Cancer Interviews

It took two chemotherapy regimens, but Luke Mutter survived a rare form of bile duct cancer.  A CT scan found a 14cm tumor in his liver.  At that time, his care team told him he had cancer, but it could not identify the type of cancer.  He was put on a systemic chemotherapy cocktail of folfirinox and oxaplatin, which attempt to kill the tumor.  When that didn’t work, Luke learned he was a candidate for a hepatic artery infusion, which included chemo far stronger than his first regimen.  Luke has achieved survivorship and is very thankful to be to lead a healthy lifestyle.   Considering he was eventually diagnosed with bile duct cancer, his journey in an unlikely place.  His feet.  He saw a doctor thinking that as an active runner, he had plantar fascilitis.  Walking was very painful, as was laying down on his stomach.  That is what led to a CT scan, revealing a 14cm tumor in his liver.    Luke saw an oncologist and was told he had cancer, but the doctor could not identify what type of cancer.  Nonetheless, the doctor said Luke needed to go on a regimen of systemic chemotherapy, which would affect his entire body, a regimen that sought to kill the tumor.  The cocktail consisted of oxaliplatin and folfirinox.  He received a dosage every two weeks for 18 months.   The tumor withstood the chemo, and Luke went to another hospital, where he qualified for a surgical procedure to install a hepatic artery infusion pump.  It directed chemotherapy just to the liver at a dose 300 times stronger than the systemic chemotherapy.    Luke Mutter achieved survivorship and is thrilled to be back at work as a sales consultant.  He also considers a major blessing that after chemotherapy he can taste food, resume exercising and the ability to make his family and friends laugh.   By way of advice, he said during his journey, as much as he could, he decided to take charge, by controlling his mindset, exercise, diet and sleep, or as he like to call the group his MEDS.  Luke also serves as a mentor to those diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma.   Additional Resources:   Support Group:   The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation  https://www.cholangiocarcinomafoundation.org  

It was a stressful journey, but Linda Trummer survived Stage IV mantle cell lymphoma.  In 2015, she went to her primary care physician after discovering a lump on her jaw line.  That led to a diagnosis of a slow-moving blood cancer, MALtoma.  However, further tests revealed a lump under her left arm and the diagnosis was upgraded to Stage IV mantle cell lymphoma, a rare form of blood cancer.  She underwent R-Hyper-CVAD, a multi-faceted chemotherapy regimen and just two months later was declared to have No Evidence of Disease.  Linda still suffers from the many side effects of her regimen, but is happy to be alive, especially when her prognosis indicated she would only live for another 18 to 24 months.   Linda was close to 60 years of age when she first noticed a lump on her jaw line.  She initially attributed it to her getting old, but when one day she saw the lump was growing, she sought medical attention.  A PET scan showed that she had MALT lymphoma, also known as MALtoma, a cancer associated with the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue.  Linda switched oncologists and the second oncologist called for additional tests.  They revealed a lump under her left arm, and she was diagnosed with Stage IV mantle cell lymphoma.   Linda was placed on a chemotherapy regimen which included rituximab, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, dexamethasone and cytarabine.  That was followed by six lumbar punctures of methotextrate.   Through it all, Linda Tremmer was an active patient.  She sought to help other cancer patients on her floor by setting up an arts class.  She also wrote poetry and with the aid of a cousin in Oregon, the poetry was set to music, which was played for the patients, who enjoyed getting care from a fellow cancer patient.   Linda’s regimen led to her being declared NED after two months, but she needed to stay on it and suffered from numerous side effects.  She was placed on medication for depression and PTSD, although she says the latter rarely presents a problem.  When she was diagnosed, Linda was told she would live another 18 to 24 months, and prepared to die.  She sought palliative care and was placed in home hospice.  She completed her will, set up cremation and wrote farewell letters to dear friends.  But when she got to the 24-month mark, she realized she was still very much alive and started concentrating on living and not dying, which she said was much tougher than it sounds.   These days, Linda is happy to be alive, enjoys living with her three dogs and two cats, and advocates for cancer patients through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and has a support group on Facebook.   By way of advice, she says anyone diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma should make sure they find an oncologist who knows how to treat mantle cell, which is much easier today than it was in 2015.   Additional Resources:   Support Group:   The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society  https://www.lls.org          

In 2021, one day away from his fortieth birthday, Ty Cedars felt pain in one of his testicles and noticed it was enlarged.  He contacted his physician, asking to be seen.  The following day, en route to a birthday celebration, Ty received a call from his doctor, requesting that Ty come right away.   The Alexandria, Louisiana-based schoolteacher soon underwent an ultrasound, then was directed to a urologist, who told Ty that he had testicular cancer.  He took the news calmly and was told by the doctor that this was a very treatable cancer, but that he would have to go on a chemotherapy regimen called BEP.  That is a cocktail consisting of cisplatin, beleomycin and etopicide.    Ty said the worst part of the regimen was severe nausea.  He vomited acid into his throat, which took away his voice.  Ty also said he was extremely weak, and that resting wasn’t easy.  He could only watch television for ten to twenty minutes at a time.  Even though he had a stack of books ready to read, reading was out of the question because it was too hard to focus on the small print for much more than a paragraph.   As a singer in the local chorale, Ty found tranquility in choral music, which he accessed on YouTube.   The chemotherapy did its job and Ty was told there was no evidence of disease.  He was able to return to the classroom, can go to the gym, and his health is very close to what it was prior to his diagnosis.   However, he occasionally suffers from neuropathy, and because of the damage to his throat from the chemo regimen, his singing voice has dropped from a baritone to a bass.   Other than that, Ty Cedars is thrilled with the life he is leading.  By way of advice, he says if you notice something with your health that seems abnormal, don’t take chances and see your doctor.  Because he was proactive, his cancer was detected at an early stage. Additional Resources:   Support Group:   The Testicular Cancer Society: https://www.testicularcancersociety.org      

          A clinical exercise physiologist by trade, Erin Bloodworth sought a career change and became an exercise oncologist.  This enabled her to take her expertise and apply it to helping cancer patients, which she does through Northwestern Medicine Living Well. Erin says whether a patient is going through cancer treatment or is post-treatment, she puts the patient through an individualized exercise program.  She assesses the patient's health with tests tied to their ability to grip objects and go from a sitting position to a standing position and back.  Erin says the combination of exercise with a cancer treatment can aid the patient’s physical, mental and emotional health.  Through Living Well’s website, Erin Bloodworth can share her expertise with anyone in any location.   Additional Resources:   Northwestern Medicine Living Well: https://www.livingwellcrc.org  

For Stewart Greenfield, the third time was the charm.  After checking pictures of his bladder in 2016, two doctors told him he didn’t have long to live; a third doctor told him he had Stage IV metastatic bladder cancer, but insisted he needed to be treated.  The cancer had burned a hole in his bladder and attacked lymph nodes from his groin to his neck.  Treatment included a chemotherapy cocktail of cisplatin and gemcidibine, plus qualifying for an immunotherapy, novolumab.  It was a smashing success.  Stewart says his urinary function is normal and he is able to resume his active lifestyle, which includes cycling and scuba diving.   A semi-retired kitchen designer, Stewart Greenfield of Scottsdale, Arizona, thought he was in good health when he went for his annual physical in 2016.  He was an active cyclist and scuba diver.  However, his doctor said his blood work was “inconclusive.”  After a second test was labeled inconclusive, the doctor prescribed antibiotics and called for a third blood test a week later.  The doctor got a similar result and sent Stewart to a urological surgeon.   The surgeon called for Stewart to undergo some scans and upon viewing them, gave Stewart some very bad news.  The surgeon did not mention the word ‘cancer,’ but said Stewart should get his affairs in order.   Stewart went to a second urologist who viewed pictures of Stewart’s bladder, again did not mention the word cancer, but said the condition of the bladder was so advanced, it was too late to treat it.  He had a hole in his bladder and the cancer had attacked lymph nodes from his groin to his neck.   Stewart had an appointment with a third surgeon.  She said he had Stage IV metastatic bladder cancer.  As he attempted to leave, the doctor blocked his path and insisted on treating his diagnosis.  At first he resisted, thinking he had received a death sentence, but he agreed to be treated.    Stewart was put on a chemotherapy regimen with cisplatin.  The regimen was stepped up with the addition of gemcidibine.  As the regimen had been successful, he qualified for a new immunotherapy, novolumab.   The treatment was a success.  Stewart has normal urinary function and again takes part in cycling and scuba diving.   By way of advice, he urges those diagnosed with bladder cancer to stay positive, never lose hope and “fight the fight.”   Additional Resource:   Support Group:   The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network   https://www.bcan.org      

     Noelle Gatlin had to endure a lengthy, multi-step process, but she survived Stage II pancreatic cancer.  A visit to an emergency department revealed a mass near her pancreas. She was transferred to a hospital, where a second CT scan resulted in her diagnosis.  Her care team placed a duodenal stent in Noelle, then a bile duct stent.  She next underwent a 12-infusion chemotherapy regimen with folfirinox.  Then she was ready for a Whipple procedure, a pancreatic duodenectomy, which was a success.  Noelle says because she took care of herself before, during and after treatment, she believes she is now in better health than she was before her diagnosis.   In July 2022, Noelle began to experience symptoms associated with food poisoning.  At an urgent care, she was diagnosed with gastric reflux, but when stomach became distended, her husband urged her to go to an emergency department.  That’s where a CT scan revealed a mass near her pancreas.  She was next transferred to a hospital.  Wanting very much to vomit, but unable to, with the aid of an NG tube, her stomach was pumped.  She underwent another CT scan, then an endoscopy, after which a doctor told her she had Stage II pancreatic cancer.    A duodenal stent was placed in her small intestine so that food could go around where her tumor had closed off her intestinal tract.  Noelle then had a bile duct stent placed from her liver.  Before she could undergo surgery, she went on a 12-infusion chemotherapy regimen with folfirinox.    Months later came the Whipple Procedure.  Hers was a pancreatic duodenectomy.  Her gallbladder, the top 20 percent of her pancreas and the first section of her small intestine was removed.   The surgery was a success, and soon Noelle Gatlin returned to her job as a special education teacher in Riverton, Utah.  She followed instructions from care team and already enjoyed an active lifestyle.  This is why she believes her health today is better than it was prior to her diagnosis.   Additional Resources:   The Pancreatic Action Network (PanCAN): https://www.pancan.org    

Laurie Adami seemed to have it all.  She was the president of her company, at age 40, she had just had a son and still found time to lead an active lifestyle.  However, in 2003, her health took a turn for the worse.  She felt a lump in her abdomen, experienced frequent, lengthy sinus infections and chronic fatigue.  All this led to a diagnosis of Stage IV Follicular Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.  After six unsuccessful treatment regimens, she achieved complete remission on the seventh try, completing a battle that ran twelve years.   When Laurie initially brought her symptoms to the attention of her family doctor, they were dismissed as, at worst, a hernia, and exhaustion due to her demanding schedule; but Laurie insisted there was nothing ordinary about her symptoms and changed doctors.   She saw a hernia specialist who ordered a CT scan, which revealed a mass the size of a small watermelon on her abdomen.  After a biopsy, Laurie learned she had Stage IV Follicular Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.  At that time, she had no idea of the difficulty and length of the journey awaiting her.   The first of six treatments that failed to overcome her diagnosis was in 2006 and called R-CHOP.  It was a mix of Rituxan plus Cytoxan, Adriamyacin and Prednisone.   Next in 2008 was a clinical trial of Rituxan, along with an HDAC inhibitor.   In 2010, Laurie tried Bendamustin, a medication popular in Eastern Europe.   When that didn’t work, later in the year, she went with Bexxar Radioimmunotherapy.   Of the first six regimens, Laurie had the most success with a pi3 kinase inhibitor called Zydelig.  For five and a half years ending in 2016, it shrunk the tumor without eliminating it. The tumor returned and for six months ending in September 2017, she tried infusions of Gazvya.   On July 16, 2018, her tumor was still around, but Laurie qualified for a Phase II clinical trial of Yescarta CAR-T therapy.  Some 29 days later, her lymphoma specialist informed her she was in full remission.   Laurie Adami has resumed an active lifestyle, and does plenty of traveling, most of it to public speaking engagements, as she serves as an advocate for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.   Additional Resources:   Support Group:   The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society  https://www.lls.org  

Nicole Scott and her husband, Keith, worked at the same Ohio hospital.  When Keith noticed abdominal pain in his left side, he thought it was muscle-related because of the physical nature of his job.  The pain radiated to his groin, then what had been random occurrences of the pain became more frequent.   Nicole urged Keith to seek urgent care.  An emergency room doctor called for a CT scan, thinking Keith had at worst, a hernia.  However, the CT scan revealed a mass on Keith’s kidney.  An MRI and partial nephrectomy resulted in a diagnosis of papillary renal cell carcinoma, a form of kidney.   Nicole and Keith were shocked by this diagnosis, but after she got over the shock, Nicole assumed the role of Keith’s caregiver.   She said without question, the toughest part of her caregiver experience was the emotional piece.  At first, there was a tremendous amount of fear and depression, as she thought Keith might not survive, but all the while she told herself she was caring for the love of her life, had to put up a positive front and be a source of encouragement for her husband.   Nicole said there was some at-home care involved, but much of her duties consisted of making sure that Keith made it to all of his doctor visits, most notably the successful surgical procedure and post-treatment care.   Caregiving can be a round-the-clock challenge, and Nicole said she came close to suffering from caregiver burnout, but she always did what needed to be done, at all times realizing hers was a high-stakes task.   By way of advice, Nicole Scott says to anyone suddenly finding themselves in the role of caregiver to take a deep breath and never lose hope.  She says a caregiver needs to take of themselves.  She says it is “not selfish” to ask a friend to pitch in or to make time for some ‘me time,’ as that will make a caregiver a better caregiver.   Additional Resources:   The Kidney Cancer Association: https://www.kidneycancer.org      

When Helinka Carr experienced limited rectal bleeding, because it was limited, she never thought her problem could rise to the level of cancer.  She also thought the bleeding might be diverticulitis, which had been suffered by members of her family.  However, at the urging of her doctor, she underwent blood tests and a colonoscopy.  The latter revealed that she had bowel cancer.  Thanks to two surgical procedures, she achieved survivorship but has to wear an ileostomy bag.  She tires easily, but had the energy to start a line of ostomy lingerie for bag-wearing women diagnosed with below-the-belt cancers.   Helinka Carr said when one experienced rectal bleeding for three weeks, that was the standard in the United Kingdom for being a candidate for bowel cancer.  Helinka while noticed bleeding in her rectum and in her stool, it didn’t exist to the degree that aligned with the accepted standard for bowel cancer.  She also said her family had a history of diverticulitis, which also led her to believe that she was not a candidate for bowel cancer.   Nonetheless, her general practitioner urged her to get the bleeding checked out.  After a series of blood tests, Helinka underwent a colonoscopy and bowel cancer was indicated.   Once upon learning of her diagnosis, she immediately refused chemotherapy.  She agreed to a regimen of radiation treatment, combined with her self-styled complimentary hearing.  It took two surgeries, but her tumor was removed.  Helinka detested the radiation therapy, and firmly believes her practicing complimentary healing all by itself could have removed the majority of her tumor.   Despite achieving survivorship, the radiation continued to affect her.  She suffered from pelvic radiation disease, which robbed her of any feeling in her rectum or bladder, creating major problems any time she had to urinate or defecate.    Helinka’s care team said she would need to be fitted for an ileostomy bag.  At first she was told she would only have to wear it for twelve weeks; but after it was removed, she was incontinent and was told she again would have to wear the bag, this time on a permanent basis.  Helinka has figured out a way to manage the bag, go out and enjoy normal activities and get six to eight hours of sleep each night.   Helinka’s experience inspired her to devise a line of ostomy lingerie.  It is attractive underwear destined for bag-wearing women diagnosed with below-the-belt cancers.   By way of advice, Helinka Carr says regardless of your cancer diagnosis, you need to fiercely advocate for yourself.  That means asking lots of questions, and if your doctor cannot sufficiently answer your questions, to get another doctor.   Additional Resources:   Helinka’s lingerie line: Unspokenrosebud-Etsy

      Guy Nakoa has survived two diagnoses of Stage IV breast cancer.  He initially felt a lump in his breast while showering in 2000.  Because it wasn’t causing him and because he didn’t think could not get a type of cancer associated with women, I went more than a decade before he chose to have the lump checked out.  In 2014, he sought medical attention, he was diagnosed and in 2016, he had the lump removed; but in 2020, the cancer returned.  He was hoping it could be removed with chemotherapy and radiation treatment, but over his initial objection, he agreed to a mastectomy of his left breast in 2024.  For the rest of his life, he will need to be on two medications, ibrance and letrozole.  Guy says from time to time he experiences fatigue but is very happy to be alive.   Guy Nakoa is from Wailuku on the island of Maui in Hawaii, but he has worked all over the world as a chef.  He was on a job in Alaska in 2000, when while taking a shower, he was shocked to feel a lump in his left breast.  Guy didn’t tell anyone about it because it wasn’t causing him any pain, and he felt too embarrassed to admit he may have a type of cancer that is generally associated with women.    He finally decided to have the lump examined in 2014.  His doctor didn’t seem to think there was anything cancerous and told Guy not to worry about it.  Guy was misdiagnosed and he believes that, like he was, his doctor might have had difficulty connecting the lump with cancer because Guy is male.  Guy went to another doctor, and in 2016, he underwent a biopsy, which revealed he had breast cancer.    Guy Nakoa had the lump removed in 2016.  He underwent a chemotherapy regimen in 2017 and again in 2018.  He says he lost his sense of taste, his anxiety level went “through the roof” and he had a tough time getting to sleep.   The surgery was a success, but in 2020, the cancer returned.  Guy wanted to again treat it with chemotherapy and radiation, but his doctor urged him to get the breast removed.  Guy eventually relented and the mastectomy took place in 2024.   Guy says these days, he can do just about anything he could do before he first felt the lump, but fatigue sometimes sets in, in a way it didn’t prior to his diagnosis.  By way of advice, he is quite adamant that, regardless of what seems irregular, if you notice something, anything abnormal about your health, to immediately seek medical attention.   Additional Resources:   Support Groups:   The Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance  https://www.mbcglobalalliance.org   Man Up To Cancer  https://www.manuptocancer.org   HIS Breast Cancer Awareness  https://www.hisbreastcancer.org      

Sheila Romanski is with us today after overcoming two diagnoses of breast cancer and the removal of a tumor in her left shoulder thanks to an autologous stem cell transplant.  She tells the @CancerInterviews podcast her initial of Stage 1A breast cancer in 1996 came after her doctor suggested a routine mammogram at age 36 when at the time mammograms were not performed on women that young.  Radiation treatment successfully addressed that diagnosis, but the following year, the cancer had metastasized to her shoulder.  That brought on the stem cell transplant, plus chemotherapy and more radiation.  All seemed well until 2008 when the breast cancer returned as Stage 4 triple negative infiltrating ductal carcinoma.  Shiela opted for a double mastectomy with reconstruction, which was followed by a second, more aggressive form of chemotherapy.  She has been pronounced NED (No Evidence of Disease), and now enjoys a healthy lifestyle, leading a non-profit that aids cancer victims.   Sheila Romanski advises everyone to do self-examinations for breast cancer.  She admits had she done so, her breast cancer would have been caught sooner.  In 1996, it was rare that 36-year-old women went in for routine mammograms, but Sheila’s doctor suggested such an exam.  Thanks to that suggestion, a 2cm tumor was found.  She underwent a lumpectomy and radiation treatment.   While it appeared cancer was in her rear-view mirror, in 1997, a lump was found in her collar bone area.  That was treated with four chemotherapy treatments and autologous stem cell transplant, a procedure involved her own stem cells.  The chemo and the transplant last four months.   For Sheila, this time in her life was very challenging.  She was no only battling cancer, but she was raising four small children.  However, she says she was able to get through because of support from her friends and her church, and because attending to the needs of her kids took her mind off cancer.   Sheila’s health appeared to be on the right track until 2008 when another routine mammogram revealed micro-calcifications in the same breast as her original diagnosis.  She decided a double mastectomy would be her best option. It would include a procedure called a diep flap, which involves taking skin from other parts of the body.  However, her surgeon said Sheila would have to lose twenty pounds before diep flap could be performed.  It took Shiela ten years to lose the weight and by that time, her surgeon said she no longer performed diep flap.  However, she said she could get Sheila “fixed up” and in 2021, thirteen years after mastectomy, reconstruction was complete.   Sheila Romanski has gone on to found Crystal Roses, a non-profit that seeks to aid those diagnosed with cancer.   Additional Resources:   Support Group:   Crystal Roses  https://www.crystalroseshelps.com    

In 2015, Daniel Garza experienced bloating and difficulty completing a bowel movement.  A subsequent digital rectal exam revealed a mass on his sphincter, which led to a diagnosis of anal cancer.  A surgical procedure got rid of the cancer, but it also resulted in his losing half of his sphincter and the temporary presence of a fistula, a tear which was like a second anus.  He underwent a chemotherapy regimen of 5-fluorouracil, followed by radiation treatment, but another major challenge awaited Daniel, as he had to wear an ostomy bag, which he does to this day.  He deals with the bag and has continued his work as an advocate for those with HIV and anal cancer, in addition to being an actor and a comic.   Daniel Garza thought he was in good health until he was plagued by a nasty variety of symptoms.  He experienced bloating, stomach pain, bowel movement blockage and anal bleeding.  The initial conclusion of his doctor was that he had a strangulated intestine tied to a hernia he suffered years earlier.  He prescribed a number of treatments, which did no good.   Daniel went back to the doctor and went through blood tests and a CT scan.  But it was a subsequent digital rectal exam that revealed a mass on his sphincter.  That led to a biopsy and a diagnosis of squamos cell carcinoma of the anus, also known as anal cancer.   The mass was on one side of Daniel’s sphincter.  Surgery removed the cancer but also removed half of his sphincter.  Next up was chemotherapy, a type known as 5-fluorouracil, then radiation treatment and time in a hyperbaric chamber.    The cancer was gone, the aforementioned fistula healed, but to dispose of the waste in his system, Daniel had to be fitted with an ostomy bag, which he eventually named Tommy.  He went through three ostomy nurses and two types of bags before he felt comfortable managing the bag.   These days, Daniel Garza says he is doing his best to make peace with Tommy.  It hasn’t stopped him from continuing his life as an advocate for those dealing with HIV and anal cancer.  He also travels the world as an actor and a comic.   Additional Resources:   Support Groups:   Man Up To Cancer: https://www.manuptocancer.org   Cheeky Charity: https://www.cheekycharity.org    

Former NFL star Rick Upchurch seemed to be in good health, but in 2010, he began to experience night sweats, fatigue and aches and pains.  He saw his doctor, who ordered blood work.  The test results revealed his white blood cell count was very high, and his general practitioner gave him the address of another doctor to see.   Rick and his wife were shocked to learn the doctor they had been told to see was an oncologist.  That doctor called for a bone marrow biopsy, which confirmed Rick had chronic myelogenous leukemia, a rare form of blood cancer that is tied to a genetic mutation called Philadelphia chromosome.   The onocologist prescribed a chemotherapy regimen for Rick, but to some degree he was relieved to learn that it would be a regimen of oral chemotherapy.  The medication was known as tasigna, which also goes by the name of nilotinib.  Rick had to take these pills three times a day, which he still has to do, and will have to do for the rest of his life.   Rick Upchurch’s chemotherapy regimen led to survivorship, but again, he has to take the tasigna three times a day, something he will need to do for the rest of his life.  He has his good days and bad days.   On the bad days, he still experiences the fatigue, night sweats, achy muscles and joints; and he sometimes has diarrhea, as his body has a tough time processing the tasigna.  However, he is grateful to be alive and grateful for the good days, in which he can lift weights, get on the elliptical and go for walks.   Rick and his wife, Donna, also engage in a number of activities that support children with cancer.

Jeff Kallis survived renal cell carcinoma, a form of kidney cancer.  When he experienced pain in his lower flank and saw blood in his urine, he sought medical attention.  A CT urogram revealed a stone in his left kidney and a mass in his right kidney.  A biopsy confirmed he had clear cell renal cell carcinoma.  Jeff underwent a radical nephrectomy on his right kidney.  The operation was painful, but a success.  Through exercise and a healthy diet, Jeff says he feels better than he did before his diagnosis.  He shares his story with the @CancerInterviews podcast.   Jeff Kallis was enjoying an active lifestyle in late 2021 when he experienced some nasty symptoms for the first time.  They included pain in his lower flank.  He thought the pain would go away, but it didn’t, and in fairly short order, he saw blood in his urine.  That’s when he sought medical attention.   His primary care physician first sought to rule out kidney stones and the possibility of urinary tract infection.  Tests showed no presence of a UTI, but a CT urogram did reveal a stone in Jeff’s left kidney.  That, he expected.  What he didn’t expect was subsequent news that of a mass in his right kidney.   Jeff’s urologist thought Jeff had kidney cancer but wanted to be sure and ordered a biopsy on the right kidney.  Its results confirmed he had Stage III clear cell renal cell carcinoma.    He was relieved to know that treatment would not include chemotherapy or radiation treatment.  Immunotherapy was considered and rejected, but Jeff went ahead with a nephrectomy, removing his right kidney.  The operation was painful but considered a success.   Following the procedure, Jeff moved around very slowly, but as the pain subsided, he became more active.  He combined slowly increasing exercise with a healthy Mediterranean diet provided by his wife, who he says is an excellent cook.   Jeff Kallis is cancer free but goes in for checkups every six months.  He says he physically feels as well as he did before his diagnosis but emotionally feels better than he did pre-diagnosis as he concentrates on healthy diet and exercise.   Additional Resources:   Support Group:   Kidney Cancer Association: https://www.kidneycancer.org   Jeff’s Website: https://www.kidneycouch.com   Jeff’s Book: One Kidney – Dealing with Kidney Cancer    

What John Morley originally thought was a urinary tract infection turned out to be a diagnosis of bladder cancer.  At first, he was told it was a mild form of the disease.  Then the diagnosis was upgraded to T2 Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer, requiring a radical cystectomy meaning he would need to get his bladder removed.  His care team next told John he would also have to get his prostate taken out.  Next a mass was detected on his spleen, which meant that it, too, would have to be removed.  Treatment and recovery were tough, but he now urinates into a bag known as an ileal conduit, has become acclimated to it and leads a healthy lifestyle.   John Morley of Haymarket, Virginia is a Navy veteran who enjoyed scuba diving, hiking and other outdoor activities when in late 2021, he noticed blood in his urine.  He sought medical attention with his primary care physician, who upon learning of John’s symptoms, referred him to a urologist.  The urologist called for cystoscopy, a procedure in which a camera is inserted in the patient’s urethra, and based on its results, said a biopsy would be needed.   John received a blend of bad and good news.  He was told he had bladder cancer, but because it was T1 Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer, the cancer had not spread from his bladder.  John and his wife felt like celebrating and went out to dinner.   However, a short time later, John Morley was called back into the doctor's office.  He and his wife were told a followup check of his pathology report showed his cancer had been upgraded to T2 Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer.  Not only did this mean John would have to undergo a radical cystectomy to remove his bladder, but the procedure would have to be preceded by two or three months of chemotherapy, a regimen that would include cisplatin and gemacitabine.   As he wondered what life would be like without a bladder, the news for John got worse.  He was told he would have to undergo a prostatectomy for the removal of his prostate.  Then a mass was detected in his spleen, and the spleen would have come out as well, all three in the same surgery.   The multi-faceted surgery was a success, but John had to decide how he was going to urinate.  Over two other options, he chose an ileal conduit.  It was attached to his stomach, close to his navel.  The urine drained into a urostomy bag.   Following the operation, John relied on walking to help him slowly regain his strength.  He has a good command of his use of the urostomy bag, and though it wasn’t what he enjoyed pre-diagnosis, John Morley has returned to a healthy lifestyle that includes scuba diving.   Additional Resources:   Support Group: The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Group: https://www.bcan.org   John Website: https://www.beatbladdercancer.org            

    When Jessica Whorton discovered lumps on her left breast in 2011, she sought medical attention.  The doctors she spoke with said breast cancer was not indicated.  She walked around with the lumps for another nine months before seeking a second opinion.  Tests revealed she had Stage 3A invasive ductal carcinoma.  Doctors urged that she get a double mastectomy even though her right breast was still healthy.  After chemotherapy and radiation, Jessica achieved survivorship in 2013.   Jessica thought there was something wrong when she detected three lumps on her left breast in 2011.  She had them looked at, but doctors said they didn’t feel anything that seemed cancerous.  Jessica did nothing for the next nine months, but then decided she needed to be seen by a different care team, led by a plastic surgeon.  After tests and a biopsy, he said while her right breast was healthy, there was cancer in her left breast.   As if that diagnosis weren’t enough, her care team urged Jessica to undergo a double mastectomy to minimize the chance of a recurrence in the right breast.  The following week she underwent the procedure, and it was successful.   Jessica was told her post-surgery regimen would have to start with what is known as the ‘red devil,’ a highly-potent chemotherapy cocktail.  She suffered the usual side effects, including extreme fatigue and hair loss.  After the red devil, Jessica was supposed to go on Taxol, but she had an allergic reaction to it and the Taxol was discontinued after two dosages.   Next up was super radiation, requiring 30 visits administered five days a week.  Jessica said the Taxol experience made the radiation even tougher, and just when she started feeling better after her weekly two days off, she would have to go in for more radiation.   However, things changed for the better and in 2013, Jessica Wharton was told she had gone into remission.  The day she got the news was, she said, “Like winning the lottery.”  She has been in remission ever since.   Jessica says to this day she still feels the effects of PTSD and is not able to return to the workforce on a full-time basis, but she is grateful that cancer is in her past.          

Susan Svoboda was accustomed to going in for her mammogram every November.  She enjoyed a healthy lifestyle, which included running 65 half marathons.  But in late 2021, after her mammogram, she was called to return to the doctor’s office.  After scans and a biopsy, she was diagnosed with Stage 1-2 invasive ductal carcinoma.   Given her healthy routine, Susan was shocked, but she quickly had to turn her attention to her treatment.  In 2022, she underwent a successful lumpectomy.  Because of the location of the lump, and her low Oncotype DX score, the oncologist told Susan she would not have to undergo chemotherapy.  Instead, she would need to get radiation treatment, 15 rounds over three weeks; but her oncologist also suggested her regimen include estrogen inhibitor pills for the next five years.   Susan consulted reading materials and talked to numerous women who had tried the pills.  All of them had something to say that helped her to make the difficult decision to refuse the estrogen inhibitors.   Susan Svoboda found her way to survivorship.  She says that while she doesn’t do half marathons, she still some light running and goes walking every day. Her journey inspired her to spend 2022 writing a book, “I Hate The Color Pink.”  She says the satisfaction that comes from writing the book is its spreading a message of information and hope.   By way of advise, Susan advises women to get their mammograms and when dealing with doctors to ask questions, lots of questions.   Addition Resources:   Susan Book, available on Amazon: “I Hate The Color Pink”

In 2021, Albertina Dancy began to experience abdominal pain, but that wasn’t all.  She also had gastrointestinal issues, jaundice and other problems.  However, she didn’t take them seriously and thought they could be successfully addressed with over-the-counter remedies.  When that didn’t happen, she sought medical attention.   Albertina’s doctor said the symptoms, combined with her existing fatty liver disease, merited a trip to an oncologist.  A series of scans and tests, plus the stiffness of her liver, led to a diagnosis of liver cancer.   The diagnosis left Albertina depressed, wondering if she would get well again.  She regrets not seeking medical attention at an earlier time because doctors said her only treatment option with a regimen of radiation treatment and chemotherapy.   The chemo was extremely tough on Albertina.  She was in constant pain, felt extreme fatigue and was demoralized about losing all her hair.   However, she achieved survivorship and says because she pays close attention to diet and exercise, her health is better than it was prior to her diagnosis.   By way of advice, Albertina Dancy strongly advises anyone suffering unusual health issues to immediately seek medical attention.   Additional Resources:   American Liver Foundation: https://www.liverfoundation,org      

After a long list of health issues, Karen Humphries was diagnosed with a rare type of bile duct cancer called cholangiocarcinoma.  She was initially diagnosed in 2021 with Stage 2B gallbladder cancer, had her gallbladder removed, after which the diagnosis was changed to Stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma.  Karen underwent a two-part liver resection and a chemotherapy regimen and went into remission.  Two years later, she was again diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma.  Her treatment included biliary stents.  Karen knows her cancer is incurable but has survived and leads a happy life.   Karen Humphries’ life has been marred by numerous health-related issues.  Because of a rare genetic condition, in 2010, she had to wear a colostomy bag.  A decade later, she experienced severe vomiting, pale colored stools, an inability to eat solid foods, pain in her right-side ovaries, among others.    She sought medical attention and got a gallbladder scan.  That led to the removal of her gallbladder and a diagnosis of Stage 2B gallbladder cancer.  The diagnosis was later revised as  cholangiocarcinoma, a rare form of bile duct cancer.    Karen underwent a two-part liver resection, appendix and radical lymph node abstraction, and a six-month chemotherapy regimen with xeloda. She responded well and went into remission.   However, in 2023, after biopsies of her neck and liver, the cholangiocarcinoma returned. Doctors told her that her initial diagnosis of Stage 2B gallbladder cancer was actually Stage 4 cholangiocarinoma all along.  Her treatment included biliary stents.   Karen’s cancer has been labeled ‘incurable,’ but she undergoes periodic CT and PET scans, and her condition has stabilized.  She maintains an upbeat approach to life and mentors others who have been diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma and other forms of cancer.  

Erin Cummings is still going strong despite being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 1972.  At age 15, she noticed a lump on her throat and another on her chest.  That led to a diagnosis of Stage 3B Hodgkin lymphoma.  She was shocked at her diagnosis but initially had trouble putting into perspective just what she was up against because she cancer was something suffered by old people.  Even though she achieved survivorship, she still deals with residual side effects from her treatment regimen.  Nonetheless, Erin has gone on to compete in eight marathons and has established a nonprofit which seeks to aid long-term survivors who also deal with the late effects of cancer treatment.   Erin Cummings of Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts was a freshman in high school when she saw that she had a lump on her throat and on her chest.  She didn’t think much of them until her sister saw them and brought it to the attention of their mother.  Erin was taken to a nearby hospital and a week later, she was diagnosed with Stage 3B Hodgkin lymphoma.  She said she benefitted from not knowing much about cancer because she thought it was something by old people and wouldn’t pose a problem for her.   This was in 1972, and available treatment options were much different than those available today.  Those options included cobalt radiation treatment, surgery, and a new protocol still considered to be in an experimental phase called chemotherapy.  Erin’s parents didn’t want her having anything to do with chemotherapy and temporarily considered taking her to Mexico to be treated with laetrile.   Erin underwent a lymphangiogram to determine the exact location of the cancer.  After that came full body radiation, surgery to remove her appendix and a form of chemo called MOP chemotherapy.   She said the side effects of the radiation and the chemotherapy were nasty, but there was also a difficult emotion piece.  Erin said in those days, people thought that cancer was contagious.  As a result, her friends were told by their parents to neither touch her nor get near her.  This combined with Erin being a teenager made her demoralizing cancer experience ever worse.   However, Erin Cummings got through the treatment and became cancer-free five years later, in 1977.  At the ten-year mark, she decided it was time to take control of her body, trained for, and eventually ran in her first marathon.  Before she concluded her competitive running, Erin was in eight marathons in Boston and New York City.   Because she is still encountering the late effects of her cancer treatment and has met others in the same position, Erin established Hodgkin International, a nonprofit which provides help to people around the globe experiencing similar late effects.   Additional Resources:   Support Group:   Hodgkin International: https://www.hodgkinsinternational.org