Auturmn L. Duby has been living with severe stomach pain for four years, and will undergo surgery next month in Philadelphia to remove her diseased pancreas.
Autumn L. Duby, of Three Rivers. PALMER – A benefit will be held on June 4 at Pulaski Park in Three Rivers for Autumn L. Duby, a Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School sophomore who will undergo surgery this summer to have her diseased pancreas removed.
Now 16, Autumn has been living with recurring bouts of severe pancreatitis for four years. Doctors at first thought the debilitating stomach pains had to do with her gallbladder, and removed it. But the pain, which Autumn described as “10 times worse than the worst stomachache” and “like a knife stabbing you in the middle of your stomach” continued.
Testing revealed that she has a rare genetic mutation called PRSS-1, the cause of her chronic pancreatitis. While she looks and acts healthy, Autumn has to take enzymes three times a day to help her digest food. When the pancreatitis comes on, she has to be hospitalized. The spells happen two to three times a year.
Doctors said that if left untreated, within 10 or 15 years Autumn would likely develop diabetes or pancreatic cancer, said her mother, Laurie A. Peterson.
During the surgery, which will be done at the Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital, Autumn’s pancreas will be removed and disintegrated. Her insulin-producing islet cells will then be injected into her kidneys. Peterson said it’s a relatively new type of surgery, and the television show “Grey’s Anatomy” recently featured something on it. The surgery is expected to take 12 hours, and recovery takes about a month.
“If everything works right, she will produce her own insulin,” Peterson said.
Peterson said statistics about the surgery’s success rates are unavailable. The family said only 300 people in the United States have had the procedure done.
“Some children do well, and others do not. We pray her islet cells kick in and she doesn’t need insulin, or she may be on a (insulin) pump for the rest of her life,” Peterson said.
The Three Rivers family started Autumn’s treatment at Baystate Children’s Hospital; doctors there suggested she see specialists in Pittsburgh.
“Hopefully this will give her a better quality of life,” Peterson said.
Autumn, who is studying ornamental horticulture at Pathfinder, has not let the sickness slow her down. She plays basketball and softball, and is involved with the Prom Committee. She hopes to eventually work with wildlife in some way.
Said her mother, “She’s amazing. She gets tired but keeps going.”
Autumn said she is ready for the surgery, and appreciates that the benefit is being held for her.
“I can’t believe everyone would donate just for me. I’m grateful for it,” she said.
The event at Pulaski Park, which will run from noon to 5 p.m., will feature food, music and a “bounce house” for children.
The fund-raiser is being put on by Autumn’s family, because insurance is not covering the entire cost of the surgery. Proceeds also will help with travel expenses. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children age 10 and younger.
To donate, gift and raffle items for the fundraiser, contact Elise Cote, 64 Maple St., Belchertown, MA, 01007; email benefit.autumn@gmail.com; call (413) 231-2876. Monetary donations are being accepted at North Brookfield Savings Bank in Palmer, Belchertown and West Brookfield, care of Autumn Duby benefit.