FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month. 

It comes on the heels of the recent loss of two public figures who died with the disease: Alex Trebek and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 

We recently spoke with Judy Lee who is currently battling pancreatic cancer, yet she’s keeping her spirits up. It’s unfortunately not her first go-around with cancer. Since 2002, she’s been diagnosed with breast and colon cancer.

“I went to the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Tulsa, Oklahoma because they had the best one for the colon so that’s where I met Dr. Prag,” referring to Dr. Pragatheeshwar Thirunavukarasu, Director of Surgical Oncology at the Cape Fear Valley Health System in Fayetteville.

Lee’s surgery and experience and care during that time stuck with her. When Lee was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she didn’t hesitate to find Dr. Prag again. 

“He’s like a miracle person,” Lee said. “He is not afraid to jump in and get it done and he makes you feel comfortable.”

Judy now lives in Colorado Springs, but comes to visit Dr. Prag in Fayetteville for check-ups. Dr. Prag says it’s his mission to help her heal. 

“Our focus as specialists is to first make people live comfortably and with a good quality of life and keep them away from misery or at least mitigate the misery cancer causes,” he said.

Lee has had her share of doctors and knows real care when she receives it. She’s grateful to have Dr. Prag with her in this season of life. 

“I trust him with my life because he has done such miracles with me,” Lee said. “I told him he can’t get away from me, that I will follow him to the ends of the earth to have surgeries because he is awesome.”