When Leigh woke one morning with pain across her chest, she initially put it down to a tough gym session or perhaps the lingering effects of a night out.
Life was busy, and like many Australians, she was balancing the demands of family, career and the invisible efforts of keeping a household running smoothly.
But Leigh had always trusted her instincts when something didn’t feel right. That decision to listen to her body would become life-changing.
Her experience is now helping raise pancreatic cancer awareness in Australia, reminding others that early symptoms can be subtle and that seeking medical advice matters.
Leigh’s path to a pancreatic cancer diagnosis was not straightforward.
Over ten weeks she worked alongside her GP and underwent blood tests, bone density scans and X-rays. None revealed a clear cause. Meanwhile, her symptoms began to change.
The pain shifted to her lower abdomen. She also experienced digestive issues and unexplained weight loss. While waiting for a referral appointment to see a gastrointestinal specialist, Leigh continued to wonder if the changes could be related to perimenopause or finally some results of her gym training and careful diet.
Then one moment made it impossible to ignore.
One Thursday in July, Leigh looked in the mirror and saw what she jokingly calls “Marge Simpson” staring back at her. Her skin and eyes had turned bright yellow, a clear sign of jaundice, one of the possible symptoms of pancreatic cancer.
The one message I’d really like to share is that health isn’t linear. When life is full, it’s easy to prioritise everything else. Looking after yourself can feel like just another thing you have to ‘adult’ through.
Finding answers isn’t always straightforward. It can take time, multiple appointments and the determination to keep advocating for yourself. It can feel like a marathon but if something doesn’t feel right, go and get it checked out.
A pancreatic cancer diagnosis
Leigh was admitted to Royal North Shore Hospital where she underwent CT scans, PET scans and endoscopic ultrasounds.
On 2 August 2024, a biopsy confirmed the diagnosis: stage 3, locally advanced pancreatic cancer.
Leigh learned she would need a Whipple procedure, a complex pancreatic cancer surgery that removes part of the pancreas and surrounding organs.
She found that there were surprisingly few personal stories about the operation.
Most of what I knew about Whipple surgery came from Grey’s Anatomy! I had no real reference point, I knew no one who had been through it. I had no idea what to expect, not just immediately after surgery, but in the months ahead.
Before surgery, Leigh began seven months of chemotherapy as part of her pancreatic cancer treatment plan. She leaned into a “let’s try anything” approach and developed an unexpected strategy.
A data-driven accountant by trade, Leigh used creativity and mental resilience to reframe her treatment. Chemotherapy became known as “gummy berry juice,” a reference to a favourite childhood cartoon where characters gain super strength.
Over the seven months of treatment, she pictured tiny “minions in samurai outfits” launching a dramatic attack on the tumour. When doctors explained the tumour had wrapped around a major blood vessel and artery, she imagined it as a vine slowly loosening its grip on a trellis.
This visualisation helped her maintain a sense of normality and control. Remarkably, Leigh was able to continue working through most of her treatment.
Life after a Whipple procedure: Leigh’s new normal
In March 2025, Leigh underwent surgery and surgeons were able to remove the tumour from her artery and reconstruct part of her vein, while leaving enough of her pancreas intact to prevent diabetes.
Today, Leigh is adjusting to what she calls her “new normal”.
She has returned to work and like many people who undergo pancreatic surgery, she still manages ongoing side effects, including neuropathy and digestive changes.
Leigh has also found purpose in supporting others to prepare for a Whipple procedure, helping them feel less alone during a frightening and uncertain time.
Leigh is taking part in this year's Pankind Put Your Foot Down Walk, which falls close to her “Whipple-versary" - the one-year anniversary of her surgery.
I recognise that I’m one of the lucky ones and it’s important that people hear some good news stories too.
