Cancer Interviews

      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 tells the @CancerInterviews podcast he feels better than he did before his diagnosis.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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          

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      

After Joe Brennen noticed that his right testicle was unusually hard, he immediately sought medical attention.  An ultrasound revealed a cyst on the testicle and a diagnosis of Seminoma pT1A, or Stage One testicular cancer.  He underwent a successful surgical procedure which resulted in the removal of the testicle and his spermatic cord.  Joe said the recovery was much rougher than the procedure.  It caused him to miss two weeks of work and left him in pain that he addressed with Vicodin and ibuprofen.  Joe rallied, recovered and says his health is very close to what it was before his diagnosis.

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 and radiation therapy.  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.

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Driven by a family history of cancer and her expertise as a nurse practitioner, Robin Centner was proactive when she learned she carried a gene tied to colon cancer.  She called upon a genetic counselor and underwent genetic testing.  She says this screening saved her life, as from it she learned the gene is predisposed to colon cancer.  Thanks to annual colonoscopies, if she is diagnosed with colon cancer, she will be positioned for early detection, maximizing her chance of survivorship.  This is her story of being a colon cancer previvor.

What Rebecca Esparza thought was fibroid tumors led to a diagnosis of ovarian cancer at age 30.   Unbeknownst to her until after her surgical procedure, doctors performed a radical hysterectomy.  In addition to a difficult chemotherapy regimen, Rebecca had to deal with all of the above with no health insurance.  Rebecca made it to survivorship only to learn years later, she had papillary thyroid cancer.   However, she again made it to survivorship and is a tireless cancer advocate.

When Celeste Guptill believed her stomach was swollen a bit more than usual following the birth of her tenth child, she thought it might be due to age or some sort of gastrointestinal issue.  However, a CT scan revealed a tumor leading to a diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), a rare type of appendix cancer.  The tumor was surgically removed, but Celeste was fortunate to find a specialist who performed a second procedure called HIPEC, which included heated chemotherapy.  Cancer-free for more than five years, Celeste says that physically, she can do everything she could do prior to her diagnosis.

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.

At age two, Jon Brent was diagnosed with a type of blood cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia.  He underwent an aggressive chemotherapy regimen, including vincristine, dexamethasone, methotrexate and prednisone, but after that still needed a bone marrow transplant.  He has achieved survivorship but is still in pain and expects to some extent he will be for the rest of his life.  Jon can no longer compete in contact sports but is an active participant in ultimate Frisbee.

When Hans Rueffert learned he had gastric stomach cancer at age 33, he had to have half of his stomach and half of his esophagus removed, followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatment.  However, because gastric juices were leaking into his lungs, he subsequently had to undergo surgery removing both his stomach and esophagus in full.  It was a battle, but Hans achieved survivorship.  He has to watch what he eats and how much he eats, but Hans has resumed his life as a chef, and is an active participant in competitive pickle ball.

Cancer patients are often urged to be fierce advocates for themselves as they go through a cancer journey; but members of their care team can also serve as advocates.  In this interview, Hardeep Phull, MD discusses how one's doctor can advocate for his or her patients, with advocacy addressing insurance coverage for a needed procedure and assistance in getting a patient to qualify for a clinical trial.

Cancer just will not get the best of Don Helgeson.  A retired member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, he survived malignant melanoma in 1996 and colorectal cancer in 2007.  Just when he thought the disease was in his past, he was diagnosed with Stage 3B prostate cancer in 2020.  He opted to have his prostate removed, but thanks to a successful surgery, he achieved survivorship and enjoys excellent urinary and sexual function.

A print and runway model, Christine Handy withstood a lumpectomy, two mastectomies and a MRSA infection, plus a chemotherapy regimen featuring Herceptin and taxol to survive HER2+ breast cancer.  That inspired her to write a book, “Walk Beside Me,” and to produce a film, “Hello, Beautiful.”

  What Deb Krier thought was a routine mammogram turned into a Stage Zero diagnosis of breast cancer.  Stage Zero became Stage III, which was upgraded to Stage IV HER 2+ invasive breast cancer.  Deb opted for a double mastectomy with no reconstruction.  She was subsequently diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, then papillary thyroid cancer.  Through 33 surgeries, she has survived all three cancers.

Vicki Wolf was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 37.  Ductal Carcinoma in SITU was successfully addressed with a lumpectomy.  However, Vicki was diagnosed with the same type of cancer just two years later.  Again, a lumpectomy.  When Vicki was 47, she was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.  She survived that diagnosis but was again diagnosed with this type of breast when she was 58. That was in 2017.   Vicki survived, but not before undergoing a double mastectomy.  She now leads an active lifestyle and works as an advocate for men with breast cancer after her brother, Harvey Singer, was diagnosed.  They formed a non-profit, His Breast Cancer Awareness.

An ultrasound revealed a large mass in Melinda Bachini's liver, and that led to a diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma, a form of bile duct cancer.  Doctors removed two thirds of her liver.  Unfortunately, her cancer returned three months.  Melinda was hoping to take part in a clinical trial, but when insurance wouldn't cover a clinical trial, settled for a chemotherapy regimen.  When the chemo didn't help but left her with a bunch of awful side effects, she decided to end the chemotherapy treatment and live as long as she could.  Then she and her husband found out about another opportunity for a clinical trial, pursued it, qualified for it.  The trial led to her achieving survivorship.

When Kay Kays was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 1994, she not only had few treatment options, but she had no way of knowing this would be the first of four such diagnoses; but she survived each one, the last in 2008, and is still going strong.  She is now able to do just about everything she could do prior to her initial diagnosis and continues the fight as a cancer research advocate.

Chest pains and severe fatigue drove Valerie David to seek medical attention, which led to a diagnosis of Stage 3B Cell Diffuse Large Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  A chemotherapy regimen helped her achieve survivorship.  However, years later, she discovered a lump under her armpit.  After getting it checked out, she was diagnosed with Stage 2 Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, a form of breast cancer. Again, aided by a chemotherapy regimen, Valerie survived this diagnosis, but not long after that, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.  Despite the staging, Valerie was prescribed a less aggressive form of chemotherapy, and survived.  Inspired by her cancer journey, she written and starred in an award-winning one-woman play, “The Pink Hulk,” seen through the United States and in Europe.

When Joe Bullock began experiencing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, he thought he could address it with an over-the-counter medication.  However, when the symptoms persisted, he went in for a colonoscopy.  It revealed an 8cm tumor.  He got it removed and had his colon reattached, but his care team found three cancerous lymph nodes resulting in a diagnosis of Stage 3B colorectal cancer.  Through an aggressive chemotherapy regimen, Joe achieved survivorship.  He now works with Man Up To Cancer, a support group that seeks to help men with the mental aspect of a cancer journey.

Thanks to a misdiagnosis, for two months Amanda Ferraro was walking around with acute myeloid leukemia and didn't know it.  But after a return to the doctor's office and subsequent bone marrow biopsy, Amanda was diagnosed.  After an aggressive regimen of induction chemotherapy, she went into remission; but six months later, the cancer returned.  Amanda underwent another bone marrow biopsy and was put on another chemo regimen.  She was told the only thing that could save her would be a stem cell transplant.  Miraculously, a donor was found, and the transplant was performed.  These days Amanda is a patient advocate and pushes for laws in the New Jersey Legislature that come to the aid of those diagnosed with cancer.

In 2018, Beth Brubaker was clobbered by a double whammy.  First, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, then four days later, she learned she was pregnant.  Her initial diagnosis was Stage Zero Ductal Carcinoma In Situ; however, after a lumpectomy, further tests revealed Beth had HER2+ Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, presenting as Paget's Disease.  This required an immediate mastectomy to get rid of the cancer in her left breast, following by an aggressive chemotherapy regimen.  While she was carrying a child and dealing with chemotherapy, Beth continued working as a schoolteacher.  Through all this, she achieved survivorship, and had the blissfully uneventful birth of a daughter, Harper.  

For Kevin Jurge, what began as a sore throat in 2013, led to the removal of his tonsils, and that led to a diagnosis of Stage IV head and neck cancer.  Kevin's oncologist said Kevin didn't have to undergo chemotherapy but did require radiation treatment to attack cancerous lymph nodes.  He said the regimen made his throat feel like sunburn, pain which lingered months after the conclusion of his treatment.  He also lost his ability to taste.  However, Kevin survived, can once again taste food and beverage and seeks to help others with his book, “Go To Your Happy Place.”

After Mandy Basson's teenager passed away from Ewing's Sarcoma, she was inspired to establish a support group for a rare cancer that has at least 175 variations.  This is her story.

Anna Tower-Kovesdi went to an urgent care facility when she noticed bruises on her leg and felt unusually fatigued.  That led to a diagnosis of leukemia.  Thanks to a regimen of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, plus a positive attitude and tireless support from her husband, Anna achieved survivorship.  She goes on long walks and each week makes several trips to the gym.  This is her story.

Harriet Cabelly went to an emergency room because she felt dehydrated; but her visit led to a CT scan, which led to a biopsy, which led to a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.  Thanks to six rounds of chemotherapy and a positive attitude, Harriet achieved survivorship.  She has returned to a healthy lifestyle, which includes taking up ballroom dancing.

For Pete Hill, a colonoscopy led to a diagnosis of bowel cancer.  His treatment regimen included a temporary stoma bag and chemotherapy, but he achieved survivorship.  Having a stoma bag required some radical changes in his diet and its removal required still more changes, but says his health is “80 percent” of what it was before the diagnosis.  This is his story.

Rob Capuano woke up one night with a severe pain in his stomach.  He wanted to be seen at an urgent care, but due to COVID, the facility couldn't admit him.  When he was seen, he had to insist on an MRI, which resulted in his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.  Between surgery and chemotherapy, Rob achieved survivorship.  He is also thankful that the hospital where he was treated was sensitive to issues tied to his being a married gay man, because, says Rob, not all health care facilities have staffers with those sensitivities.  Rob says his health is very close to its pre-diagnosis level, and works as an advocate for cancer patients.

For Cindy Clark, fatigue led to a doctor's appointment, which led to a biopsy and a diagnosis of cervical cancer.  However, thanks to a regimen of radium and chemotherapy, Cindy achieved survivorship.  She has been cancer-free since 2006.  Cindy now works as an advocate for the Cancer Association of South Africa.

After years of sunburn as a kid, in his twenties, Steffan Tubbs noticed an unusual-looking mole on his chest.  After two failed attempts to surgically remove it, some thirty years later, he was diagnosed with melanoma.  A third procedure removed the cancer in its entirety.  When he goes outdoors, he takes a series of precautions to limit his exposure to the sun and tells everyone to make sure that with regularity they are seen by a dermatologist.

What began as an obstruction of Matthew Rosenblum's bile duct became a diagnosis of Stage Four pancreatic cancer, of which he learned via his cellphone.  After two clashes with chemotherapy and two surgical procedures, Matthew leads a healthy lifestyle.  Going forward, he wants to be an advocate for others diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  This is his story.

When fifty-something Raphaela Ilgenfritz started feeling tired all the time, she thought her fatigue was tied to menopause.  That led to a serious of doctor visits, which led to a colonoscopy, which led to a diagnosis of rectal cancer, or, as it is more commonly in the United Kingdom, where she lives, bowel cancer.  She had to be outfitted with a colostomy bag, a challenge she immediately embraced.  Raphaela founded Stoma4life, a support group for those with below-the-belt cancers, which grew into a podcast, heard on UKHealthRadio.  This is her story.

When Cinde Dolphin survived lung cancer, she thought cancer was in her past; but then she went on to be diagnosed with three different types of breast cancer.  Cinde not only survived them but invented an improvement of a long-used fluid drainage device.  In addition to working to help others diagnosed with cancer, she has resumed her active lifestyle, which includes hiking, running and surfing.

When Chris White noticed a bump on his rectum, he thought it was nothing more than a pimple.  Not only did the bump turn into a diagnosis of a rare type of skin cancer, but the cancer metastasized to his brain.  In addition, to get the treatment he needed, Chris faced barriers from his insurance carrier and the windows for the much-need clinical trial, but he overcame everything in his path.  He has resumed snowboarding and skateboarding and travels the country as an inspirational speaker.

It was only when Claudia Tatum was being checked for a chronic cough that it was discovered she had a rare form of renal cell carcinoma.  Removal of a kidney required a radical hand assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy, a procedure that led to survivorship.  Claudia puts her journey and her experience as an oncology nurse together to help others through the Kidney Cancer Association.

When Tim Sohn spotted some unusual bruises on one of his legs, he sought medical attention.  This led to hospitalization and a subsequent diagnosis of a form of blood cancer, chronic myeloid leukemia.  With the aid of two types of oral chemotherapy, Tim survived.  His experience inspired him to help others diagnosed with cancer, in the form of a book and a live podcast.  This is his story.

When Elise Fourie went to get checked out for mouth ulcers, she soon found herself diagnosed with follicular thyroid cancer.  Two treatment rounds of radioactive iodine led to survivorship, but she faces occasional challenges that come without having a thyroid.  That doesn't stop her from being a highly active volunteer with the Cancer Association of South Africa.

When Josh Tehan's four-year-old son, Ethan, started feeling tired all the time while complaining of lower back pain, that led to a hospital visit.  Shortly thereafter, Josh was stunned with the news his son had been diagnosed with leukemia.  As Ethan underwent a regimen that included chemotherapy, Josh spearheaded in-home care for Ethan that included numerous family members.  Ethan survived leukemia, and now as a teenager, he is a straight-A student who plays basketball and hosts a podcast.  This is the story of the emotional and mental challenges Josh faced as his son's caregiver.

Sayen Gates' training as a medical assistant came in handy when her aunt was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer.  This is the story of how she combined her expertise and her compassion to address the challenges that came with leading her family's care for her aunt.

A kickboxer and an ultramarathoner in his early forties, Dale De Steno was in excellent health.  That's why he was stunned to be diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer.  Thanks to a targeted therapy regimen, he survived, but 18 months later, the cancer returned.  In the Autumn of 2023, Dale passed away, but his family and friends still want you to hear his story