against surgery and recommended continuing chemotherapy.
Kerstin, however, wanted to explore the possibility of surgical treatment and decided to seek a second opinion. Her health insurance provider helped her get in touch with another medical center.
Second opinion
A few days later, Kerstin met Prof. Dr. Michael Bartels, Head of the Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery at Helios Park Hospital Leipzig. She describes him as “a very approachable doctor who is also able to look at the situation from the patient’s perspective.”
Prof. Bartels recommended surgery and agreed to perform the procedure himself. The operation was complex and lengthy. During the procedure, the head of Kerstin’s pancreas, the duodenum, and the gallbladder were removed.
Both Prof. Bartels and Kerstin were very pleased with the outcome of the operation. “After twelve days, I was able to leave the hospital tumor-free,” she recalls.
Kerstin remembers not only that moment, but also the attentive and professional approach of her doctor and the hospital staff. “They all have my gratitude and deepest respect,” she says.
After surgery
While still in the hospital, Kerstin began actively working on regaining her physical strength. She climbed stairs and took long walks around the hospital building, continuing her exercise program during subsequent rehabilitation. After some time, she estimated that she had regained around 70% of her previous physical capacity. She also gradually began to regain the weight she had lost during chemotherapy and surgery. At the same time, Kerstin understood that her body needed time to recover from such intensive treatment. “But my goal remains the same. I want to be fully back at work by the beginning of the next school year,” she says. During her recovery, Kerstin also discovered a new hobby: horse riding.
Kerstin also emphasizes how grateful she is to the people who were there for her at exactly the right time, providing the support and strength she needed during this difficult period.
She understands that after her illness she will need to adjust the pace of her life: “I need to learn to take better care of myself and listen to my body.” She says that the experience has made her more reflective and, at the same time, more relaxed about life.
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