My name is Ben and I am a Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer survivor. But I can tell you, with certainty, it wasn’t my identity with cancer that got me through the past few years, but my relationship to it.  You see, my goal wasn’t to fight with or just accept my cancer diagnosis. It was to outsmart it! 

Trust me, I know the realities of Pancreatic Cancer. I’ve experienced the pain, fear and discomfort from treatments that come along with the illness. I’ve read the statistics and have seen the look on people’s faces when I told them the news. I’ve even made and lost some friends with pancreatic cancer along the way. No, this is not a disease to take lightly. However, I am here to tell you there is hope.

I knew from the beginning that if I were to have any chance of outsmarting the cancer, I could not – would not, be a victim. I didn’t ask ‘Why me?’. I asked ‘Why not me?’ I believe having a positive mindset and surrounding myself with support from family and friends is having a huge impact on my outcome. This isn’t speculation. There is ample scientific evidence to support this. There is also no shortage of evidence on the very large role diet and physical activity plays on health. These are all things I took very seriously and immediately made fundamental changes to my lifestyle. It not only helped me cope, it made me feel like I had some control. Yes, I followed the advice from my doctors. They were critical to my recovery thus far. However, I knew the role I played was just as important. Another reason I have hope is with respect to emerging cancer research. Not only are continuous discoveries being made about the disease, there are so many promising therapies on the horizon. I will continue to embrace these as wins and continue to advocate.

As I approach my Whipple anniversary, I can’t help but contemplate how I have come full circle. From my devastating diagnosis in the Fall of 2021 to my current status of ‘no evidence of disease,’ I not only have a new appreciation for life but have learned what’s important to me and for me. Early in my diagnosis, I thought my tree climbing days as an arborist were over but just recently, I competed and came 4^th in the ISA Atlantic Tree Climbing Competition. Although I am now retired, that will not stop me from living and continuing to do the things that bring me joy for as long as I can. That includes climbing trees for the sheer fun of it!

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