Kris Radke — ‘2B Beaten’

No one ever knows when their life will change or how it will change. For Kris Radke, the date was Feb. 13, 2025.

Kris, a 60-year-old Westland resident, was healthy and active with zero health concerns when she noticed something strange — her skin had begun turning yellow. By the next day, her eyes had noticeably changed color as well. She felt fine overall, but after pleas from her two daughters, Kris visited her primary care physician the next day.

Her urine sample was so dark that it couldn’t be tested onsite, so she was sent to the Trinity Health Livonia Emergency Department. Shortly after walking in, Kris was ushered back for an ultrasound. Not long after, Kris was officially notified that she had an obstruction of her bile duct, and a mass.

Kris was admitted to Trinity Health Livonia for five days. Specialists placed a stent to relieve the bile duct obstruction, slowly returning her skin color to normal. The next day, more test results showed she had Stage 2B pancreatic cancer.

“I cried. I was angry. I kept thinking, ‘Why me?’ But then I told myself — you’re strong, you’re young, you’re healthy otherwise. It’s time to fight. Since I was diagnosed with Stage 2B cancer, my motto became ‘2B Beaten,’ and I meant it,” Kris said.

Beginning the Fight

Kris’ oncology team, including her oncologist, Houssam Hariri, MD, from Trinity Health IHA Medical Group, developed a customized treatment plan. Not long after, she began chemotherapy at the Trinity Health Cancer Center - Livonia Hospital.

Because her tumor was close to a major blood vessel, chemotherapy was the preferred initial treatment. Kris underwent chemotherapy, with the goal of shrinking the tumor so that surgeons could then safely remove the tumor. Nine rounds of chemotherapy later, a CAT scan confirmed that the tumor had shrunk enough to safely attempt removal.

That’s when Kris met the physician she credits for saving her life: Edward Kreske, MD, a general surgeon with Trinity Health IHA Medical Group who performs surgeries out of Trinity Health Ann Arbor, including Kris’s.

“I cannot say enough about Dr. Kreske,” Kris said. “He saved my life. He told me I was a fantastic candidate for the surgery — healthy, young and strong. He gave me hope and reassurance that everything was going to be okay.”

A Life‑Saving Surgery

On Sept. 4, Kris underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy, also known as Whipple procedure, at Trinity Health Ann Arbor. The goal of this procedure is to remove the tumor and some of the organs and lymph nodes around it to decrease the likelihood of the cancer spreading.

About half of Kris’ pancreas, along with her gallbladder and duodenum were removed, as well as parts of her bile duct and stomach. Six days following the surgery, Kris was discharged from the hospital.

“Kris was an amazing patient from the day I met her,” Dr. Kreske said. “Her determination and positive attitude made a significant difference in her recovery. It was inspiring to see her approach her illness with such strength and resilience. Patients like Kris remind me of what an honor it is to care for patients with cancer.”

Kris, who lives on her own, stayed at her mother’s home during her recovery so that she could heal and receive in‑home physical therapy. One month later, she was healthy enough to return home.

Honesty, Positivity, and Support

Kris has always been a positive person, but her strength didn’t only come from within. It was also from the people around her — her two daughters, Kristal (31) and Ashley (27) were instrumental in her recovery. The two of them were with Kris when she had appointments and checkups, while also providing much needed emotional support.

“My daughters were there throughout the entire journey,” Kris said. “When I cried, they cried. When I got angry, they did, too. They felt every emotion with me. I couldn’t have gone through it all without my girls.”

Kris also received support from her five grandchildren, her mother, and her brother, who made trips from his home in Florida to see her during treatment. Kris also credits the care team at Trinity Health, specifically the staff at Trinity Health Cancer Center - Livonia Hospital, for being a second family to her.

“They treat you like you’re their only patient,” Kris said. “They learn about you. They care. It’s personal. They saved my life. Especially Connie and the staff at the hair salon for making me feel so comfortable when it was time to cut my hair. They are amazing at what they do.”

Ringing the Bell, and Moving Forward

On Dec. 19, Kris was given the news she had been fighting for — there were no signs of cancer. With her daughters by her side, she rang the cancer bell.

“You lose weight, you lose your hair, you lose part of who you are on the outside. But cancer doesn’t define you. You can’t let it define you,” Kris said.

Kris continues routine monitoring, with her most recent scan showing no new growth.

When asked what her message would be to others, she simply said: “Be positive. Have a positive attitude. And never give up.”

“I’m a fighter. If I couldn’t do something, I’d try again. And if I needed help, I’d ask for help,” Kris said. “I never give up because I knew it was possible to be cancer‑free. Now, I’m living proof.”

 

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