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By Susan Gee
I am writing this on behalf of my lifelong friend, Linda, who has survived her fourth bout of colon cancer (fourth stage). We have been friends since the first grade and she has always valued my opinions and suggestions – together we strove through this difficult time and as of today she is cancer-free.
Eight years ago she was diagnosed with colon cancer about a month after her father had passed away from the dreadful disease. She had surgery and all went well – the doctors thought they got it all. One node came back positive so she did have chemo, but it was one of the mildest forms and side effects were few. She did get sick with the accumulation of treatments, but never lost her hair.
About a year and a half later she ended up in emergency with an obstructed bowel, but fortunately there was no sign of cancer. She had surgery to correct that and did well once again. About 2 years after that she went in for her check-up and her CEA (carcinogen) levels were elevated, so she had some additional tests done and they found she had another malignant tumor. This time it was colon/rectal cancer and although the surgery was more complicated, she came out of it without the colostomy. She could have chosen to have it, but being single and only 45 and the surgeons being optimistic they could get it all, she chose not to. Hindsight would prove to be different. She once again underwent chemo treatments, but in late summer , another malignant tumor appeared in her colon and this time it had infiltrated her bladder. Another surgery, a colostomy, and another long road. This time they could not remove the entire tumor in the bladder area so she underwent chemo treatments and radiation. About three months after completing that she got the news on Christmas Eve at my home that the cancer had spread to her liver. This time the treatments would be more radical. She started very harsh treatments in and they took their toll.
Down to 89 Pounds
From January to March she went down to 89 pounds, lost all her hair, ended up dehydrated two different times, and was having balance problems. My friend for the first time was really looking like a cancer victim and struggling to go on. She did go for a second opinion of which the oncologist had agreed with the same treatment but just a different approach. Her local oncologist still did it the way he thought best. Through all this he was painting her a rosy picture like things were going along fine. My husband and I thought differently as did some of her family members. Linda had faith in her doctor even when no one else did. It was understandable because after all he had pulled her through three other times.
This time things were NOT looking good and with her being in the midst of it all, I don't think she had any idea how fast things were spiraling downhill. She did not see herself in as bad a way as she really was. I had started researching different clinics for her via the Internet, news articles, advertisements, etc. After checking out a few that seemed to offer nothing for her type of cancer, I heard an advertisement for Cancer Treatment Centers of America. I called their 800-number and found out that one of their top facilities was only 3 hours away from us. Linda did not have the means to fly to the ends of the earth, but here this was something hopeful and accessible. I received the information in the mail and was absolutely amazed at their "whole body" approach in their treatments and their integrated care. They treat the whole body and not just the cancer. That meant nutritionally, spiritually, psychologically, and medically. It was with no doubt in my mind that this was what Linda needed whether she survived her ordeal or not.
She did not instantly call and set up an appointment as she still had faith in her doctor. It took us almost two months to convince her but she finally agreed and is forever grateful she made that decision. When she told her local oncologist that she was going there because she needed the "whole body" approach, he was not for it at first, but then a week later told her to go because he couldn't do anything more for her. He had given up and basically handed her a death sentence. He handed her a note for Social Security that stated she would never work again and that she had a limited life span. This came down like a rock on Linda because she was led to believe, up until then, that he thought things were going along just fine – NOT! I wouldn't let it crush her spirit or hope and she didn't either. She was a fighter and a believer. I didn't know what the end result would be for her, but I knew doing something even at the expense of being wrong was better than doing nothing. We forged ahead and fortunately had her first appointment in Zion already made at the time of the bad news.
A Treatment Plan
When we took Linda to Zion, they admitted her immediately and her surgical oncologist had a treatment plan instantly in mind. She was to start chemo treatments containing four different drugs and she would have the intra-arterial treatment directly to the liver one day each visit. With the chemo they fractionate the doses over 4-5 days so it's not as harsh and has a longer lasting effect. They started her immediately on nutritional supplements through IV and by the end of her first week there she was back up to 100 pounds from 89. They also rectified a parasitic infection that she had that was missed by her local oncologist. She had suffered with diarrhea for two solid weeks and when she called the doctor's office in her home town they just kept telling her it was from the chemo and that they would increase her Lomodil (anti-diarrhea medication). I told her that something wasn't right with that, but until we got to Zion we didn't know what.
Although she had to stay down there for the 5 days (first time inpatient and the following times outpatient) she had three quality weeks when she went home with very few side effects. She went home with a TPN, which is a home device that she would hook up for 12 hours each night, giving her the nutritional supplements she was receiving in the hospital. I believe without it she would have died of malnutrition. Statistics prove that over one third of cancer patients die of malnutrition or complications caused by it. How does your body have a fighting chance against such an enemy without the proper nutrition? It keeps your good cells alive and well and the difference it makes is astounding. In just one session of treatments, Linda's CEA levels had dramatically reduced and a tumor that was on the surface of her stomach had went from the size of a quarter to about a pea. After the second series, the tumor was no longer evident and her CEA levels were near normal.
In a mere 20 days of treatments (over 4 months) the scans and tests done in the fall miraculously concluded that she was cancer-free and still is as of today. She certainly isn't out of the woods and she goes back every three months for follow-ups, but from where she was and where she is – we'll thank God for each day. Cancer Treatment Centers of America literally saved her life – there is not a doubt in her mind, mine, or many others who witnessed the direction she was headed prior to going there. She was back for her scan in January and all came back clear. She will be back again in April and all we can do is pray for the same results. After 5 years CTCA plants a tree in your honor as a cancer survivor – we're definitely shooting for that goal.
The most important message I want to get through to anyone out there is "Don't let ANYONE rob you of hope." It is a gift that God gives us and no one has the right to take that from you. If things aren't going well with your treatments or you are feeling like giving up, DON'T! There are places out there that will stick with you and fight with you all the way. Keep searching and keep praying. Our search was fortunate to end at Cancer Treatment Centers of America and proved to be a Godsend. They can't save everyone nor do they make any promises of any kind. In my opinion, they are just the best fighting chance out there and it would be my very first choice of places to go to, not my last. Even if it is your last resort, they will fight diligently with their integrated care to preserve your life. I guarantee they will at least give you a quality of life you wouldn't get anywhere else. On top of that the entire staff treats you like family – they know you by name and their care is immeasurable. By the way, Linda has returned to work full time and looks great, feels great and above all is grateful.
Linda does not have a computer so I took the liberty of sharing her story in hopes of helping even one person or giving hope to one person. We both have signed up under the "Cancer fighter program" at Zion as volunteers. We are no way affiliated with the hospital – this is just our success story we wanted to share with others. May God bless you each day with the challenges and decisions that face you. He has guided me along my path as He has with Linda. Above all, keep hope alive! I have always loved the song "The Impossible Dream." As the lyrics sing out "to reach the unreachable star," I have found that the "unreachable star" isn't money or fame, it is hope and life and we found that in Zion, IL at CTCA. My prayers and best wishes are for all of you. Please don't hesitate to contact me via email or phone (listed below) if I can answer any questions or be of assistance. My girlfriend would be happy to talk to anyone as well.
Susan Gee
1203 Dodge St.
Kewaunee, WI 54216
920-388-4498
Email: geewhiz@itolcom