Over the past 16 years, I have raised funds for Ride for Roswell every year to give back for my survival from Inflammatory Breast Cancer.  Last year, I added a purple ribbon to my pink one.  

In the fall of 2021 my Breast Cancer Oncologist, Dr. Tracey O'Connor, ordered a routine CT scan, which revealed a small tumor on my pancreas.  Revisiting previous scans showed that the tumor had been there since 2013, growing very slowly.  Dr. O'Connor referred me to the Roswell GI Clinic, where Chief of GI Surgery Dr. Hochwald gave me the good news that it was not a pancreatic adenocarcinoma (the scary type), but in his opinion a neuroendocrine tumor, which could be cured with surgery.  The bad news was that I needed a surgical procedure known as a Whipple.  This procedure removes the bottom of the stomach, the head of the pancreas, and the top of the duodenum, then reconnects everything.  I had my surgery on Dec. 3rd, 2021; I was fortunate that it could be done robotically and laparascopically, leaving me with a very small scar.  It was a major surgery with a 3 month recovery time.  The tumor turned out to be a GI Stromal Tumor, which is rarely found outside the gastrointestinal tract (but I'm good at having rare conditions, apparently).  Since my surgery I had some complications, due to a pancreatic leak that eroded my hepatic artery, leading to bleeding and rehospitalization. I am now in good health, thanks to the excellent care I received at Roswell Park, and I cannot say enough good about the nurses and doctors there.  

So once again, for the 17th year, I ask that you help me give back to Roswell for my continued survival.  Please give in memory and in honor of those you love who have faced or still fight cancer.  Your donations will help to fund cutting-edge cancer research as well as to support patient care.  Thank you for your continued support - it means the world to me.  

-Lynn