Patient shares message of hope during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month

During Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, HCA Florida Largo Hospital is sharing the story of Mickie Rich, a patient whose courage and gratitude highlight the importance of awareness, early detection and expert care.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging cancers to diagnose and treat. It accounts for about 3% of all cancers in the United States but nearly 8% of all cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. Symptoms are often subtle and may include abdominal or back pain, unexplained weight loss, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), loss of appetite, nausea, changes in stool or fatigue — which can delay diagnosis until the disease has reached an advanced stage.

For Mickie Rich, finding care that combined compassion and innovation made all the difference.

“My name is Mickie Rich, and I have stage 4 pancreatic cancer. I was transferred to HCA Florida Largo Hospital in the hope that someone would truly hear me and help me with the obstruction in my duodenum,” Mickie said. “At my previous hospital, I was only offered a J-tube and another tube to drain the bile on the other side of my stomach. When I arrived at Largo Hospital, I met Dr. Meir Mizrahi, who gave me hope that something more could be done.”

Before meeting Dr. Mizrahi, Mickie did not have an appetite, experienced frequent vomiting and dramatic weight loss. Dr. Mizrahi performed a procedure where he inserted a bypass connecting the stomach to the small bowel beyond the obstruction, creating an internal tunnel that allows the stomach to drain food and stomach juices properly.

“Because of his skill and compassion, I am now able to eat again and feel so much better,” Mickie said. “My family and I will be forever grateful to Dr. Mizrahi. He has given me the opportunity to continue fighting my battle with pancreatic cancer a little longer — with renewed strength and hope.”

Dr. Mizrahi, a board-certified gastroenterologist at HCA Florida Largo Hospital, said Mickie’s determination and optimism are inspiring.

“Our goal is always to improve quality of life, even in the most advanced cases,” Dr. Mizrahi said. “Stories like Mickie’s remind us why we do what we do — to bring hope and healing to patients and their families.”

As part of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, HCA Florida Largo Hospital encourages the community to learn about the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer and to seek medical attention early if they experience unexplained digestive changes or discomfort.