The diagnosis of pancreatic cancer stopped my world. It challenged my body and sense of self. The emotional and physical journey was relentless and daunting. Fighting this disease necessitated more than adhering to medical treatments and procedures.
In the pursuit of ask cessful outcome, I made it my mission to acquire knowledge of medical jargon, the purpose of targeted treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and the Whipple procedure, and understanding my complex nutritional needs.
I learned new truths of my own capabilities in the battle against thus disease. It was transformative. Developing my toolbox of coping strategies, wrapping myself around the comforting hands of my support system, and learning valuable lessons, helped me to navigate an unexpected situation fraught with vulnerability and uncertainty.
This book offers pancreatic patients, their support systems, and health professionals a deep understanding of what issues, potential roadblocks, and what positive steps can be taken to keep going in the face of impossible odds. In this memoir, I not only write about surviving cancer, I offer a path of resilience, optimism, and hope.
The diagnosis of pancreatic cancer stopped my world. It challenged my body and sense of self. The emotional and physical journey was relentless and daunting. Fighting this disease necessitated more than adhering to medical treatments and procedures.
In the pursuit of ask cessful outcome, I made it my mission to acquire knowledge of medical jargon, the purpose of targeted treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and the Whipple procedure, and understanding my complex nutritional needs.
I learned new truths of my own capabilities in the battle against thus disease. It was transformative. Developing my toolbox of coping strategies, wrapping myself around the comforting hands of my support system, and learning valuable lessons, helped me to navigate an unexpected situation fraught with vulnerability and uncertainty.
This book offers pancreatic patients, their support systems, and health professionals a deep understanding of what issues, potential roadblocks, and what positive steps can be taken to keep going in the face of impossible odds. In this memoir, I not only write about surviving cancer, I offer a path of resilience, optimism, and hope.
Introduction
Before my diagnosis, I was a healthy, sixty-nine-year-old woman, 5’-2”, and about a one hundred thirty pounds. So, vertically challenged and very slightly overweight. I was a nonsmoker and drank alcoholic beverages in moderation. The only medical issues I had were hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) and elevated cholesterol levels. I am an anxious person. I have had a life-long phobia of going to see doctors and dentists. I worry and engage in catastrophic thinking, days before blood work is scheduled and even before minor medical procedures. I fear throwing up; I try anything to prevent this from happening.
I am a responsible individual who works diligently to achieve my goals. I am compassionate and caring. I am bubbly and outgoing. I am also verbally impulsive and emotionally reactive. I ruminate about things people have done that irritate me. I hold grudges. I never forget a slight or insult.
I am a workaholic. I retired as a school psychologist after thirty-four years of service. I subsequently became restless without the daily routine and structure that was my life. I returned to school and earned my doctorate. Later, I worked as a school psychologist at a vocational high school. This was supposed to be a part-time position, but I worked almost full-time due to the high demands for testing. I was often under stress.
Nevertheless, I loved my job. I enjoyed kibitzing with the kids and found great fulfillment in my work. My son and daughter-in law gave my husband and me a grandson. He has given us so much joy. Life was darn good…. –until my diagnosis.
Hearing that someone has pancreatic cancer is likely to evoke strong emotions. It certainly did for me when I was diagnosed a little more than a year ago. I have learned strategies and developed ways to cope with a difficult treatment protocol. Suppose you or someone xi you love has been diagnosed with this disease. In that case, certain steps can help you achieve the best possible results as you navigate through the complex issues of indecipherable medical jargon and intricate treatment protocols. Despite this onslaught of protocols and procedures, there are ways to cope with the physical and psychological problems that are likely to occur along the way.
I am writing this book for myself and for others. As I write these words, I am rejoicing in the accomplishments I have made this year. In consideration of the fortuitous events that occurred along the way, and my recovery despite the odds, I still find it hard to believe I got through everything that was thrown at me.
I have changed. I am stronger now, having faced and confronted complex challenges. I appreciate life more. I no longer take my health for granted. I am trying to be more present in the moment, with less overthinking about the past and worrying about the future.
Readers will be interested to know that I will use many medical terms that may be unfamiliar. Anyone looking for a clarifying definition can consult the Glossary that I have provided near the end of this book. I hope that you will obtain a better understanding of what is involved in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Not everyone who is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer will have the same experiences. That is important to recognize. However, through my medical journey, I learned important lessons. I want to share these experiences with you.
With a diagnosis that is burdened with challenges and uncertain ties, this book seeks to illuminate pathways to resilience, and positive thinking. This is a book of hope.
Status: Warrior Woman — Marla J. Schreffler, PsyD
Status: Warrior Woman by Marla J. Schreffler is a deeply personal, quietly powerful memoir that documents far more than survival—it maps the emotional, psychological, and intellectual terrain of living through pancreatic cancer with clarity and resolve. Drawing from her decades-long career as a school psychologist and her lived experience as a patient, Schreffler writes with a voice that is both informed and profoundly human.
What sets this book apart from many illness memoirs is its refusal to rely solely on sentiment. Schreffler approaches her diagnosis with the same analytical rigor she has applied to her professional life, educating herself on medical terminology, treatment protocols, and complex procedures such as chemotherapy, radiation, and the Whipple surgery. This pursuit of knowledge becomes an act of agency—an insistence on participating actively in her own care rather than being reduced to a passive patient.
Equally compelling is the emotional honesty with which she explores vulnerability. The narrative does not romanticize resilience; instead, it acknowledges fear, uncertainty, and the relentless fatigue that accompanies prolonged treatment. Yet, the tone never slips into despair. Schreffler frames resilience as something built deliberately—through coping strategies, emotional tools, and the unwavering presence of a support system. Family, professional identity, and community are woven seamlessly into the narrative, reinforcing the idea that survival is rarely a solitary act.
The prose is clear, accessible, and purposeful, making the book especially valuable for a wide audience. Pancreatic cancer patients and caregivers will find practical insight and reassurance, while healthcare professionals may gain a rare, empathetic perspective on the patient experience beyond clinical settings. Importantly, the memoir avoids prescribing a one-size-fits-all formula for hope; instead, it offers perspective, preparation, and permission to face the journey honestly.
Status: Warrior Woman is not just about confronting illness—it is about reclaiming selfhood in the face of it. Grounded, compassionate, and quietly empowering, this memoir stands as a testament to informed courage and the strength that emerges when knowledge, support, and determination intersect.