Judi’s Story
When Judi Adams woke from surgery on 25 November 2021, she didn’t expect the life-changing news she was about to receive. What began as an exploratory keyhole procedure ended with a major operation to remove her spleen, part of her pancreas, sections of her stomach and more. The diagnosis - Stage 3 pancreatic cancer.
“I woke up with a sinister line of staples running down my chest,” Judi recalls. “My life as I knew it was permanently changed.”
Judi’s journey began with vague symptoms, an occasional stitch, nausea, discomfort in bed and a sudden loss of appetite. “I didn’t think it was anything serious,” she says. But her GP, recognising something was wrong, ordered tests that eventually revealed the tumour nestled behind her spleen.
“I’m incredibly lucky my GP was so thorough,” she says. “Many people aren’t diagnosed until it is too late. That’s why raising awareness is so important.”
Her diagnosis marked the start of a challenging journey, through surgery to chemotherapy and recovery. Judi found herself grappling with the physical toll of treatment - fatigue, neuropathy, memory and hair loss, as well as the emotional weight of a life forever altered.
“There was grief for the person I used to be, for the life I had and the future I had imagined,” she says. “But I found strength in the kindness of others, in nature and the unwavering loyalty of my dog. That kept me going.”
Finding strength through advocacy:
Judi’s determination to help others quickly became her focus. After engaging with the team at PanKind, she received informative resources, like the patient and carer booklet, that provided practical support around her diagnosis. Judi also joined the national pancreatic cancer support group, finding hope and comfort through connecting with others facing similar challenges, either as a carer or as a person with lived experience.
“The group became my lifeline,” says Judi. “It’s a place where you meet people who truly understand. Cancer doesn’t discriminate, it affects people of all ages and backgrounds.”
Motivated to make a difference, Judi became a PanKind ambassador, using her voice to raise awareness and support for others impacted by pancreatic cancer. Her advocacy has included talking to newly diagnosed patients and their families, public speaking, media interviews and leading campaigns like Light It Purple and the global #HelloPancreas initiative.
The #HelloPancreas Campaign:
This November, as part of World Pancreatic Cancer Month, Judi is championing the #HelloPancreas campaign to raise awareness of the disease’s often-overlooked symptoms.
“The biggest challenge is that people don’t even know what the pancreas does,” she says. “We need to educate people so that people are diagnosed earlier”
With 85% of pancreatic cancer cases diagnosed at Stage 4, Judi knows the stakes are high. “If even one person hears my story and seeks help sooner, it could change their future.”
A message of hope:
Despite the challenges of living with pancreatic cancer, Judi continues to advocate for research, awareness and better outcomes for patients and carers, knowing that her voice can make a difference.
“Pancreatic cancer is brutal, but it’s not always the end,” she says. “I’ve met so many inspiring people through this journey and together, we’re working to change the narrative. I want people to know there’s hope.”
“25 November 2024 marks three years since my diagnosis and I am grateful every day that my diagnosis was early enough to enable me to have a better outcome.”
