For Susan G., a simple choice of which hat to wear started as a fun distraction but soon became a way to lift her spirits and remind herself — and others — that joy could still be found, even in life’s toughest moments.
A year ago, Susan was not feeling well and paid a visit Quincy Medical Group’s urgent care clinic, QMG Now. She had been experiencing symptoms of jaundice and wanted to get it checked out. She saw Dr. Travis Moore to discuss her condition. After conducting scans and tests, Dr. Moore discovered a blocked bile duct. However, his concern was more significant than just that.
“When he came back into the room, I could tell he seemed concerned and sad. He said there was a very strong possibility that it was cancer,” she recalled.
He explained that she needed an Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure to clear the blockage, but since the procedure wasn’t available locally, she would have to go to St. Louis or Springfield. She decided on Springfield and drove there overnight.
She had the procedure the next day, which the physician placed a stent in her pancreas and took some samples. However, doctors could only take what they call “brushes,” which aren’t always as accurate as a full biopsy. Those results came back inconclusive.
While her pancreatitis subsided, Susan was still seeking answers and her doctors sent her to St. Louis, where they performed an Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS). They removed the temporary stent and determined her diagnosis: pancreatic cancer. The weight of those words was heavy.
“As soon as I heard that, I knew that pancreatic cancer is one of the four deadliest cancers, and the survival rate is not good,” Susan said.
Susan set out to find the best team for her care. As a Hamilton, Illinois, resident, she wanted to stay close and get her care in Quincy. Determined to fight, she scheduled an appointment with QMG Medical Oncologist Dr. Wajeeha Rizvi, who determined she would need a Whipple procedure — a surgical treatment for pancreatic cancer. During the procedure, a portion of her stomach and 21 lymph nodes were removed.
Once she recovered, she began an aggressive treatment regimen, including 12 chemotherapy infusion treatments, 28 radiation treatments, and 28 oral chemotherapy treatments. Throughout it all, she leaned on the support of her care team, including Dr. Rizvi, QMG Radiation Oncologist Dr. Randall Brenneman, Nurse Navigator Angela D., Dietitian Brittany W., Social Worker Shari R., the Radiation Oncology team, and the Infusion Nurses.
During this time, she started collecting hats in all sorts of styles, from vibrant colors to sparkling designs and rhinestones to ones with saying.
“When I started treatment, I wanted to do something to stay positive,” she said. “I was told that with the treatment protocol I was on, I’d lose some of my hair, but not all. I decided that I wasn’t the wig type — nothing against people who wear wigs, it just wasn’t me.”
On treatment days, Susan selected a hat — some fun, some colorful, some full of encouragement. She wore them as a reminder to keep going, and the daily selfies lifted her spirits. On non-treatment days, Susan would go on walks, picking a color of the day and only taking photos of that color — pink flowers, for example. When the flowers died, she turned to trees. She made an effort to post something positive each day.
On January 26, 2025, she marked the end of her treatments. And although, at the time, she didn’t know if she was in remission, Angela shared words that stuck with her.
“She said it’s important for patients to celebrate every milestone, so I did. I celebrated the end of treatment, and I rang the bell in both radiology and went across the hall to ring the bell in medical oncology,” she said.
Surrounded by her care team, family, and friends, the day was full of emotions and a turning point in what had been a hard year, with moments that reminded her of the good around her.
When Susan rang the bell, marking the end of her treatment, she celebrated not only for herself but for everyone who had been there along the way.
“Facing cancer takes a team, from my medical team to my family. My family really stepped up to do things I couldn’t,” she said. “I also have some Facebook groups, some local friends, and I have prayer warriors all over the country.”
On February 3, 2025, Susan received the joyous news: her cancer was in remission. Reflecting on her journey, she remembered her initial visit with Dr. Moore.
“I remember telling him, ‘It like a blessing in disguise, because if he hadn’t caught it early like that, they wouldn’t have been able to start treatment as early as they did. Most cases of pancreatic cancer are stage three or four by the time it’s discovered, and mine was stage two.’ So, I remember telling him I didn’t want him to feel bad for giving me that news because he really probably saved my life.”
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