Gary Hackney:
Thyroid cancer
My story
I am just an ordinary guy who has been through a lot over the years. But no matter what, I’ve always managed to pull through. I have become a better person because of what I’ve experienced.
On November 1, 1989, Gary, my son and best friend, was killed by a drunk driver. It took me years to forgive the driver, but I did. Then on May 18, 2007, my family faced another unimaginable tragedy. My grandson Connor had been killed in an accident. He ran from behind a neighbor’s vehicle as she was pulling out of her driveway and was hit. Connor was just days away from turning 3.
The deaths of my son and grandson have deeply affected me, as have my personal struggles with health. I’ve had nearly 30 surgeries, including a colon resection, knee replacement surgery, and surgery to remove a tumor that was attached to my appendix. By far, though, the toughest health battle I’ve fought is against cancer.
My thyroid cancer diagnosis and initial treatment
Back in November 2005, I was working in a lumberyard in my hometown of McHenry in northern Illinois. I developed a sore throat and thought nothing of it. Here it was November and I had been outside a lot for my job. But by the time May came around and it was still bothering me, I knew I had better get into the doctor. My doctor gave me an antibiotic, but my throat still didn’t feel right. I went to an ENT doctor, and he gave me Nexium® because he thought it might be acid reflux. I took it for a month and I still had a sore throat. The doctor then ordered a CT scan. It didn’t show anything. Finally, I told him we were wasting time and that I should have a biopsy.
So, I had a needle biopsy. Later that same week, my doctor called me at work and said another doctor wanted to see me and my wife Carol that day at 5 o’clock. All I could think of was that my father had died of stomach cancer and throat cancer back in 1992. I was always leery of having throat cancer. Turns out my fears weren’t too far off. Carol and I went and received the bad news: it was thyroid cancer, or what the doctors call papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.
In August 2006, I underwent a total thyroidectomy at a local hospital. In the 10-hour surgery, the doctor took out my thyroid and several lymph nodes. As the months passed, I was in pain and had been vomiting, so I began to look for help elsewhere.
Watching TV one day, I saw a commercial for Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). I called the phone number for CTCA and talked to Kathleen. She was such a nice lady. She sent me an information packet about CTCA right away. At the same time, we looked into another hospital in the Chicago area a friend recommended. That was a waste of time. Fortunately, Kathleen followed up with us to see how I was feeling and if we had any questions about CTCA. We were impressed with Kathleen and what we heard about CTCA, so we decided it was worth seeing what they could do to help me.
Carol worked with Kathleen to make arrangements for us to travel to CTCA at Southwestern Regional Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma for a consultation. Days later, we were on a plane. I was scared and I didn’t know what to expect. But I’m so glad we went.
Dealing with lymphedema at CTCA
We met with so many people on my first day at CTCA. When I met with my oncologist, Dr. Petra Ketterl, she immediately knew what was wrong with me. She explained that I had severe lymphedema.
Dr. Ketterl ordered therapy right away to help get my lymphedema under control. The pain management team also helped me to deal with the pain.
I began to receive manual therapy for lymphedema on my neck at CTCA in Tulsa. My physical therapist there was so unique. He would just close his eyes and feel in my neck where the lymphatic fluid needed to drain. He would massage my neck and open up the passages so the fluid would drain and the swelling would go down.
Eventually, I was able to transfer my lymphedema therapy to the CTCA hospital closest to my home, CTCA at Midwestern Regional Medical Center. I received my therapy there for a number of months. They also showed me how to use compression garments, such as one that I wore on my chest, to help reduce lymphedema swelling.
In total, I had three years of manual lymphedema therapy. Many of the therapy sessions were at CTCA and others were at a facility in my hometown.
I continue return to Tulsa to see Dr. Ketterl for checkups. I have a local oncologist I also see regularly who keeps in touch with Dr. Ketterl. It’s worked out well. They share my medical records and communicate about my health.
Life as a Cancer Fighter & Ambassador
One of the best things resulting from my journey with cancer has been the Cancer FightersSM program, which is a support group CTCA offers for patients and caregivers. I signed up to participate in the program during one of my first visits to CTCA in Tulsa. In October 2009, Carol and I received an invitation to a special dinner being held for Cancer Fighters who lived in the areas surrounding CTCA at Midwestern Regional Medical Center. This was the first of many social outings we would attend for the Cancer Fighters program. It was a wonderful night, one that would change my life.
During the dinner, we were asked if we would like to volunteer at the hospital. I decided I was interested, so I stayed to get more information from Michelle and Dawn, who head up the program at the hospital. Ever since then, I’ve been volunteering at the hospital three days a week. As a Cancer Fighters Ambassador, I get to do what I love—talk with patients and caregivers. Once a month, I also speak to new employees at the hospital as part of their orientation.
I’m really proud to be involved in the Cancer Fighters program. And I have to say, Michelle and Dawn deserve all the pats on the back they can get. They both put their hearts and souls into what they do. They give a 110% on a daily basis because they really do care.
Thanks to the Cancer Fighters program, I’ve participated in walks for charities and was honored as a survivor at a Chicago Wolves hockey game. For the holidays in 2009, I was even asked to light a tree at the hospital during a special ceremony.
Cancer has changed my life
During one of my visits to Tulsa for treatment, something inside of me clicked. I realized I had to change the way I think to change my life. I wanted to be more positive and to give more to others in need. I learned that when you give, you get.
The most difficult part of my journey has been not being able to work. Sometimes I feel as though it’s taken away my manhood, to a degree. I just turned 56 and I am on disability. It sucks. And while I no longer have cancer, I do have other health issues. But you know what? It means a lot to me every day just to wake up.
I have made many friends at both CTCA hospitals—patients, caregivers and CTCA employees. I stay in contact with a lot of people through emails, calls and Facebook. Ron Gibbons, a patient and Cancer Fighters Ambassador in Tulsa, is particularly an inspiration. I consider him to be my mentor.
I look forward to attending an event called Celebrate Life®, which CTCA hosts for five-year cancer survivors who have treated at their hospitals. I will be attending it in 2011. But, more so, I look forward to being there for my family and friends. I love my wife Carol so much. She is my inspiration. She has fought multiple sclerosis for years and she never lets it get the best of her. She teaches special needs kids at a local high school and she is great with the kids. On Christmas Eve 2010, we’re going to renew our wedding vows at our church.
Because of CTCA and the Cancer Fighters program, I feel like I have my life back. I’d especially like to thank Carol too for not giving up on me when I gave up on myself, and for having faith for both of us.
http://www.cancercenter.com/community/survivors/gary-hackney/
Sybil Redmon: Pancreatic cancer - Stage IV
My story
In October 2011, there were a number of changes on the horizon for my husband Max and I. I'd gotten a big promotion at work and our daughter was getting married. We were enjoying teaching Sunday school and were planning on taking some awesome vacations. Life was very good.
Overall, I’d been a healthy person. I saw my doctor once a year for my annual physical and rarely had a cold. But as I was helping my daughter plan her wedding, I was experiencing some health issues. I had pain between my shoulder blades and the pain seemed to progress to a burning in my abdomen. I thought it might be acid reflux. I couldn't keep anything down. I went on a total liquid diet for weeks and dropped a significant amount of weight. Doctors at my local hospital determined something was wrong with my gallbladder, so they removed it. But following the surgery, I had complications that led to jaundice. Another doctor performed surgery to insert a stent to relieve the jaundice. But when he went to put in the stent, he discovered a mass in my pancreas. The doctor biopsied the mass and when I came out of the fog of the anesthesia, I received the news I had pancreatic cancer.
Because of my deep faith, I wasn't terribly afraid. I don't look at it as brave. It's just that cancer can hit anybody. Cancer doesn't discriminate. My only real fear was for my husband. I was afraid he would fall away from his faith, and I didn't want that to happen. That spurred me to do whatever I need do to overcome the cancer.
I received chemotherapy for months at a hospital near our home in Montgomery, Alabama, but I felt I wasn’t getting the treatment I deserved. That’s when friends from church recommended we look into the new Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) hospital in Newnan, Georgia, near Atlanta.
I called CTCA and spoke with a representative who talked to me about their hospitals and what they offer. CTCA had a lot more options than my hometown hospital. That was the beginning step to getting our feet in the door of CTCA, and it was a turning point in my cancer journey.
A comprehensive approach and compassionate care
Max and I traveled to the CTCA hospital in Georgia for a consultation. The minute we walked into the hospital, we felt a sense of peace and calm.
I met with a medical oncologist, nurse, care manager, dietitian, naturopathic clinician and mind-body therapist in one room, in a series of back-to-back appointments. When I met Dr. Pabbathi, my medical oncologist, the first thing I noticed was her smile. It immediately put me at ease. After we talked about my situation, she asked me what my goal was. I told her it was to defeat the cancer. We discussed the side effects, which was a big concern. Dr. Pabbathi addressed every concern I had head on. I felt like she really cared and wanted to accomplish what I wanted to accomplish as reasonably as we could.
Dr. Pabbathi put me on an aggressive chemotherapy treatment plan. My dietitian also taught me what I should eat to keep my strength up, and my naturopathic clinician helped relieve some of my side effects. He gave me vitamins and natural therapies to boost my immune system too.
Something else Max and I have appreciated is that spiritual support is a regular part of my care at CTCA. Pastor Chip Gordon is part of my team. It just so happens he is from our hometown, but he is an Auburn fan. I’ve forgiven him for that though. He’s not only there to pray with Max and me if we need it, but talk to us and provide counsel. He makes it a point to come and see us whenever we’re at the hospital and check in. It's just phenomenal.
CTCA has been there for Max too. He can even talk with the staff pastors or mind-body therapists to get his feelings out. Everybody at the hospital is so helpful. And any time we're there, they're asking, "Do you need anything?" It’s like we’ve got friends and family there. We’ve also found that other patients and caregivers seem open to talk and share their experiences, and help each other out.
Since we've been to CTCA, the battle has been easier because of the services they have provided. And my team truly cares. They have compassion, and it shows. They take time with me to explain what I’m dealing with and answer my questions. I also feel like my entire care team not only embraces me, but my faith as well. That means the world to me.
The spiritual support I’ve received from my church at home in addition to my team at CTCA gives me encouragement to continue the fight. That gives me that extra little bit of something it takes when I don't feel like getting up, and it’s helped me concentrate on healing.
Blessings in disguise
A few months after I was diagnosed with cancer and started my treatment, we found out we were going to have a grandbaby. If I did not have cancer, I would be working full time and would not be able to see my granddaughter Maggie as often. Fortunately I’ve been able to spend some quality time with our daughter and granddaughter. Maggie is the apple of my eye and the heart of my heart.
Along the way, more good has come from my diagnosis. Wherever we go, we try to help other people who are going through cancer too. Helping others is where our strength comes from, as well as our peace. We have joined the CTCA Cancer Fighters® Care Net to offer support and encouragement to others who have been diagnosed with cancer. We’ve also been participating in a CTCA program called Our Journey of Hope®, which offers training and support for cancer ministry. We’re hoping it will help us develop a support group for families and caregivers of cancer patients.
I believe when you go through something like this, you realize what's important. What matters is what you do with the life you have. I'm still fighting the battle, but at least I feel there's a light at the end of the tunnel. There is hope.
http://www.cancercenter.com/community/survivors/sybil-redmon/
Helen Crosskey:
Breast cancer - Stage II
My story
I’ve always led a busy and full life. I’ve worked since I was 14, including for more than 30 years in the telecommunications field. While working, I went to college and raised two kids, coached intramural soccer and basketball teams, mentored a young lady from freshman year through high school graduation, and served on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club in my hometown, Cheverly, Maryland.
So in March 2010 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I wasn’t going to stop and give in to cancer. I looked for my way out of it. I made sure that I put all of my energy into learning what it took to stay alive and staying as healthy as I can.
How my journey with cancer began
One day I had been wearing some clothing that was a bit tighter than what I usually wear. When I took it off that evening, I noticed a lump in the center of my right breast, as well as a lump underneath my armpit. I felt both of them. I waited a few days and the one under my arm seem to disappear. But I checked the one underneath the right breast and it was still there.
I called my doctor’s office and they told me I needed to come in for screening. I had a mammogram, sonogram, MRI, and biopsy. When the results came back, a doctor called me in the evening to tell me I had stage zero breast cancer.
I went to a facility that’s 32 miles from my house for surgery to remove the tumor. It was a frustrating experience. Three days after surgery, I received a call from the doctor’s office. I was told I needed additional surgery. I asked why I needed another surgery, but no one could give me a direct answer. I decided to get a second opinion.
Discovering treatment options at CTCA
I had seen a few ads for Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) and knew of a friend who had treated there. She talked highly of CTCA and the people who worked there.
I called CTCA and spoke with a gentleman named Doug White. He explained that CTCA provided treatment options and a team of cancer experts. After checking to see if my medical insurance provider would allow me to treat at CTCA, Doug was able to schedule me for a consultation at the CTCA hospital in Philadelphia.
Three days after my initial call, I was at the hospital for tests and appointments with my doctors and other care team members. I told them I wanted to know if there was cancer anywhere else in my body, and if so, I wanted to know what my treatment options were. I had a PET/CT scan at CTCA and my doctors reviewed all of my medical records and tests, including the ones they had retrieved from the facility I had gone to for the surgery.
What I learned from my doctors at CTCA was that I had stage II breast cancer. My surgeon, Dr. Ari Brooks, told me I needed surgery to remove additional cancer cells, and the lymph nodes of concern, the sentinel nodes. If they were cancerous, he said he would need to remove all of the affected lymph nodes.
When my doctors talked to me about having surgery, they told me if the cancer had spread, I may need to have many lymph nodes for my right arm removed. This meant there was a possibility I could lose use of my right arm. I jokingly showed my medical oncologist, Dr. Sramila Aithal, pictures of my crafts, ceramics, jewelry and clothes. She asked, “Why am I looking at these pictures?” I said, “Because if I lose the use of my right arm, then you know what I was doing before you got all of my lymph nodes.” She understood how important to me it was that I keep doing all of the craft projects I love.
Dr. Aithal told me once I had surgery to remove the rest of the cancer cells and make a clean margin, I could potentially have three options for additional treatment—traditional radiation, chemo and Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT). With traditional radiation, it would possibly take me six weeks, five days a week to receive the treatment. Dr. Aithal explained the side effects I would have if I had chemo. Then she described what IORT was. I said right away, “If I can have that, it’s what I want.” She explained I could qualify for IORT if the doctors discovered during surgery the cancer had not spread.
So on May 20, 2010, I had the surgery and IORT. Going into the surgery, I didn’t know if I would be able to receive IORT because Dr. Brooks first needed to make sure the cancer had not spread to my lymph nodes. Dr. Brooks removed four lymph nodes during the surgery. They were immediately analyzed in the laboratory so I didn’t have to wait or go through surgery again after the lymph nodes were removed and examined for cancer. Everything was done right then and there. And the good news was the lymph nodes were not cancerous. This meant I qualified for IORT.
While I was still under anesthesia and on the operating room table, I received IORT treatment. It took less than two minutes to administer the single boost of radiation. When I came out of surgery and awoke, I saw Dr. Brooks sitting right by my bed. He told me everything that happened.
Everyone who cared for me came by to see me after my surgery. They made sure I was comfortable at every level. I was hospitalized over 24 hours so that my doctors and nurses could monitor me for any swelling, bleeding or blood clots. I had some slight discomfort and my arm was numb for a while, but overall, I had no major pain or bleeding.
To help support my quality of life, I received naturopathic medicine, nutrition therapy and physical therapy at CTCA. My naturopathic provider included vitamins and other supplements in my treatment plan. My nutritionist made reasonable recommendations for modifications I could make to my diet. She worked with the foods I normally ate, suggested better ways to prepare my meals and shared recipes.
CTCA took very good care of me. And I liked the way the doctors talked to me. They didn’t speak to me as though they were better than me. Instead, they shared my medical information with me and allowed me to help make decisions about my treatment.
At CTCA, all they are doing is treating cancer. It’s not like some of the local hospitals where they deliver a baby one day and treat cancer the next.
All of the members of my team looked at me as an individual and designed my care around my needs. The treatment I received wasn’t from a cookie-cutter, it was customized to me. Everyone on my care team gave me better care than any place I had ever been to before. To name a few, I thank Dr. Aithal, Dr. Brooks, Dr. Lavagnini (my radiation oncologist), and nurse Janelle Clark Brown. I also thank Margaret in the dining hall, Brice Corbin, Mr. Brown, and so many other staff members at CTCA for all of their support. And on top of my list is Mr. Richard Stephenson, the founder of CTCA. I thank him for having the vision and heart to build these centers.
The CTCA travel team is an extension of the overall care I receive. Every time I’ve gone to CTCA, whether for treatment or a checkup, I’ve taken the train to Philadelphia. It’s a 2-hour ride. All I have to do is call the travel team and tell them I need arrangements to visit the hospital for appointments. They arrange for my train tickets, coordinate for the hospital’s transportation team to pick me up from the train station, and if I need to stay overnight, book reservations at a nearby hotel for a discounted rate.
Life after cancer
After my treatment, everything fell back into place. I was able to return to work full time within two weeks and get back to my busy life. My breast healed and today my scar is nice and smooth.
Every three months, I return to CTCA for follow-up appointments. I continue to thank God for my healing and the team at CTCA.
I love spending time with my sons, Kerry and Jevon, and my grandkids, Jayla (5) and Quartez (12), my little nurses when I was recovering. I continue to sew, make jewelry and ceramics.
I love my family and I love life regardless of the challenges I face. I attribute my strength to prayer, family and sticking to things I can control, and seeking help on things that are beyond my expertise. I do not worry about dying. That is God’s job and I am smart enough not to cross that line. I concentrate on living.
My advice for people who have been diagnosed with cancer
As a member of the Cancer Fighters® Care Net at CTCA, I regularly talk to people about my journey with cancer and the care I received at CTCA. What I tell people is don’t look for a way to stay in cancer, look for the best treatment that will get you out. Or if you can’t get out, look for the best treatment that will help sustain you with a good life.
Here are 10 things I tell people who are fighting cancer they can do to empower themselves:
Learn all you can about the disease. Make changes where you can to help fight cancer or the return of cancer. Give yourself a fighting chance and look for every possible way to get rid of your cancer. And, realize there are great advances in the treatment of cancer. Treatment today is much better than it was in the past.Become a partner in your care. When possible, get involved with all the decisions regarding your care, ask questions and share what is going on. Use your energy to help yourself survive and try not to stress about how you think you got cancer.Talk about your cancer diagnosis with friends and loved ones. Talk to someone who has been there and who can share with you. Also, find out about your family’s history of cancer. It’s information you can use. Tell your family precisely what cancer you have and what is wrong. They’re in the same gene pool. They could be doing stuff to help themselves prevent the disease.Have a good outlook. Look forward, don’t look back. Focus on one day at a time. You can do it, but don’t give up. If you give up, you’re using that energy on negativity when a positive attitude will help you most.Change the things you can control, such as the food you eat, the environment you’re in, drink less alcohol, don’t do drugs, etc. And don’t wait until you have cancer before you start figuring out how to make your life and health better.Give someone a hug, even a “good morning.” Just because you have cancer, sometimes people walk by you like you’ve already left this world, or like you don’t have a chance with it. Give someone a hug. Cancer’s not contagious! Just hug the person. Help make their day.Enjoy life! Have a good time on this Earth.Keep your mind busy and your body moving. Even doing something like a crossword puzzle will help take your mind off cancer. Anything to get you away from what you’re dealing with for a moment—for example, exercise—will help you find your way to a better state of mind when you have cancer.Do your part to make the world a better place. Take control of your life and do the things that are going to improve your life, and help improve someone else’s.Give it your best shot. When it comes to care, you deserve the best care out there. And as far as I’m concerned, CTCA has the best care for me.
Chuck Glenn:
Esophageal cancer
My story
I began 2001 going about my usual active lifestyle in Norman, Oklahoma. I was a "young" 52 years of age. I worked long hours at Tinker Air Force Base in an Industrial Engineering position as a planner, volunteered and taught in the elementary ministry area of Norman's Trinity Baptist Church, fished, rode my motorcycle and played competitive sports.
In early 2001, I was the only "old man" on a 4x4 basketball team of twentysomethings. My team, Glenn's Gunners, was the league champ, with a 20–0 record. However, I didn't feel totally well. I had chronic acid reflux, but a checkup showed I had perfect blood pressure and low cholesterol. My lab results were excellent.
Medication eliminated my acid reflux, and I felt better until one day when some popcorn got stuck in my lower esophagus and caused me great pain. My family physician ordered further tests, which led to an endoscopy and a stunning diagnosis—a stage III adenocarcinoma mass measuring over 7 centimeters by 3 centimeters in my lower esophagus, extending into my stomach with several enlarged lymph nodes.
It was determined that surgery was not an option and I was advised to find a clinical trial (experimental medicine). My wife of 28 years, Ann, immediately started to search for the "best" place for treatment.
Just as we were heading to one of the country's premier cancer hospitals, the staff there halted my admission until further tests could be done. However, the first gastroenterologist who diagnosed me, as well as experts at a leading medical center, deemed these tests unnecessary. They even said the tests could lead to potential complications that could delay or compromise my treatment. In fact, we were told any delay in starting treatment could be fatal.
We had never heard of Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) until Ann saw one of its television ads. She searched the Internet for more information about CTCA, and after intense prayer and a miraculous sequence of events (that’s another story), it was very clear I was supposed to get treatment at CTCA.
After we spoke with the Oncology Information Specialists at CTCA, they immediately began my admission process and scheduled appointments for me to meet with the appropriate doctors at CTCA at Southwestern Regional Medical Center the following week.
From May through August 2001, we stayed in the CTCA guest hotel so that I could have round-the-clock medical care. CTCA doctors used state-of-the-art treatment and were very positive and compassionate. They also treated the "whole person" through nutrition and naturopathic counsel, and provided emotional and spiritual support. The entire staff—from top to bottom—was kind and caring. Our impression was that their employment seemed to be more of a "calling" than a job.
We also had a prayer support team of thousands around the world that Ann kept updated almost daily through an e-mail report called "Chuck G.'s 23rd Psalm Walk." I could not have gotten through the cancer experience without my faith in God.
My treatment consisted of three sessions of photodynamic therapy (PDT), a new treatment, at the time, for esophageal cancer. The PDT was performed by Dr. Ross Taylor, whom Ann and I came to love dearly. My PDT treatment was followed by six weeks of radiation and six months of an effective chemotherapy designed by Dr. Fred Brunk (an absolute genius).
Due to the site of my cancer, I was unable to eat as I normally would, so I had PEG tube feedings for a while. Honestly, the treatment took its toll. I don't remember much about that summer; I spent most of it in bed and lost 47 pounds from an already, relatively lean body. Thankfully, Ann kept a journal detailing my walk through this difficult time.
It was a difficult time in my life. I simply trusted God, without any questions about "why." Psalm 23 became my lifeline. Proverbs 3:5–6 became Ann's lifeline.
By early October 2001, I was cancer free. I have remained cancer free ever since. I finished my last chemotherapy treatment the last week of November ‘01. I returned to work part time in August of that year, with Ann driving me there and back. By January 2002, I was back to work full time and driving myself. That summer I was also back playing softball, even in an “all-night” tournament.
My recovery defies all statistics. But I agree with Dr. Taylor, "statistics mean nothing to believers." I eat a normal diet, have regained all the weight I lost and have gone from being unable to swallow water without great pain to eating steak without any problems! I still ride my motorcycle and fish, and have developed a love for snowmobiling. I recently retired from Tinker AFB and work part time for my neighbor's mechanical contracting company. Life is good.
I can't say enough about the doctors and nurses who cared for me at CTCA. I look forward to my checkup scopes with Dr. Taylor. A couple times a year my esophagus has to be dilated (stretched) due to scarring from the aggressive treatment I received. But I consider it a minor inconvenience for a couple of days. That aggressive treatment saved my life.
Dr. Flynn and his staff administered my radiation so precisely that I have had no collateral damage to any of the tissues surrounding my cancer. I also had great confidence in Dr. Brunk because of his studious, unhurried, contemplative, kind demeanor. Equally important, the pain management staff did everything possible to relieve my pain and never quit until they found an effective medication for my extreme nausea. And Mickey and Wanda in the Outpatient Accommodations Department were very kind and accommodating.
A cancer diagnosis, even one as dire as mine, does not automatically mean life is over. There were many times I could have given up. But if I had, I would not have been able to be best man at my son's wedding in 2003; I would have missed years with my wife; and I would have missed the blessing of having my first grandchild, Brooklyn McKenzie, who was born on my birthday in 2006! And, I would not be able to encourage others in their cancer battle, including veterans of the Vietnam War like myself. I have so much admiration and respect for them.
Make no mistake about it—it is a battle. No one should fight it alone and it must be fought with doctors who are fully committed to winning the war. CTCA may not be for you; but it is worth your consideration. It certainly was the right place for me.
May 29, 2012
I am doing very well. After nearly 11 years since I completed treatment, cancer is no longer a fear. We take every opportunity we can to encourage other cancer patients. We are grateful for the blessings we have received.
I enjoy an active life and normal diet. Having come through the "valley of the shadow of death" during cancer treatment, I am amazed that my greatest health issues years later are hearing loss and total knee replacement. But you won't hear any complaints from me!
I am fully retired and enjoy the time I get to spend with Ann and my family. I am blessed to have three grandchildren, Brooklyn, Kayley and Joey. Since they live a block away from us, we're very involved in their lives. I still enjoy snowmobiling, four-wheeling and fishing in Colorado several times a year. And I am an avid Oklahoma Sooners fan. I remain active in my church, Trinity Baptist, as a member of the safety/security team, greeter and in children's church.
I'm grateful that the Lord gave me these past years. I'm living proof that only God knows the number of "all the days ordained for me" (Psalm 139:16). I thank God for each day He gives me.
Judy Ridgway: Lung cancer - Stage I
My story
Only God knows when we will be born and when we will die and it matters how we live our dash. We must make every day count for we are not promised a tomorrow. Season this with faith, hope and love and the endurance of difficult situations or the mountain top experiences will be in our life’s resume. Be in the moment ~~ Be where you are ~~ Always keep dreaming and don’t stop living. That’s how I live my life.
More than 25 years ago, I survived cervical cancer. And in 1999, I went through three major lifestyle changes at once: I retired from an airline, where I worked in personnel and operations for 31 years; my husband and I moved to Goodyear, Arizona after living in St. Louis for 33 years; and 13 days after we moved to Arizona, my husband passed away unexpectedly. I was upside down for awhile. But with hope, faith, love, and support from wonderful family and friends, I rebounded. And that’s exactly what’s getting me through my journey with lung cancer.
From diagnosis through initial treatment
In 2003, I had a chest X-ray and my pulmonologist discovered a small spot on my lung. The lab work showed bacteria from a soil contaminant had gotten in my lungs and he thought the best course of action was to monitor it with periodic X-rays. Four years passed and then one day, during routine follow-up, my doctor noticed some activity on my X-ray. Sure enough, it turned out to be lung cancer. Specifically, it was stage I non-small cell lung cancer.
On July 31, 2007, I had a mediastinoscopy to determine if two lymph nodes my doctor had also identified as suspicious were cancerous. Fortunately, they were not. That same day, I underwent a procedure to remove a nodule that was about the size of a pearl from my right lung. The surgeon also resected my right lower lobe. I am still forever thankful for the diligence of these two doctors.
At that time, I was appointed an oncologist at the hospital where I had the lung cancer surgery. He deemed that I did not need any additional treatment—no chemotherapy, radiation, vitamins, minerals, nothing like that. I just needed to go for six-month checkups following my surgery. After nine days, most spent in ICU, I returned home from the hospital and didn’t even think about asking what happens to suspicious lymph nodes. I guess I thought it was like a cold and would go away.
A year and three months later, October 2008, I had a chest X-ray, which showed that my lungs were OK, but again, there were two lymph nodes near my lungs that were suspicious of cancer. The office scheduled a needle biopsy for December 24th, at which time they informed me it was too risky and that a mediastinoscopy would be in order. During the holiday period, the hospital forgot to send the records to my surgeon, so when I called for my next directive, I was given an apology that the paperwork fell through the cracks. In mid-January 2009, I did have a mediastinoscopy and it confirmed the lymph nodes were cancerous. I was directed to see my oncologist for follow-up.
When the procedure, which had a cookie-cutter approach for treating my cancer, was explained (or mandated without much discussion and I certainly did not have an understanding of the drugs or procedures), I felt like I was a puppet on a string ~~ I was treated in a very clinical sense and was being given the regime everyone else had, no matter what form of cancer. I was told to see to the front desk and they would set me up for a chemo port. They would then set me up for radiation at one facility and chemotherapy at another.
I told my oncologist that this was a lot to grasp, and at the risk of our patient-doctor relationship, I did not want to offend him, but I felt I needed to check out Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). I don’t know how he really felt, but I could tell he didn’t see that it was necessary, but it was my prerogative.
Yes, I was in the moment, scared, shaking, but knew I must move forward as soon as possible and I must be proactive. In “the moment,” I did pray and I did have hope, and I was scared, but I was not about to be conquered by this dreaded disease or treated like a puppet on a string.
Fortunately, by that time, the doors had opened at the newly built CTCA at Western Regional Medical Center, which is close to my home. While it was being built, I had given thought to volunteering ~~ little did I know, I was instead, a potential patient. I called CTCA to get information and spoke with a young man who was an absolute jewel. He talked me through the process of becoming a patient at CTCA and explained the process. I was amazed at the total care and commitment of care that was being offered.
After many prayers and consulting friends, I received the confirmation I needed. CTCA was where I needed to be for treatment. Two friends who are going through cancer treatment said that had CTCA been available to them at the time of their diagnosis, they would have made a straight line to CTCA without question. Two other friends, both medical professionals, had NO hesitation about what they would do if they received a cancer diagnosis ~~ they, too, would head straight to CTCA.
My lung cancer treatment at CTCA
I have worked with CTCA ever since. I have been under the care of Dr. Richard Shildt, and I don’t know what I would do without him. Dr. Shauna Birdsall is my naturopathic doctor. I also have a nutritionist, care manager and mind-body-spirit therapist on my team. My total team also includes the physical therapists, massage therapist and acupuncturist. I don’t know what I would ever do without them.
I underwent all of my tests right there at CTCA and they determined I had three cancerous lymph nodes. Because of where the lymph nodes were located (in such a critical area near my lungs and other organs), surgery was not an option. My treatment consisted of 35 sessions of radiation; five days a week for seven weeks. During that time, I received chemotherapy as well. For one cycle, I received Taxol® and carboplatin. I then went off of the chemo for about two months before I started a second cycle, which was of carboplatin and Gemzar®. I finished my chemotherapy treatment in July 2009.
When I was going through the radiation and chemotherapy, my team monitored me, checking on how I was feeling. I did lose my hair and quite a bit of weight. But the worst of it came after six weeks of treatment. I woke up on Easter morning and I couldn’t move. All of a sudden, I hit a brick wall. What had happened was the area where I was being radiated had affected my esophagus. I couldn’t swallow well and was struggling to intake fluids and food. I had to stop my treatment for a week. My team acted quickly to help me get the nourishment and hydration I needed to feel better and strong enough to finish my treatment. They worked with one of the hospital’s chefs to put together a healthy drink that was packed with calories and nutrients. I was able to sip it slowly over the course of several hours and regain some strength and energy. A week later, I was well enough again to go back and complete my radiation treatment.
Tiredness was a major side effect of my cancer treatment. My team always offered suggestions on how to cope with the exhaustion, such as walking for even 10 minutes a day and eating fruits and vegetables. They offered ideas from a nutrition standpoint to help me maintain my energy. During my first appointment with my naturopathic doctor, I went armed with all of the vitamins and minerals I was taking at the time (two big bags), thinking I needed all these extra nutrients. Dr. Birdsall looked at all of them, analyzed my profile and put me on a regimen of natural therapies designed for me. What amazed me was I didn’t have to take so many of the ones I was taking. What she recommended sustained me throughout my treatment. In addition, I really had to tie in my emotions with what I was going through physically. That connectivity is so important. That’s why the mind-body team is great about offering help and resources, such as music you can listen to and suggested readings.
My team walked me through every stage of my treatment. Everyone held my hand. Whatever I needed, they were by my side during this journey, and they still are. Once every three months, I return to CTCA for follow-up. I have CT scans and lab work done right there. They get all of the results back within a day. All of my test results are in a shared computer system. That way, everyone on my team is on the same page. It helps so that I don’t have to repeat myself as I see different team members. My doctor sees it, naturopathic clincian, and so on. And whoever sees me, notes in my record whatever they recommended to me. They also review how I’m eating, and monitor my weight and vitamin D level. I monitor my weight on my own too. I keep a notebook on all of my vital signs because it helps me have a better understanding of what’s going on in my body.
During my journey, I’ve had other issues occur, but my team was right there to help me.
What I love most about CTCA…
At CTCA, they are all about living. It’s not dying with cancer, it’s living with cancer, or getting rid of it. My team encourages me to take trips and keep active, so long as my counts are up and I am feeling good. They counsel me on everything I ask about. It’s as if I have another family. My team knows me on a personal level. That is such an anchor. I really feel like when I walk in, I’ve got my family—my team—and they have my best interests in mind. What’s great too is the responsiveness of my team. For instance, I can email my care manager and let her know what’s going on, how I’m feeling and ask what she would recommend me to do. Having the ability to send an email directly to care providers is terrific.
CTCA treats the whole body as we should all take care of ourselves. They understand it’s just as important to care for your emotional and spiritual needs as it is to fight the disease. They help you seek things that are going to help you endure the journey.
Something else that’s different about CTCA is the environment, like in the Infusion Center, where the sun shines through the windows and you don’t feel boxed in a room ~~ you see out into the sun. It’s about bringing life into the center. It’s always such a clean environment. In comparison to a typical doctor’s office or hospital, where I’d go to three different rooms for three different reasons, at CTCA I can stay in one patient room for appointments with my team. Everyone comes to me; sometimes patients are so weary and moving from room to room itself can be exhausting. My team does the work for me and saves my energy. That amazes me.
Salon del Sol is a salon in the hospital where patients and caregivers can go for a haircut, manicure, pedicure, makeup consulting, wigs, head covers, swimsuits, and undergarments for breast cancer patients. That team is awesome! They just make you feel good and like a whole person when one feels a bit weary; they are all compassionate and care for your well-being. When I lost my hair, I went to them, they shaved my head, and we laughed and made a fun time of that part of my journey. We had fun trying on wigs. They’re right in-tune with everything else at CTCA and such an integral part of total wellness. I consider them part of my team, just as I do the nurses in the Infusion Center who gave me my chemotherapy. They took such good care of me and were wonderful!
The scheduling team is great too! For example, if I am delayed in any way for my next appointment and I call to let them know, they’ll adjust my schedule and communicate the changes to the care providers who are scheduled to provide me with services or treatments.
CTCA also has such delicious, healthy food. Almost everything is organic. Yet, at the same time, they understand that you may not always feel like eating what’s on the cafeteria menu. So, they always have those foods that are soothing available, comfort foods like mash potatoes and grilled cheese. And if you need something else, they will try to come up with it for you.
The entire CTCA stakeholder team has a “hello,” with a smile and most often, I am called by name when meeting in the hall, checking in for an appointment, and being received in the reception area of each department. I would not like to neglect any one person; each stakeholder counts. It’s been a privilege and honor to be with the CTCA team.
I am thriving!
All of the things I’ve been able to do during and since I completed treatment are amazing. I’ve sailed several times, traveled to Seattle and taken trips to see family members across the country. I am so blessed because I have such a great family and friends. And, my prayer life is strong. I have another sail trip planned for three weeks. I’m still active in my church and music life, as well as my social life. Yes, I’ve altered a few things in my life, and some things have changed in my life because of the therapy my body has been exposed to. But that’s all OK ~ I don’t need to multi-task ~ I do need to stay more focused ~ a lot of things I thought were important aren’t really that important as I’ve had to re-evaluate a lot of things in my life. But I did it because I can! Each day is a blessing!
One of the ways I give back is by being a CTCA Cancer Fighter and member of the CTCA Cancer Fighters® Care Net. It allows me to help others who are going through what I went through. I can answer some of their questions and offer comfort and support.
Remember this
Hope means everything. My mother passed away from breast cancer that metastasized to her bones. We thought then that mother would like to know how much time she had left. She was a very matter of fact woman. She said something very important, and I have lived with these words for a long time: “Whatever you do, don’t take away my hope because without hope I have nothing.” You can apply that statement to so many scenarios. And with cancer, it’s all about hope and living.
It’s important to know that at CTCA, it’s not a false hope. It’s a vision of hope. It’s “we’re going to work on this.” And along with having hope, it’s important to trust in the system that CTCA has because it works. They do what they can to work with each individual to make his or her life a quality life.
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancer develops when the body’s normal control mechanism stops working. Old cells do not die and cells grow out of control, forming new, abnormal cells. These extra cells may form a mass of tissue, called a tumor. There are many different types of cancer and many different treatments. The cancer that fascinated me the most was thyroid cancer because i didn't even know it existed. I greatly applaud these survivors and grieve for the families of those who lost their battle.
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