Survivor Story: Dr. Sheri Ford - The Physician as the Patient
Dr. Sheri Ford is a longtime physician, cancer survivor, and self-described realist. Diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in 2009, her journey has included multiple surgeries, sepsis, radiation, and years of perseverance. Here, she shares her story with honesty, strength, and perspective.
Q: How did your journey with cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) begin?
My diagnosis in 2009 was actually incidental. I had a CT scan of the chest, and a small 6 mm lesion showed up in the dome of my liver. A biopsy — done through the diaphragm — confirmed it was cholangiocarcinoma. At the time, I was working at an academic hospital in Long Island, but I chose to go to Memorial Sloan Kettering for treatment.
Q: What happened next?
They found a cystic lesion on my pancreas too, so I underwent an ERCP. Thankfully, that turned out to be a benign cystadenoma. Dr. Yuman Fong performed my liver resection, and I recovered quickly. I was back to work in three weeks.
Q: Were you without signs of disease after that first surgery?
For a while. I had surveillance MRIs every six months. At the 30-month mark, a small recurrence was found at the dome of my liver. I had another resection, and this time they found the cancer involved my diaphragm. A thoracic surgeon attempted primary closure, but they had to leave it partially open. I ended up septic and in the ICU, but I recovered and was discharged after 10 days.
Q: Did you have chemotherapy?
Yes. I started gemcitabine and cisplatin, but I had to stop cisplatin after a few months due to severe neuropathy. I made it to about five and a half months on gemcitabine, then developed Gemzar-induced pneumonitis and had to stop altogether.
Q: Did the cancer come back again?
Three years later, a thyroid ultrasound revealed three abnormal lymph nodes. They were removed and pathology confirmed a cholangiocarcinoma nidus surrounded by sclerotic tissue. Surveillance continued. About six years later, I had CyberKnife for two slowly enlarging para-aortic lymph nodes and then again three years ago for pararenal lymph nodes. Both times, the nodes resolved.
Q: What’s your follow-up like now?
After two years of scans every six months, I’m now back to annual surveillance.
Q: You’ve also had other major health challenges. How did they shape your experience?
Yes, at age 6, I had a right nephrectomy for Wilms tumor, with a metastasis to my lung. I received cobalt radiation; basically, a radiation bomb to the right side of my body. It’s believed that radiation may be correlated with my cholangiocarcinoma decades later. I also had the right middle lobe of my lung removed five years ago for bronchoalveolar carcinoma.
Q: What was it like going through this as a physician?
It was a double-edged sword. I knew how to access the best care, but I also knew the statistics and the dire outcomes associated with this cancer. That knowledge was both empowering and terrifying.
Q: What role has community played in your journey?
The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation’s conference in Salt Lake City was truly extraordinary. My husband (a surgeon) and I were stunned; we’d never experienced anything like it, and we’ve been to a lot of medical conferences. The collaboration between researchers, physicians, patients, and caregivers was unlike anything we’d ever seen. We also enjoyed the Portland Cholangiocarcinoma Symposium and were so grateful to connect with others in the community.
Q: What message do you want to share with others?
This is my life. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m still here. I’ve learned to hold both realism and hope. I’m grateful for the care I received and the progress that’s being made, and I’m even more grateful for the people I’ve met along the way.