Cancer Interviews

John Walker Pattison is still with us despite two protracted battles with cancer.  He was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma in 1975 and relapsed three times.  Then in 2018, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer, a diagnosis after which he relapsed once.  After his lymphoma diagnosis, treatment included an aggressive chemotherapy regimen, which included nitrogen mustard, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisolone.  John said effects from the chemo hampered his fight with bladder cancer and still affect him today, although his urinary function is just fine.    John was in his late teens when he began to experience fatigue, night sweats, recurring cough and weight loss, among other symptoms.  He was doing heavy lifting in the shipbuilding business, had difficulty at work and one day on the job he collapsed.  Realizing he needed medical attention, he underwent scans and biopsies, and they led to a diagnosis of Stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma.  He was told his chances of recovery were slim.   In May 1975, his care team prescribed a chemotherapy cocktail of nitrogen mustard, prednisolone, procarbazine and vincristine, which only added to a high degree of fear he had for his future.    Things went from bad to worse when he was informed that the chemo regimen didn't work and he relapsed.  In April 1976, he was put on a different regimen with cyclophosphamide taking the place of nitrogen mustard.  That, too, was ineffective, resulting in another relapse.  In December of that year, his care team tried radiotherapy, again with no success.    In April 1977, John went on a regimen of palliative chemotherapy, with single agent vinblastine.  On a subsequent visit, his oncologist raised his arms in triumph and shocked John by telling him he was cancer free.   John Walker Pattison thought cancer was in his rear-view mirror, but in 2018, while traveling by air, he discovered blood in his urine.  He was a health care professional and immediately knew something was wrong.  Again seeking medical attention, he was diagnosed with Grade II Transitional Cell Bladder Carcinoma.  He underwent surgery, followed by bladder installation of mitomycin chemotherapy.  That was followed by transurethral laser ablation in 2020.  Not long after that procedure, again, John was told he was cancer free.   John Walker Pattison enjoys normal urinary function, but says he will be dealing with the side effects of the chemotherapy and radiotherapy he underwent in the seventies.   That said, John wants to help others diagnosed with cancer.  He has written a book, "Shadow of a Survivor," which he hopes will be a source of hope and inspiration.   Additional Resources:   John's Book, "Shadow of a Survivor," available on Amazon John's Website, https://www.johnpattison.co.uk  

The average age in which people are diagnosed with colon cancer continues to drop.  Louisville-based gastroenterologist Ben Evans, MD says for decades the conventional wisdom was that one should begin getting screened for colon cancer at age 50.  Now, he says you should learn your family history with colon cancer and colon polyps, and with that as your guide, you should start screening as early as your twenties.  Dr. Evans says that while the colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colon screening, there are stool-based testing alternatives that can be done in the privacy of your home.  However, he notes that if one of the home-based tests reveal a positive result, you will need to undergo a colonoscopy.   Intense research has yet to come up with an answer as to why those being diagnosed with colon cancer are getting increasingly younger.  Dr. Evans says the mortality rate for those diagnosed with cancer continues to climb while to varying degrees, the mortality rate is dropping for all other types of cancer.   In addition to checking your family history with colon cancer, you can help yourself by living a healthy lifestyle.  Dr. Evans suggests quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake and consumption of processed foods, while being sure to load up on fruits and vegetables.   Dr. Evans says you should be aware of colon cancer symptoms.  They include bloody stool, rectal bleeding and abdominal pain.  If any of these symptoms materialize, he says you should not leave anything to chance and seek medical attention.   Additional Resources: Support Group: The Colon Cancer Prevention Project: https://www.coloncancerpreventionproject.org  

In 2018, for Cindy Koerner, pain in her right breast led to a diagnosis of Stage 3A breast cancer.  She was put on a three-pronged, high-dosage chemotherapy regimen of epirubicin, nab-paclitataxel and cyclophosphamide.  The cyclophosphamide compromised her immune system, resulting in fatigue and fever.  The chemo regimen shut down her ovaries, but when they became active about a year later, Cindy was told if they remained active, the possibility of a relapse would increase, so she opted to have them removed.  These days, Cindy believes her health is at approximately 80 percent of what it was before her diagnosis, but she admits she gets tired easily, which prevents her from doing activities that she thinks would leave her exhausted.   Cindy's cancer journey began in 2018 when she felt pain behind the nipple in her right breast.  The pain would leave, only to return when her menstrual cycle returned.  She saw her gynecologist, who called for an ultrasound, which the doctor said did not reveal anything abnormal.  When the pain continued to come and go, she went back to the gynecologist.  Another ultrasound, the gynecologist said revealed nothing unusual.   However, in 2020, she noticed a change in the shape of her breast and that it included a dimple.  Another trip to the doctor and another scan indicated a tumor and a diagnosis of Stage 3A breast cancer.  Cindy later learned that such a diagnosis should have provided her with multiple treatment options, but at the time her care team told her she would be going on an aggressive regimen of chemotherapy.  Because of the advent of COVID, treatment was made more difficult for Cindy from an emotional perspective because she had to remain in isolation.   The regimen included epirubicin, nab-paclitaxel and cyclophosphamide.  She had to come in for a dosage every two weeks.  Like many on chemotherapy, Cindy suffered hair loss, but she said the cyclophosphamide was the roughest.  It played havoc with her immune system, leading to fatigue, fever and depression.  However, this was not the only hurdle in her journey.   Cindy's tumor was hormone receptor positive, which reacted to the estradiol in her body.  This had implications for her ovaries.  The chemo had rendered them inactive, but about a year later, they became active again.  She was told when the ovaries are active, that increases the possibility of the cancer returning.  As a result, with injections of zoladex, a GnRH analogon, she opted to have her ovaries removed.   Cindy Koerner has returned to work as a cancer biologist with the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg.  She says her health is about 80 percent of what it was before her diagnosis and there are some activities she avoids because she fears they would leave her exhausted.   Cindy is also a cancer patient advocate.  Among her messages to patients is to have a heightened awareness of their treatment options, which she admits she didn't have at the time of her diagnosis.      

At age four, Hope Nightingale complained of severe pain in her legs.  At first, her parents thought she was just being a hypochondriac.  That changed when she fell off her scooter and broke the distal femur in her left leg.  The following year, 2011, this led to a diagnosis of Stage II osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer.  After a regimen of neoadjuvant chemotherapy featuring cisplatin and doxorubicin, Hope underwent a surgical procedure, a vascularized fibula transplant.  Her left femur was removed, and her right fibula was inserted in its place.  Confined to a wheelchair and then crutches at such a young age, Hope underwent extensive physiotherapy rehabilitation so that she could relearn how to walk despite her left leg being 2cm shorter than her right leg.  Hope has survived and is training to compete in a half marathon!   Hope says as a four-year-old she was often accused of overreacting to just about everything.  So, when she complained of pain in her legs, her parents did not take the complaints seriously.  That changed when she fell off her scooter, couldn't get up and her parents discovered she had broken her left leg.  She had her distal femur x-rayed.  That led to a biopsy, and, at age five, a diagnosis of Stage II osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.   Treatment was to begin with neoadjuvant chemotherapy aimed at shrinking the tumor.  Hope said unlike many people, outside of hair loss, she suffered few nasty side effects.   Next was a vascularized fibula transplant.  The cancerous left distal femur was removed and was replaced by her right fibula.  A result of this surgery was the loss of both her quadricep muscles.   Hope returned to school, but in a wheelchair with casts on both legs.  This did not go unnoticed by her classmates, most of whom wanted to know what happened.  Hope says her diagnosis was not a blessing, but she felt blessed that her diagnosis took place at such a young age, when she was unable to process it in full.  She said physically, it was tough being in a wheelchair, but emotionally it was tougher because at recess, she wanted to join her friends, running around and playing.  Hope said it was amazing that sometimes her chums would halt their activities and gather around her to include her in their fun.    Hope eventually got out of the wheelchair and was on crutches, but that, too, was frustrating because she wanted to be ambulatory, like her friends.   At this time, Hope Nightingale had to relearn how to walk, which involved extensive physiotherapy rehabilitation.  As if that were not tough enough, the surgery left her left leg 2cm shorter than her right leg.  She went to a specialist who gave her a wedge to put in her left shoe, removing the discrepancy in the length of her legs.   These days, Hope leads an active lifestyle.  She enjoys going to the beach near her hometown of Cape Town and to the mountains and vineyards outside of town.  Not only is she walking, but Hope is training to run a half marathon.   Additional Resources:   Support Group:   Cancer Association of South Africa  https://www.cansa.org.za        

When Jess began to feel pain in her right leg in 2020, she thought it was sciatica.  When extreme pain radiated to her lower back, a physical therapist thought she had a bulging disc.  However, her condition worsened, she went in for an MRI, and it revealed a tumor originally thought to be on her spinal cord.  Further tests indicated the tumor was inside her spinal cord and a diagnosis of myxopapillary ependymoma, a rare cancer.  The tumor was surgically removed, but her post-treatment life was very difficult.  There were prolonged instances in which she could not move her legs, which brought her to tears not only from the pain, but the chilling thought of the rest of her being spent in bed or on the couch.  Jess went through all sorts of medications from morphine to medical marijuana, but medical savior was a spinal cord stimulator.  It has enabled her to maximize her movements with little or no pain.   In 2020, Jess led an active lifestyle.  It included soccer and other activities with two young sons.  But she started experiencing pain in her right leg.  She thought it was sciatica but believed it would go away.  When it didn't, and pain radiated to her lower back, she saw a physical therapist, who thought Jess had a bulging disc.  One night at home, Jess fell and said one of her sons looked her in the eye and told her she needed to see a doctor.   Jess underwent an MRI.  It indicated she had a tumor on or near her spinal cord.  Doctors were initially baffled because they could not pinpoint the tumor's location, but additional tests showed the tumor was inside her spinal cord.  A surgical procedure to remove the tumor was completed successfully.  It was after the procedure when Jess was regaining consciousness in her hospital that she was informed she had Stage II myxopapillary ependymoma, a rare cancer.  Ten days after surgery, Jess underwent a spinal tap at the location of the tumor to determine whether any tumor cells had been left behind.  Thankfully, the results were clear and have remained clear ever since.   However, many challenges awaited Jess.  There were instances in which she was immobilized, having to remain in bed.  She felt pain from head to toe.  Certain fabrics rubbing against caused pain.  As did extreme temperatures or the wind.  She was prescribed opioids, which she said did nothing to alleviate the pain.  She was given morphine.  Eventually doctors prescribed pregabalin and duloxetine, medications which were able to reduce the pain.  Jess also tried medical marijuana, which reduced the pain.   The biggest development in her recovery was her working with a specialist in New Hampshire who performs spinal cord stimulator procedures. Jess completed a trial with a stimulator and when using it, much of her pain was gone and she regained much of her mobility.   Jess says her spinal cord will never be the same and neither will she, but she is grateful for the mobility she has.  She adds that since October 2025, she has been sober from alcohol and cannabis.   Additional Resources:   Support Groups:   The CERN Foundation: https://www.cern-foundation.org   walk.talk.connect: https://walktalkconnect.org   Book:   ReConnected: Stories from Spinal Cord Tumor & Dawn Standera, available on Amazon   https://www.youtube.com/@reconnected-SCTtumorstories        

Adam Deans was an athletic teenager and had aspirations of becoming a professional athlete.  However, all that changed when he fell down a flight of stairs at school.  At first, doctors thought Adam had dislocated his left knee, but upon getting further medical attention, tests showed he had cancer, known as osteosarcoma in his distal femur.  Doctors recommended chemotherapy, but when that was ineffective, the leg was amputated in 2005.  In 2008, a friend introduced Adam to wheelchair basketball.  Still with his athletic prowess, he learned the sport quickly and became good at it, eventually the Australian national team.  It won the world championship in 2014 and in 2016, Adam played for the national team at the Paralympics at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Adam retired from wheelchair basketball in 2017, but now married with two children, he is happy with his life.   Adam wanted to become a professional football player in his native Australia.  He seemed positioned for such a pursuit until one day in his final year of high school when his leg broke as he was going down a flight of stairs.  Rushing him to the hospital, paramedics initially thought Adam had dislocated his left knee and tried popping it back into place; but at the hospital, tests showed he was going downstairs with a broken distal femur, broken because of the presence of a cancerous tumor.   He soon learned he had osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.  Not only that, but at age 17, he would have to have his left leg amputated, followed by two rounds of chemotherapy.  He was gratified to experience very few of the nasty side effects that come with chemo, the worst being hair loss.   Like most teenagers, Adam wanted to fit in with his peers.  He wondered how that could happen and wondered if girls would find him attractive.  That was in 2005.  In 2008, a friend overcame a great deal of resistance and persuaded Adam to attend a wheelchair basketball practice.  At first, Adam was intimidated at the prospect of simultaneously handling a basketball and a wheelchair, but his athletic prowess kicked in.  He made the local team in Perth, then found a spot on the powerful Australian national team.   In 2014, the Aussies won the wheelchair basketball world championship and was favored to win gold in the paralympics at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  However, the squad came home without a medal after it was eliminated in the quarterfinals.  The following year, Adam retired from competitive wheelchair basketball, but his story should be a source of inspiration for anyone whose cancer diagnosis will result in disability.  He has gone on to get married and has two children.   By way of advice, Adam Deans says anyone diagnosed with cancer should not try to proceed by themselves.  He says anyone diagnosed should not be afraid to lean on others because "that's what loved ones are for."   Additional Resources:   Support Group: Sock It To Sarcoma  https://www.sockittosarcoma.org.au    

What began as a harmless looking spot on Kevin Donaghy's forearm turned into a pair of diagnoses of skin cancer.  The first was Stage II in 2018, but 18 months later, it returned and was diagnosed Stage IV metastatic melanoma BRAF+.  The urologist said Kevin, an IT specialist from Melrose, Scotland, may have six months to live unless he underwent a newly-approved immunotherapy known as pembroluzimab.  That was in 2020, and Kevin is still with us.  The immunotherapy triggered a bout of ulcerative colitis, which left him bedridden for six months, but Kevin says his health is no different than it was before his diagnosis.   In late 2017, Kevin didn't give much thought to a spot he saw on his forearm.  He thought he might have cut himself and didn't know it.  When the spot didn't go away, he sought medical attention.  His doctor said the spot did not look cancerous, prescribed some cream for Kevin to rub on it, and said if the spot changes in size, shape or color, to come back.  The spot made none of those changes, but it also didn't go away.   Kevin was referred to a dermatologist, who called for a biopsy.  He was away on a business trip when he received an urgent phone call stating that Kevin needed to come in that afternoon.  He came in two days later and the dermatologist said the biopsy indicated Kevin had a cancerous tumor in his forearm.  Another biopsy was conducted to see if the cancer had spread to any lymph nodes and thankfully it hadn't.   Not long after the tumor was removed, Kevin received a phone call from the oncologist while walking in downtown Edinburgh.  The doctor told Kevin he was cancer free.  On the sidewalk, he dropped to his knee and wept, overcome with relief.  He thought the worst was over.   However, his health took a turn for the worse some 18 months later when he experienced severe back pain and sought medical attention.  Another biopsy revealed that the melanoma had spread, bypassing his lymph nodes, but resulting in tumors on his right lung and one next to his spine, which was the source of back pain.   Kevin was told he had six months to live unless a procedure involving an immunotherapy called pembroluzimab was successful.  The operation seemed to go well, but at its conclusion, Kevin had to periodically come in for CT scans.  A couple years later, Kevin was contacted by his urologist who said the immunotherapy had shrunk the tumors and again, he was told he was cancer free.   There was one more problem for Kevin.  The immunotherapy triggered ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory disease.  He was bedridden for six months, but eventually survived that as well.   These days Kevin Donaghy says his health is just as sharp as it was prior to his diagnosis, and that going forward he "wants to do more."   He has gone on to write a book, "Stories of Hope and Cancer."  Thousands of copies have been donated to cancer charities around the United Kingdom.  It chronicles the stories of 39 cancer survivors.   Additional Resources:   Kevin's book: "Stories of Hope and Cancer," available on Amazon, with proceeds going to cancer charities throughout the United Kingdom.  

Blood detected in Bob Schreiber's urine led to a diagnosis of Stage IV bladder cancer.  This came after a cystoscopy, in which a tube is inserted into his urethra, taking a picture of the bladder.  Twice without success, Bob hoped BCG treatment would address the cancer by instilling a set of chemicals inside the bladder to strengthen the immune system.  As a result, he had to get his bladder removed.  It was replaced with a neobladder, which was made from his small intestine.  His recovery took close to a year, he has to deal with incontinence at night, but would his overall health is about 80 percent of what it was pre-diagnosis.   In 2015, Bob's cancer journey began when a lab tech detected microscopic drops of blood in his urine.  This got the attention of a urologist, who immediately suspected cancer and called for a cystoscopy of Bob's bladder.  The doctor wanted to make sure there was cancer and that if there was cancer, to make sure it had not spread beyond the muscle of Bob's bladder.  Thankfully, the cancer had not spread, but the photos from the cystoscopy confirmed Bob Schreiber had Stage IV bladder cancer.   Bob was told in terms of treatment, the gold standard is the removal of his bladder, but he learned of a potential remedy called BCG instillation.  Under this procedure, chemicals would be instilled into the bladder to strengthen its immune and defeat the cancer.  Bob and his wife preferred to go this route, but the operation was unsuccessful.   They switched hospitals and made a case for a second attempt at BCG instillation, claiming kidney damage that occurred on the first attempt may have compromised the first attempt's effective.  A new care team went ahead with the second BCG instillation, but it, too, was unsuccessful.  This left Bob with no other option than to have his cancerous bladder removed.   Although he could have chosen treatment that would have left him with a bag to collect his urine, he instead went with a neobladder.  That's a replacement bladder made from his small intestine.  The difficult and dangerous took eight hours. A day after its conclusion, Bob got up and walked around the hospital floor.  And he walked and he walked and he walked.  By the time he was done, Bob said he had walked about a mile and a half!  Hospital staff had done a better job of bouncing back from this particular surgery than any patient they had ever had.  Whereas many patients remained hospitalized after this procedure for weeks, Bob went back home just four days after the surgery was done.   Bob Schreiber said recovery was slow, but he made progress.  He said then, and now, he is able to remain continent during the day but does have incontinence issues at night and has to make trips to the bathroom every three or four hours.   Bob says his health is approximately 80 percent of what it was prior to his diagnosis, but he is extremely grateful to be able to chase after his small grandchildren.   Additional Resources:   Support Group:   The Bladder cancer Advocacy Network: https://www.bcan.org    

Beth Lehman went through a tumultuous year in 2020.  Thanks to heavy drinking, she was diagnosed with cirrhosis, then basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, followed by hepatocellular carcinoma, a form of liver cancer.  She underwent radioactive embolization in order to get a liver transplant.  Beth said the two-hour operation wasn't so tough, but the after-effects were difficult, including nausea and vomiting.  Then she experienced a procedure to get rid of the skin cancer on her right temple.  She says between her physical and emotional recovery, she advocates for cancer patients and is happier than ever.   Beth's alcohol consumption had soared to four or five bottles of wine a day.  In 2020, she began to have a buildup of fluid in her stomach, known as ascites.  For a long time, she avoided consulting a doctor, suspecting a doctor would tell her to quit drinking; but when ascites asserted itself, she sought medical attention.  She was diagnosed with cirrhosis.  Upon further examination, five tumors were discovered in her liver, which led to a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, a form of liver cancer.   This diagnosis came after another diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma, but the skin cancer had to take back seat to the liver cancer.   Beth said her care team first had to determine whether the cancer had spread beyond her liver.  Thankfully, it hadn't.  In order to complete a liver transplant, doctors wanted to execute radioactive embolization, in which radiation beads would be injected into her arteries through her wrist or groin and targeted at the tumors.  However, for that to happen, the tumors had to be 2cm, but her largest tumor was 1.87cm.  Incredibly, Beth's care team told her to go home and let the tumors grow so they would be large enough for it to go through with the radioactive embolization.   Once the tumors grew, Beth went through the procedure, also known as Y-90.  She had to go through the procedure a second time.  Usually, a second procedure comes eight to twelve weeks after the first procedure.  Beth's second procedure came just four weeks later.  She said she was awake during each procedure, each lasted about two hours, but the toughest part was post-treatment, as she had a great amount of radiation in her body, so much that upon returning home, she had to be sequestered from her husband and her pet cats. Once she recovered from her liver transplant, she had her skin cancer treated.  She said her doctors had to go seven layers deep to get all the cancer, but they did such an outstanding job that her incision is not visible.   Beth Lehman once had a lucrative IT position, but these days she works as an advocate for cancer patients, especially liver cancer patients and says she is happier than ever.   Additional Resources:   Support Groups:   The American Liver Foundation https://www.liverfoundation.org   Beth's Nonprofit, The Liver Circle https://www.thelivercircle.org   Beth's Personal Page with Her Story: https://www.bethlehmanliver.com          

After close to a decade of abnormal pap smears, a Cone Biopsy indicated Athena Porter had cervical cancer.  To make sure her diagnosis of endocervical adenocarcinoma didn't spread, she opted for a radical hysterectomy.  With the procedure, her cervix was not the only vital organ removed.  A wife and mother to two daughters, Athena feels blessed that she can return to work on her Iowa farm.    In 2012, she went in for an annual wellness exam.  A pap smear indicated she was HPV+.  Her doctor told Athena a worst-case scenario was cancer, but the virus would likely go away on its own.  She was asked to return in a year.  When she came back, she was still HPV+,  so she underwent a colposcopy, an attempt to get a better look at cells on her cervix.   This led to a LEEP procedure in which cells on her cervix were removed.  The virus was still there, but the procedure showed clean margins.  After more years of being HPV+, in late 2022, Athena underwent a Cone Biopsy, in which a device resembling an ice cream scoop removed cells on her cervix, cells that were sent to the Mayo Clinic.  In early 2023, results came back.  Athena received a phone call at work telling her she had cervical cancer.   Her doctor said by way of treatment, Athena could have only her cervix removed, but she opted for a radical hysterectomy, which would come close to guaranteeing the cancer wouldn't spread.  The hysterectomy removed her cervix, her uterus, the top part of her vagina and her fallopian tubes.  This move came after she and her husband decided their family, including two young daughters, was complete, and that they were okay with having no more children.   Athena was in the hospital for four or five days, then after she was discharged, even with medication, she experienced severe pain when she would stretch or twist.    Athena reached survivorship, and though she would admit her health is not what it was prior to her diagnosis, she feels blessed to be able to return to her office job and work on her Iowa farm.  She also feels blessed that her cancer journey was not as severe as that of others who have also been diagnosed with cervical cancer.   By way of advice, she strongly advises women to get screened for cervical cancer and to get the HPV vaccine.   Additional Resources:   Support Group: Cervivor  https://www.cervivor.org  

Joshua Silva did not take lower back pains and gastrointestinal issues seriously until they worsened, forcing him to visit an emergency room.  A CT scan revealed inflammation of his appendix, necessitating an appendectomy.  A urologist said the scan also showed a problem in his left kidney, later diagnosed as clear cell renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer.  Joshua underwent a partial nephrectomy knowing before the procedure he may lose the kidney.  When he regained consciousness after the procedure, a nurse told him the kidney was spared.  Post-treatment medication and weekly visits to a therapist enabled him to get very close to his pre-diagnosis health.  Among other positive developments, Joshua Silva has resumed one of his major passions, that of playing golf.   Lots of people experience gastrointestinal problems and lower back pain, so when this happened to Joshua Silva of Houston, Texas, a man in his early thirties, he thought with time the problems would go away.  But that didn't happen.  One night the pain became so bad that he couldn't sleep, and he decided to go to the emergency room.   He underwent a CT scan which indicated an inflamed appendix but also showed problems with his left kidney.  What Joshua knew was that he would have to undergo an appendectomy.  What he didn't know with certainty was just what was wrong with his kidney.  Some doctors said the problem might by a cyst or might be cancer.  Joshua prepared himself for the worst and began to think what life would be like if he was diagnosed with cancer and had to go forth with one kidney.   His appendix was removed, but he had to wait an excruciating four weeks to see a urologist, who said he didn't need a biopsy to determine Joshua had clear cell renal cell carcinoma, a form of kidney cancer.    Because the diagnosis came shortly before the holidays, the urologist accelerated the timetable for a partial nephrectomy, seeking to form a care team before its members left for vacation.  The urologist said the margins around the tumor would determine whether he could spare the left kidney or have to remove it.    Even though he was under anesthesia for the procedure, as soon as he regained consciousness, he wanted to know the status of his kidney.  A nurse told him the urologist was able to remove the cancer without removing the kidney.   Just when it seemed like Joshua was on his way toward survivorship, he received some bad news.  The incision point for the partial nephrectomy was very close to the incision point for the appendectomy.  The appendectomy incision had not fully healed, resulting in an infection.  His abdomen area began to swell and turn red.  Antibiotics prescribed after the partial nephrectomy did nothing to address the pain. It was a very difficult three weeks, as Joshua dealt with the pain and sudden uncertainty as to whether he could keep his left kidney.   He was put on a different medication regimen and after three more weeks, the pain and swelling went away.  A subsequent scan showed that he was cancer free.   Joshua Silva says his health is now about 98 percent of what it was prior to his back pains and GI issues, and back out on the links with a single-digit handicap.   Additional Resources:   Support Group:   The Kidney Cancer Association  https://www.kidneycancer.org      

While jogging in 2023, Tessa Parry-Wingfield felt an unusual sensation in her left eye.  It wasn't painful but merited medical attention.  She was seen by three doctors before learning she had ocular melanoma, a form of eye cancer.  Because of the particulars of her diagnosis, she had to undergo an enucleation, the removal of her cancerous eye.  With an acrylic implant taking the place of the cancerous eye, Tessa had an enormous amount of learning ahead of her, most notably what is known as monocular vision.  Amazingly, Tessa has adjusted to her limited vision.  She has resumed running and hiking and driving a car.  Her future includes writing a book and climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.   Tessa was jogging along the River Thames in London when she felt something was wrong with her left eye.  She went to see an optician thinking she needed to change her prescription regarding her contact lenses.  However, upon checking out Tessa's eyes, the optician could see something was wrong, perhaps an astigmatism.   Lacking the necessary equipment for more in-depth scrutiny, the optician sent Tessa to an eye hospital, where they performed various x-rays and scans.  When one of the x-rays of her left eye was held up for observation, half of it was black.  Her care team thought Tessa had a form of eye cancer known as ocular melanoma, or, uveal melanoma, a tumor in the eye.  She was next sent to see an ocular oncologist, who swiftly confirmed the diagnosis.   Many patients diagnosed with ocular melanoma have more than one treatment option, but in Tessa Parry-Wingfield's case, the oncologist performed more scans and tests and immediately told her she would need to undergo an enucleation, the removal of her left eye.    Tessa was under anesthesia for the 90-minute procedure.  It resulted in her getting a temporary prosthetic eye, eventually replaced by an acrylic implant, which she has to this day.   She had to do a great deal of learning to go through daily life with one functioning eye, but that is exactly what Tessa has done.  She has resumed running, hiking and skiing.  She thought it would be a year or so of adjustments before she could drive a car, but her vision tests went so well that, three months after the procedure, her oncologist urged her to get behind the wheel.  Without a left eye, she says she has to look a little farther to the left than she was used to before her diagnosis, but she is now quite comfortable driving a car.   Through her cancer experience, Tessa Parry-Wingfield says she has surprised herself by learning how tough and resilient she can be.   Additional Resources:   Tessa on Instagram: @seeing_life_clearly   Tessa's website: https://www.tessa.parry-wingfield.com  

  For Bhavika Taunk, life took a radical turn in 2017 when her four-year-old son, Kabir, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.  After a bone marrow transplant, he went on an aggressive chemotherapy regimen for two years.  Kabir relapsed twice, but has been in remission since 2020.  Bhavika tells the story of how she cared for her son and how she reaches out to other parents of children diagnosed with cancer.   Bhavika, her husband and two young sons returned from a Disney cruise in April 2017, and both sons felt sick.  While her two-year-old son soon got well, things went from bad to worse for four-year-old Kabir.  He complained of bone pain, first in his wrists, then his ankles, to the extent that he could not walk.  Then he suffered from intermittent fevers and appetite loss.   Kabir was taken to a hospital, where after blood tests, Bhavika was told that a bad virus had settled into her son's bone marrow and that he had been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.  She called her husband with the awful, collapsed on the floor and cried.  Bhavika said this was the most life-changing event of her life.   She went on to say the degree of helplessness accompanying such a diagnosis is overwhelming.  Up until Kabir's diagnosis, she thought she could fix anything in his life that presented a challenge.  Bhavika says the biggest lesson with a child's cancer diagnosis is the total lack of control and it is the worst imaginable feeling.   Bhavika says when caring for a child with cancer that words are very important.  She stresses that she doesn't believe in "hollow encouragement because it is very invalidating to the patient."  She says a parent cannot tell their cancer-stricken child that everything is going to be okay.   Kabir has been in remission since 2020, but still requires a great deal of attention and medical care.   Bhavika Taunk wants very much to come to the aid of parents of a child diagnosed with cancer.  She advocates for parents of Facebook and Instagram, while strenuously calling for increased funding for pediatric cancer patients.   Additional Resources:   Bhavika on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bhavika.v.taunk   Bhavika on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/btaunk/   Bhavika's small business supporting pediatric cancer: Birdsong Tea – Tea With A Purpose    

In 2021, Brian Vesall noticed some pain in one of his testicles when getting in his car.  He sought medical attention, which led to his getting an ultrasound.  After briefly looking at the scan, a urologist confirmed to Brian that he had Stage 2A testicular cancer.  He underwent an orchiectomy to remove the cancerous testicle, followed by an aggressive chemotherapy regimen of bleomycin, etopiside and cisplatin.  But he wasn't done.  Brian also underwent an additional surgical procedure to remove approximately 30 lymph nodes.  As daunting as his treatment was, Brian chose to address it with a sense of humor, which he still has after achieving survivorship and advocating for other men diagnosed with testicular cancer.   Brian's cancer journey began when he felt pain in a testicle as he was getting in his car.  Upon further inspection, he noticed a "hard spot on one side."  He immediately went to see his primary physician, who sent him to a urologist.  The urologist called for an ultrasound and only minutes after seeing its results told Brian he had Stage 2A testicular cancer.  The diagnosis was confirmed with Alpha-Fetaprotein and BHCG, or, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin tests, whose results were far above the normal range.   Addressing his cancerous testicle meant just one remedy, an orchiectomy, surgery that would remove the testicle.  Diagnosed on September 27, 2021, Brian had the procedure done just three days later.  He was told to avoid any lifting and really, just about any type of strenuous physical activity.   In November 2021, the surgery was followed by three rounds of BEP chemotherapy, which stood for bleomycin, etopiside and cisplatin.  Brian said he suffered the usual side effects, including cognitive issues, fatigue and hair loss.    In addition, Brian Vesall had to undergo an additional surgical procedure known as RPLND, or Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection in June 2022, to remove approximately 30 lymph nodes   Brian's health is pretty much back to normal, but a byproduct of his treatment regimen is that he suffers from retrograde ejaculation, meaning that semen travels backward into the bladder during orgasm instead of exiting the penis.   By way of advice, Brian Vesall says if you experience the symptoms of testicular cancer, you should act right away, and at all times, be your own advocate   Additional Resources:   Support Groups:   Man Up To Cancer: https://www.manuptocancer.org   The Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation: https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org   Brian's Speech at TCAF's San Diego Conference: https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/blog/tcc-2024-vesall   Brian's Appearance on the TCAF "It Takes Balls" podcast: https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/blog/brian-vesall-it-takes-balls-podcast-guest            

Marcel D'Allende was in outstanding health, an avid hiker in the mountains overlooking her hometown of Cape Town, South Africa.  However, in October 2021, she began to experience shortness of breath and extreme fatigue.  That led to a diagnosis of Stage IV non-small cell adenocarcinoma, or lung cancer.  Determined not to let cancer define her, she underwent a treatment regimen of radiotherapy, then chemotherapy with carboplatin and pemetrexed, and immunotherapy with durvalumab.  In September 2022, a PET scan revealed Marcel was cancer-free.  It took a little while for her to get back up to speed, but has returned to an active lifestyle, and every weekend, you can find her hiking the mountains.   Marcel thought she was in terrific health, but in the fall of 2021, suddenly she found herself out of breath on a recurring basis.  Her difficulty with breathing became so acute that shortly after beginning a weekend hike with friends, she had no choice but to turn around and return to the base of the mountain.  Things worsened when she had frequent coughing spells.   She was seen by her general practitioner, who recommended she see a pulmonologist.  The pulmonologist called for a CT scan, which revealed a tumor on a lung, and a diagnosis of Stage IV lung cancer in January 2022.    Marcel, who during her adult life smoked cigarettes off and on, immediately thought of her father, who passed away from lung cancer in 2000.  She was afraid she would suffer the same fate.  However, her doctor said that her father's fate didn't have to be hers because of major advances in medicines and technologies in the past twenty years.    She was determined to not let her life be defined by cancer, saying at all times, one on a cancer journey must have hope.  At the same time, she says one can be hopeful without being delusional.    Her diagnosis was difficult enough, but she soon felt the sting of the stigma that often accompanies a lung cancer diagnosis.  When informing friends about her diagnosis, many of them told her should not have smoked. Marcel's treatment begins with six weeks of radiotherapy treatment, which she thought wasn't so difficult.   Next was six cycles of chemotherapy, specifically carboplatin and pemetrexed.  The worst side effects she experienced were nausea and fatigue.   Then, Marcel's oncologist introduced her to a newly-approved form of immunotherapy called durvalumab.  It is usually prescribed for a duration of twelve months, but she was taken off the immunotherapy at the nine-month mark because spots were detected on her lung.  The spots cleared in March.   In September, Marcel D'Allende underwent a PET scan that showed she was cancer-free, which she has been to this day.   She had to start slowly, but Marcel's health is back to normal, and she has returned to her weekend home, hiking trails outside Cape Town.   Additional Resources:   Support Group:   Cancer Association of South Africa  https://www.cansa.org.za   Marcel's Written Account of her Cancer Journey:   https://cansa.org.za/breaking-the-silence-around-lung-cancer/    

In November 2019, Margo Wickersham noticed blood in her urine.  Three months later, she was diagnosed with two types of bladder cancer.  After an aggressive chemotherapy regimen, she underwent a radical cystectomy and a hysterectomy in June 2020, resulting in the removal of her bladder, uterus and ovaries, all this during the quarantine phase of the COVID pandemic.   Ever since, Margo has been cancer-free, but she had to get fitted with a stoma bag and had to learn how to manage it.  The bag is an annoyance, but she considers it a small price to pay in order to stay alive.   When Margo first noticed blood in her urine, she sought medical attention, thinking she had a urinary tract infection.  It turned out she didn't have a UTI, but she still thought something was wrong.  She underwent a cystoscopy, which captured a photo of a cauliflower-shaped tumor in her bladder.  Next up was a biopsy, which indicated she had Stage One bladder cancer.  Her urologist prescribed BCG immunotherapy.   Margo sought a second opinion and her doctor ruled out BCG, because further probing turned up a second type of bladder cancer, plasmacytoid, and said it could not be addressed with BCG.  He called for an aggressive chemotherapy regimen.  He also said in addition to a radical cystectomy, which would remove Margo's bladder, he said a hysterectomy would be necessary, a procedure that would remove her uterus and ovaries.   Both were performed in June 2020.  Because that was during the quarantine phase of the COVID pandemic, neither Margo's husband nor members of her family could visit her.   After the procedures, Margo was cancer-free.  However, her life would never be the same after she had to wear a stoma bag into which her urine would go.  Sometimes the bag leaks when filled beyond its capacity.  She accepts this as her new normal and says she can deal with it, but has to think ahead in terms of access to a bathroom.   By way of advice, Margo says one's primary emotion should be that of hope and not stress.   Additional Resources:   Support Group:   Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network  https://www.bcan.org   Margo's Book, available on Amazon and Kindle:  Gratitude in the Storm – When Not Dying Is Enough to Keep Fighting   Margo's merchandise line: www.ThriverSurvivor.shop, with a portion of the revenue going to the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, to fund bladder cancer research

    When she began experiencing severe bruising and fatigue and turning pale in late 2013, Casey Kang sought medical attention.  This led to a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.  She was placed on an aggressive, 18-month chemotherapy regimen, which included doxorubicin and methotrexate.  Casey relapsed three times during which she was placed on an experimental immunotherapy.  All told, she spent 168 days in a hospital, but Casey achieved survivorship.  She is now a coach who helps women diagnosed with cancer through the physical, mental and emotional challenges that occur after treatment.   When Casey Kang experienced various aches and pains at the end of 2013, she thought they were tied to holiday- or work-related stress.  She sought medical attention, was prescribed ten days of antibiotics, and was told to return in two weeks.  During the ten days, things got worse.  She was stricken with extreme fatigue, bruising, vision issues and her turning pale.  While this went on, she continued to go to work.  She underwent blood tests, and they revealed she had leukemia.  Even before the test results came back, her care team called for a bone marrow transplant, so sure were they that she had cancer.   Casey said her cancer was subsequently diagnosed as acute lymphoblastic leukemia.  Because of its aggressive nature, she was put on an aggressive, 18-month chemotherapy regimen.  It included doxorubicin and methotrexate.  She experienced two relapses and was prescribed an experimental immunotherapy.   Multiple hospital stays totaled 168 days.  During that time, Casey learned how mentally tough she was and is.  As much as she disliked the time in the hospital, she was sure to create a routine that would get her through the day.  Casey used the hospital floor's exercise bike and walked laps around the floors, with 17 laps equaling a mile.   Despite a grueling journey, Casey Kang achieved survivorship.  She is active on social media, as she works tirelessly to aid woman diagnosed with cancer to make them physically, mentally and emotionally strong when dealing with life after treatment.  As for herself, she says her overall is better than it was before her diagnosis.   Additional Resources:   Casey's Website:   https://www.thehappierhustle.com   Casey's Free Guide:   https://casey-head.mykajabi.com/free-guide          

Stacy Martin says genetic testing saved her life.   The testing indicated she had the CDH1 mutation.  The mutation gave her an 80 percent chance of getting gastric cancer and a 60 percent chance of breast cancer.  She opted for a prophylactic total gastrectomy to remove her stomach and addressed the possibility of breast cancer with a bilateral mastectomy.  Without a stomach, Stacy has had to change the way she eats, requiring food every two hours, and having to completely chew everything she eats.  Despite this live-changing surgery, Stacy is leading a healthy and happy life.   Unlike most people with cancer, Stacy's diagnosis was not preceded by symptoms.  Her mother had already been diagnosed with Stage IV uterin cancer.  That prompted Stacy and her siblings to undergo a genetic panel test.  It revealed Stacy had the CDH1 mutation, which meant she an 80 percent chance of getting gastric cancer and a 60 percent chance of breast cancer.    She had three options but chose to be proactive with a prophylactic total gastrectomy in 2019, a procedure that removed her stomach.  It was after the surgery that pathology revealed Stacy had gastric cancer in her removed stomach.    After successfully addressing the possibility of stomach cancer, she did the same with breast cancer with a bilateral mastectomy in 2020.   Stacy Martin said the toughest part of her cancer experience wasn't the treatment, but what she dealt with upon its completion.  She said she had to learn how to eat, and that without a stomach, she had to eat every two hours.  While she took snacks with her wherever she went, she had to alternate between snacks and something more substantial, making sure she got enough protein and carbohydrates.  Anything she ate had to be completely chewed because she no longer had the gastric juices in her stomach that break down food.  The only thing she can't eat are raw oysters because she says they are impossible to chew.   Stacy says genetic testing saved her life but admits it is not for everybody because the decision to go forth with such testing is a deeply personal decision because some people don't want to know what the tests could reveal. Despite her cancer journey, Stacy lives a happy life.  She resumed her passion of hiking near her home in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and consumption of nuts resulted in her establishing Seahorse Snacks, which she operates out of her home.   Additional Resources:   Seahorse Snacks: https://www.seahorsesnacks.com   No Stomach For Cancer: https://www.nostomachforcancer.org          

In 2019, Jonathan Gegerson sought medical attention went he felt a lump on the right side of his neck.  After a couple of scans and a biopsy, he was diagnosed with salivary duct carcinoma, a rare form of head and neck cancer.  Jonathan survived, but not before enduring 67 sessions of radiation, 12 cycles of chemotherapy (carboplatin, taxol, herceptin) and seven surgeries.  He still undergoes a targeted therapy on a monthly basis, and the surgery has affected his speech and his diet, but Jonathan has resumed an active lifestyle that includes skiing and hiking.   Jonathan Gegerson thought his health was outstanding.  He was an active skier and liked to hike up Colorado's 14ers (mountains whose peaks exceed 14,000 feet), but was perplexed when he discovered a lump on the right side of his neck.   He did not waste any time seeking medical attention and went to his primary care physician.  She conducted a physical examination and asked if Jonathan had recently undergone a root canal or some dental procedure that could result in an infection.  When he said no, the doctor sent Jonathan to an oncologist, who called for a CT scan, a PET scan and a biopsy.  That's when he was diagnosed with head and neck cancer, even though at the time doctors could not specify what type of head and neck cancer.   His doctor in Colorado said Jonathan would need to undergo surgery, followed by radiation treatment and chemotherapy.  When Jonathan learned his care team had no experience with dealing with his type of cancer, he sought a second opinion from MD Anderson in Houston, Texas.  The doctors at MD Anderson suggested the same regimen, but Jonathan switched to them because they had experience dealing with salivary duct carcinoma.   His care team told him his treatment would result in a tightening of his face and would affect his speech, in addition to his ability to chew and swallow.   The chemotherapy regimen included carboplatin, taxol and herceptin.  He said the chemo left him weak and tired, especially two days after each round of treatment.  This, he said, was very frustrating because he was accustomed to being active.  During this time, the best he could do was go on short walks.   When Jonathan experienced a recurrence, he was placed on a targeted therapy of kadcyla and herceptin.  He eventually achieved survivorship but must continue to be on a monthly targeted therapy of unhertu and herceptin.   Jonathan Gegerson says his health is approximately 75 percent of what it was before his diagnosis, but he feels he blessed that he is living, is back to hiking and skiing, and hopes to continue skiing until he is 90 years old.   Additional Resources: Jonathan's Book: "Perspective C," available on Amazon and Kindle  https://a.co/d/4iW9BQ6      

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. Additional Resources: Karen's Website: https://www.karenhumphries.com.au Karen's Book: Chronic Wisdom  

Note: Erin Cummins passed away in early 2026.   Erin Cummings was 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.   Once she achieved survivorship. she was 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     

Art Still's body felt the ravages of playing professional football for twelve years, but when he suffered atrial fibrillation, he sought medical attention.  His doctor suggested he undergo a genetic test, which revealed he had the variant for a disease known as amyloidosis.  While not cancer, if left untreated in a timely manner, it can lead to various types of blood cancer.  Early detection, periodic shots and medication will not get rid of the variant, but they will team up to keep from developing into blood cancer.  Art pays attention to diet, exercise and the right amount of sleep, and says he enjoys a healthy lifestyle.   Art accepted carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger and a torn biceps muscle as the byproducts of his NFL career, but atrial fibrillation was different. Through the National Football League Players Association, he went to New Orleans for a thorough physical and mental examination. His doctor suggested Art undergo a genetic test to see if Art had a variant for amyloidosis, a disease which if left untreated can be linked to various types of blood cancer.  A brother of his had undergone heart replacement, and another brother needs one.  That combined with the suggestion from the doctor was enough to get Art to take the test, and sure enough, it indicated he had the V122I variant, which Art says affects one in 25 African-Americans.   He is now on a regimen that includes medications and periodic shots.  It will not rid Art of the variant, but keeps it at bay so that it doesn't become cancerous, affecting other organs like kidneys and the brain.   Art Still wants to maximize awareness of amyloidosis, and has established a website that provides a wealth of information on the subject so that like Art, others can get in front of the disease.   Additional Resources:   Art's website: https://www.amyloidosisarmy.org Art's website raising awareness for rare heart disease: https://www.still4life.org          

Diana Ash had suffered from irritable bowel syndrome much of her life, but in 2019, she believed the IBS symptoms she felt were something altogether different.  Her concerns were proven correct when an ultrasound indicated a mass near her abdomen the size of a "mini football."  Not long after that, she was diagnosed with Stage 1C Ovarian Cancer.  Diana underwent an oophorectomy, a surgical procedure that successfully removed one ovary and one fallopian tube.  After the surgery, she had to undergo BEP chemotherapy, an extremely aggressive regimen.  However, she achieved survivorship and has written a book about her experience.   Diana Ash led an active lifestyle in her hometown of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.  She enjoyed hiking, running and diving; but ever since she was a small child, Diana dealt with irritable bowel syndrome.  In 2019, in addition to IBS' typical symptoms, she experienced fatigue and loss of appetite.  When she sought medical attention, she was told her problem was IBS and nothing more.  To Diana, that was not a satisfactory response.   She insisted on blood work and an ultrasound.  The latter revealed a mass near her abdomen.  It measured 10 X 16 cm, or as she said, "the size of a mini football." Diana pressed doctors for more information and accurate information, and she was eventually diagnosed with Stage 1C ovarian cancer.  She was shocked with the diagnosis, but relieved that her cancer had been caught at an early stage, which is not typical for those diagnosed with ovarian cancer.   Diana underwent an oophorectomy, a surgical procedure which removed one of her ovaries and one of her fallopian tubes.  The surgery was a success, but her surgeon said the procedure was the easy part of her treatment.  Next up was an extremely aggressive chemotherapy regimen.  BEP chemotherapy includes cisplatin, bleomycin and etoposide.  Diana experienced the usual side effects, but was even more difficult was her being told that she would no longer be able to run or dive.   There was also the matter of childbearing.  She received a Lupron injection, which meant she had to deal with its side effects while dealing with the side effects from her chemo regimen.  She was eventually able to freeze some of her eggs, which will enable her to have kids.   Diana Ash achieved survivorship and wants to help others diagnosed with cancer.  Fueled by a message emphasizing optimism and self-advocacy, she wrote "Take Back The Power," available on Amazon.  The book was written in English, but as a bilingual Canadian, she hopes to one day translate the book into French.   Additional Resources:   Diana's Book: "Take Back The Power," a guide for young women with cancer      

On today's @CancerInterviews podcast, Joe Brennan tells us how he survived testicular cancer.  He says in April 2024, he noticed his right testicle was unusually hard, and immediately sought medical attention.  His urologist called for an ultrasound, which revealed a cyst on the testicle, which led to a diagnosis of seminoma pT1a, or Stage One testicular cancer.  That led to an orchiectomy, a surgical procedure that removed his right testicle and his spermatic cord.  Joe said recovery from the surgery was much tougher than the procedure itself, but after two weeks he was back at work as a financial coach.  He says these days his health is back to what it was before his diagnosis.   Joe was in the shower one day when he noticed that while his left testicle felt normal, the right testicle was hard, "like a baseball."  He didn't waste time and scheduled an appointment with a urologist, who made a fist and said a normal testicle will feel like the 'meat' part, or soft part of the hand; but said if a testicle has that sort of hardness, like a knuckle, that should be a cause for concern.  When the urologist determined Joe's right testicle had that hardness, he said an ultrasound should be performed on Joe's testicles.  It showed a cyst on the right testicle, the urologist said cancer was likely indicated, and he was right.   The necessary procedure was an orchiectomy, which was surgery aimed at removing the cancerous testicle and Joe's spermatic cord. Joe said he was under a general anesthetic for the two-hour procedure, which was a success.  However, he said what followed was much more difficult.  He thought he would be back at work as a financial coach in a day or two, but that wasn't the case.   Joe Brennan said he was laid up for close to two weeks.  He said he experienced a lot of pain "down there."  He had trouble walking, couldn't do any heavy lifting and needed to take Vicodin for a couple days before switching to ibuprofen.  He was eventually able to return to work, could walk normally and could play with his small children, which included picking them up.    Joe says those two weeks were tough.  He said he would allow himself an hour each day to be sad, which sometimes involved breaking down in tears, as he still wasn't certain about his recovery, but other than that hour, he wanted to be positive and upbeat for his wife and children. Joe Brennan says he is doing fine but advises men to "check their balls" once a month, so that if anything is wrong, the prospect of testicular cancer can be detected and addressed at an early stage, as his was.   Additional Resources:   The Testicular Cancer Society: https://www.testicularcancersociety.org   Joe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jsbrennan/   Joe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/official.jsbrennan      

In this episode of the Cancer Interviews podcast, we will hear from Robin Centner of  Ryland Heights, Kentucky.  She learned she has the PMS2 gene, which is one of the genes that causes Lynch Syndrome, a form of colon cancer.  She found this out through genetic testing.  She was inspired to get tested because her father died of colon cancer at age 52 and her mother passed away from kidney cancer at 49.  Robin is what is known as a previvor.  Because of genetic testing, she learned of the PMS2 gene and because of its presence, with additional and frequent testing, if she is diagnosed with colon cancer, it will be detected at the earliest possible stage, positioning her for a positive outcome. When Robin learned that one of her cousins has Stage IV colon cancer, at age 46, she went in for her first-ever colonoscopy.  It revealed one polyp, but it was non-cancerous and was removed.  Her gastroenterologist asked her to come in for another colonoscopy a year later.  This time she saw a different GI specialist who said that second colonoscopy indicated Lynch Syndrome and urged Robin to see a genetic counselor for testing.  This was in 2012, when genetic testing was in its infancy and cost more than $1500, a procedure many insurance companies would not cover.    Nonetheless, Robin Centner got the genetic testing, which later led to her immediate family getting it as well.  One of her boys, Connor, tested positive for Lynch Syndrome, but because of genetic testing, the Syndrome was detected early.    She says if one's family history includes colon cancer and/or kidney cancer, genetic testing is an excellent idea, as it positions family members for early detection if cancerous polyps are found.  Robin says among the symptoms of colorectal cancer are that of lingering abdominal pain, lingering diarrhea or constipation.   Robin Centner says very simply, "genetic testing saved my life," and that the same procedure that cost her more than $1500 in 2012, now runs about $300, and that is if it not covered by insurance.  

In late 2018, Samina Cepal went in for her routine pap smear, but her visit turned out to be anything but routine.  It led to a CT scan, a pelvic ultrasound and a diagnosis of cervical cancer.  Samina underwent a grueling regimen of chemotherapy (cisplatin) and radiation therapy, simultaneously.  She experienced acute fatigue, weight loss, hair loss and despair, but three months later, her doctor said she had no evidence of disease.  These days, Samina can exercise, which includes vigorous use of a hula hoop, and has regained her appetite and her pre-diagnosis weight.   Samina Cepal referred to her annual pre-Christmas pap smear as her gift to herself.  She had never experienced anything abnormal with any of her previous pap smears, and had every reason to think this visit would be no different.  However, when the nurse noticed bleeding, she wanted Samina to be seen by a doctor.  The doctor ordered a pelvic ultrasound and said it appeared Samina had cancer.  A subsequent biopsy revealed she had Stage 3B cervical cancer.   In early 2019, Samina began a regimen of chemotherapy, which morphed into a simultaneous regimen of chemotherapy and 28 doses of radiation therapy.  While Samina now makes her home in Birmingham, United Kingdom, at the time she was living in her native island of St. Lucia.  Limited resources forced phases of her treatment to take place in Martinique and Guyana.    Her treatment regimen concluded with brachytherapy, which included painful insertion into her vagina.  Samina barely had any energy but was determined to survive because she wanted to be there for her two teenage sons.   Three months from the time she was diagnosed, she was stunned to hear from her doctor that there was no longer any evidence of disease.  Samina had little strength, but she found a way to fly home to St. Lucia, in time to be present at a celebration of her son's eighteenth birthday.   Samina is amazed when she thinks of how much she has overcome to return to almost the same level of health she enjoyed prior to her diagnosis.  She enjoys long walks, gets to workout and exercise, and really enjoys using her hula hoop.   Additional Resources:   Cervivor: https:www.cervivor.org        

Cynthia Mitchell has been diagnosed with intraheptic cholangiocarcinoma, a type of bile duct cancer.  Her story is about how she, like many with such a diagnosis, never attained complete survivorship, but is living a rich, fruitful live.  In 2021, she experienced severe heartburn.  When it persisted, she underwent an ultrasound, which revealed a large mass on her liver.  Further tests determined Cynthia had cholangiocarcinoma just before Christmas Day, and she had a liver resection scheduled for January 2022.  The procedure was a success, but had a recurrence the following summer and it was Stage IV. Cynthia then went on a regimen of oral chemotherapy.  She took capecitabine, also known as xelota.  The regimen was very difficult.  Cynthia was told she will never achieve full-on survivorship, but she is able to do exercise on a limited basis and leads a happy life with her husband and two children.   Prior to her diagnosis, Cynthia enjoyed great health in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.  She ran, engaged in aerobics and weight training.  However, in 2021, she began to experience severe heartburn, followed by acute right quadrant pain.  She saw her primary care physician who dismissed her pain as symptoms of menopause.  When the problems persisted, she went in for an ultrasound, which showed a large mass on her liver.  A subsequent CT scan confirmed what looked like a metastatic lesion.  Then just before Christmas that year, a liver surgeon examined an MRI, said it was cholangiocarcinoma, and scheduled a liver resection for the following month.  The surgery went well.  She had clean margins, no lymph node involvement, and at that time it was confirmed Cynthia had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.   Her care team said she had a 20 percent chance of survival for five years, which under the circumstances was considered a high rate.  In March 2022, Cynthia went on a regimen of oral chemotherapy, with capecitabine.  Even though oral chemo is not supposed to be as traumatic as other types, she suffered all the side effects tied to chemotherapy, such as nausea, fatigue, cognitive issues and hair loss, all this while she trying to raise two children.   Cynthia got through that regimen and is now on a less difficult targeted therapy. If her health was 100 percent before her diagnosis, she says health is now between 85 and 90 percent.  She cannot exercise as strenuously as she once did, but says she can talk her dogs for a walk, sometimes as many as ten kilometers a day.  Cynthia knows that now and going forward, she will have certain limitations, but is very grateful to live what she calls a full life.   Additional Resources:   Support Group:   Canadian Cholangiocarcinoma Collaborative: https://www.cholangioma.ca    

Rebecca Esparza is a survivor.  She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and thyroid cancer, and she is still with us, advocating for others diagnosed with cancer.  In 2001, when she appeared bloated, she sought medical attention, thinking the problem was tied to fibroid tumors.  However, she was diagnosed with Stage 2B mixed yolk sac ovarian cancer, a rare form of the disease.  While she was undergoing surgery, doctors made the decision to perform a "life-saving" radical hysterectomy.  The operation was a success, but she needed to go on a chemotherapy regimen involving cisplatin, bleomycin and etiopicide.  Rebecca achieved survivorship, but in 2008, she was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer.  Treated with radioactive iodine, she again survived.  These days, Rebecca, in her hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas, is an energetic cancer patient advocate on an individual and legislative level.   Rebecca Esparza was leading an active lifestyle in 2001, one which included running and aerobics.  However, she started to experience fatigue and back pain, feeling bloated all the time.  She had had fibroid tumors in the past and thought they might be the problem, but her doctor ordered a transvaginal ultrasound.  Surgery was performed.  It removed the tumors, but also revealed a rare form of ovarian cancer.   Rebecca called this the darkest time of her life.  Not only had she been diagnosed with cancer at age 30, but during the surgery, doctors felt in order to save her life, they would have to perform a radical hysterectomy.  Furthermore, because of work situation, Rebecca did not have health insurance or $20,000 for a deposit on the cost of her treatment.  She was eventually able to proceed with the next step of her treatment, chemotherapy, thanks to indigent care aid from her county.   That regimen included three drugs. They were cisplatin, bleomycin and etopicide.  The four-month regimen was very toxic, very difficult, but Rebecca survived.  She ate little and when she did eat, she could rarely keep anything down.  As a result, she lost 40 pounds, leaving her with a weight of 80 pounds. The drugs damaged her nervous system and to this day, she has neuropathy, resulting in numbness and tingling in her arms, hands, feet and legs.   Unfortunately for Rebecca Esparza, her cancer journey was not over.  In 2008, she was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer.  A few months after her diagnosis, she underwent a left neck dissection in which they removed the entire thyroid and 15 lymph nodes. She was prepared to on a regimen of radioactive iodine, consumed in pill form; however, a body scan revealed that wouldn't be necessary because the surgery removed all the cancer, and once again, Rebecca was in remission.   Today Rebecca endures the complications from her treatment for both cancers, but feels blessed she is still around to experience those complications.  She advocates for individuals diagnosed with cancer and she goes before state legislatures in an attempt to increase funding for cancer research.    

When Celeste Guptill noticed her stomach appearing swollen to an unusual degree, she thought it might be due some sort of gastrointestinal issue.  However, a CT scan showed she a tumor that produced a fluid called mucin, which produced the swelling.  The tumor was surgically removed, which led to a diagnosis of pseduomyxoma peritonei, a rare form of appendix cancer.  She needed a second surgery, called HIPEC, which includes heated chemotherapy.  The recovery from the chemotherapy was much than the procedure itself, but Celeste achieved survivorship, and has happily gone back to being a mother of eleven.   Celeste Guptill of Keizer, Oregon had just had her tenth child and was posing for a family photo shoot.  Upon seeing the photo, she noticed that her stomach area seemed more swollen than usual.  At first, she thought she this was a result of aging, as she was turning 40, that or something gastrointestinal.  But she could feel something abnormal in her stomach and decided to get it checked.  That led to a CI scan, which revealed a tumor.  Celeste's primary care physician referred her to a gynecologist, who said she couldn't treat the tumor because it appeared cancerous.  She next saw an oncologist at Oregon Health Sciences University in nearby Portland, who said the tumor needed to be surgically removed and biopsied to find out what kind of cancer it was.    At first, doctors thought it was ovarian cancer, but after the biopsy, they couldn't figure out what type it was.  They eventually confirmed it was pseduomyxoma peritonei, a rare form of appendix cancer, also known as PMP.  They initially proposed a hysterectomy, because without one, the cancer could spread, but Celeste opposed the idea, and the idea of the hysterectomy was shelved.    Celeste located a PMP specialist at MD Anderson in Houston, and decided to get treated there.  After a six-month waiting period, she underwent a step procedure called HIPEC. It included what is known as heated chemotherapy, administered while under a general anesthetic.  The procedure removed most of the omentum, where a lot of abdominal cancers originate.  They go in and scrape, remove everything cancerous, then seal the area back up.    Celeste said the recovery was very painful.  She had tubes in her, through which surgical debris was removed, she was creeped out by her normally dry skin becoming "greasy and waxy," and she experienced some hair loss.  However, the doctor said the surgery was a success, as it was able to remove all of the cancer.   Celeste Guptill has achieved survivorship, claiming that physically she can do everything she could do prior to her diagnosis.  Because she did not have her uterus removed, she went on to have an eleventh child, which she calls her miracle baby.   Additional Resources:   Support Group:   PMP Pals: https://pmppals.net    

After experiencing gastrointestinal issues in 2022, it took a total of four visits to ERs and an urgent care before a CT scan revealed Sarah Bennett had a mass in her duodenum, near her pancreas.  The mass later led to a diagnosis of a rare cancer, neuroendocrine.  She did not have to undergo a Whipple procedure, but did have to take an oral form of chemotherapy.  That preceded a successful surgical removal of the mass.  Sarah achieved survivorship and said her health is very close to what it was before her diagnosis.

Jon Brent shares his story of surviving acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of blood cancer.  He was diagnosed at age two.  Jon had to undergo an aggressive chemotherapy regimen, which included vincristine, dexamethasone, methotrexate and prednisone; but that wasn't enough, because he also had to face a bone marrow transplant.  Between his diagnosis and his treatment, Jon has been in pain all his life, and expects to always be in pain.  Nonetheless, he approaches life with a smile and happily takes part in ultimate Frisbee and playing the drums.   Jon Brent of Windsor, Ontario, Canada was an energetic toddler, then suddenly in 1995 he became unaccountably lethargic.  His parents sought medical attention.  Blood work revealed very high white blood cell counts, which led to his diagnosis of acute lymphblastic leukemia.  Jon was told his type of cancer has a very low survival rate.   Doctors prescribed three years of experimental chemotherapy protocols.  The medications he took included vincristine, dexamethasone, methotrexate and prenisone.  Unfortunately, after those three years, Jon relapsed and had to undergo a bone marrow transplant.  Jon was grateful that unlike bone marrow transplants from an earlier time, much of his procedure was executed with a pill.  That said, byproducts of the transplant were shingles, chicken pox and Stage IV Graft Versus Host Disease, which affected his stomach, liver, skin and lungs.   As if cancer wasn't tough enough, Jon Brent had to deal with it while going to elementary school, where kids can be cruel.  However, Jon credits his mother with teaching him how to "self-regulate" and how to deflect the inevitable barbs from his classmates.   By way of advice, Jon Brent reminds anyone diagnosed with cancer that they are not alone.  He says the grief from a cancer diagnosis is non-linear.  It comes with sadness, some anger and a lot of questions.  Jon says one doesn't have to endure a setback and pretend it doesn't hurt.  He says everyone on a cancer journey can and should be on a team.   Additional Resources:   Support Groups:   Man Up to Cancer: https://www.manuptocancer.org   Childhood Cancer Canada: https://www.childhoodcancer.ca      

In this Cancer Interviews podcast, Hans Rueffert shares the story of how he survived Stage 3B gastric stomach cancer despite double digit surgeries that resulted in the removal of his stomach, jejenum and esophagus.  Following the surgeries, he had to go on a regimen of chemotherapy and radiation.  Hans, a chef by trade, achieved survivorship, but without a stomach, closely monitors what he eats and how much he eats.  Incredibly, Hans Rueffert says he has as much energy as he had, pre-diagnosis, and is an active participant in pickle ball.   Hans Rueffert is a chef from Jasper, Georgia, and says in the restaurant business, stress comes with the territory.  So, in 2005, when he experienced acid reflux, blood in his stool, and had trouble swallowing, he dismissed them as occupational hazards.  But when he experienced what he thought was a heart attack, he called 911.  He had severe chest pains and the left side of his body was numb.  Soon he was in the hospital, where he was told his blood oxygen level was that of an infant, and doctors suspected internal bleeding.  Further probing revealed a tumor at the junction of Hans' stomach and esophagus.  Subsequent biopsies resulted in a diagnosis of Stage 3B gastric stomach cancer.   As if his diagnosis wasn't bad enough, Hans was told the five-year survival rate for his type of cancer was around ten percent.  He says in 2005, the protocol was to perform surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation.  The procedure would involve a partial gastrectomy and a partial esopagectomy, the removal of the top half of the stomach and the bottom of the esophagus.  The procedure is also known as a gastric pullup.   The surgery was a success.  Next up was the chemotherapy, which Hans said "cooked" the junction of the stomach and esophagus, known as the anastomosis.  As a result of the chemo and subsequent radiation, Hans developed leaks in the anastomosis necessitating an additional dozen surgeries.  Doctors concluded that to stop these leaks, they would have to perform yet another surgery, in which all of Hans' remaining stomach and esophagus would have to be removed.    Without a stomach and an esophagus, Hans says he can chew and swallow almost anything, but without a stomach, the process of breaking down food becomes more difficult.  As a result, he has to closely monitor what he eats and how much because there is less room to store what he has consumed.    Hans Rueffert is able to maintain a healthy diet and incredibly, he says his energy level has returned to what it was prior to his diagnosis.  He has taken up pickle ball.   Additional Resources:   Support Group:   The Gastric Cancer Foundation: https://www.gastriccancer.org