Port Washington cancer survivor shares his story during pancreatic cancer awareness month

 

PORT WASHINGTON, Wis.  (CBS 58) -- Surviving pancreatic cancer, only 12% of people have, but this pancreatic cancer awareness month, there is good news. The numbers are trending in the right direction. 

A number of Milwaukee's iconic buildings will be dressed in purple this week to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer, and CBS 58 talked to a Port Washington man with an inspiring story of survival. 

Ray Shupe, a retired branch manager from Whirlpool, raised his family in Port Washington. A grandpa now, Shupe turns 70 in June with little to complain about. 

"Even though I'm here and I can complain, I'd rather not because there's a lot of people unfortunately who aren't here," said Shupe. 

Ten years ago, a diagnosis knocked the then 58-year-old off his feet. 

"All I heard was the word cancer," said Shupe. 

Doctors advised Shupe to have his entire pancreas removed and he did, a month later, followed by chemo and radiation. 

"It's a tough one to fight and you need all the hope that you can get," said Shupe. 

According to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, men have a higher risk of pancreatic cancer. So do smokers, those with long-standing diabetes, chronic and hereditary pancreatitis, those with diets high in red meats and processed meats, and obesity. 

"I was overweight, there was no question. I was a type 2 diabetic. And then I started to get some back pain, and then one morning, I got up and I was jaundice," said Shupe. 

Pancreatic cancer is often not detected until stage four, but Shupe's was caught at stage one. That's thanks, in part, to a problem he had with his gall bladder removed 14 years earlier.

"A bit of luck, flip of the coin, my turn, however you want to put it," said Shupe. 

In 1998, Shupe had his gall bladder removed. In 1999, pain returned, and a soft tumor was spotted in his bile ducts. It was benign. So, every six months, he returned to monitor it. 

"I had my last clean ERCP in November of 2012, and in February of 2013 is when I got the back pain and the jaundice. I called him. He took me into the hospital immediately and they put a stent in to open up the duct," said Shupe. 

Shupe's doctor told him early on, he was in it to cure him. Ten years later, Shupe is still cancer free. 

"It brings a tear to your eye, and you get choked up," said Shupe. 

There will be more purple around Milwaukee on Thursday, Nov. 16. The Italian Community Center will host the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's "Purple Light." The name of loved ones who've lost the fight, and others who are survivors will be read out loud. Glow sticks will be snapped until the entire room is filled with purple lights. It is a free event, and all are welcome. 

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