Stand Up For Cancer

My grandfather was a longshoreman on the Chelsier piers from the 1940s to the 1970s. He was a rugged, family man who stayed in great shape well into his 70s. In August of 1990, he was diagnosed with Cancer in his kidneys. He passed away six months later after the disease ravaged his body. He weighed less than 100 pounds when he died. It was the first time Cancer entered my life and not the last.

I noticed a problem, and put off going to the doctor for too long. I never thought it could be cancer. When the diagnosis came, I refused to accept it, but finally realized I had to be strong for my daughters, who did not need to be raised by their father. I had stage 4 colon cancer, at 47 yrs old, with no family history.

As a single working mother of two daughters, I remained strong, and with prayer and assistance and support from many friends, I kept my spirit strong, and after a year long battle, am now a survivor.

Accept assistance from friends, stay positive and enjoy every day as if it is your last, make the best of everything you do and keep faith and hope alive.

Thanks to all who are with me, forever!! cause I am not ready to give up!!STAND UP!!

I am a single mother of two girls, ages 13 and 19. I work full time and to say my life is busy is an understatement.

I had been putting off my "annual physical" for several years. I am very diligent about yearly pap tests, mammograms, trips to the dentist, etc. But I just couldn't find the time to squeeze in that one extra doctor visit.

For some reason, the thought popped into my head that I needed to make an appointment. I first had my visit scheduled for April, but I cancelled and rescheduled for June 27th. I was feeling a little tired,(what middle aged mother doesn't), a little out of breath (it was summer and I am overwieght) and I had a small black and blue mark that was taking a long time to heal (there is Diabetes in my family - no worries) I went for my doctor visit and then off to work. The next day my doctor calls me at work insisting I come in right away. Here we go, it's Diabetes. To my shock, the doctor tells me that my white blood cell count is 1.9, normal is 10. She wants me to go to the ER ASAP. Instead of going to the nearest hospital, we chose Stony Brook Univ. Hospital as they are a teaching hospital here on Long Island.

I was admitted to Stony Brook on June 28, 2007, diagnosis Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia. I was inpatient for 27 days enduring several bone marrow biopsies, two different rounds of chemotherapy and many different kinds of medication. To say they saved my life is an understatement. Only 1200 people are diagnosed with this type of Leukemia. And although it is very rare, it has one of the highest success rates of complete remission. It affects mainly young children and middle age women. It is not hereditary and is caused by Chromosome #17 becoming defective.

I am so grateful for all the research that has been done. The treatment for this cancer was perfected in 2004 - 10 weeks of Arsenic and a year of chemotherapy drugs.

Currently I am halfway through my treatment and I feel great. While every one goes through that period of panic as you face your own mortality, I never thought that I could not beat this. I have been in remission for a year now and I plan on staying that way. I don't dwell on the negative and I thank God for everyday. I have changed my lifestyle to include organic foods, plenty of rest and exercise when I can. It's hard, but my life and my daughter's lives are worth it. It's funny, if I went for my visit in April, the Leukemia would not have shown up and I would not have had the treatment as quickly as I did. I can honestly tell you, miracles do happen, they have happened for me.

I would like to thank all the staff at Stony Brook Hospital and the outpatient Cancer Clinic. They are the best. I also want to thank everyone who spend their lives tirelessly searching for treatments and cures for cancer. I want to let all of you know that your efforts do not go unnoticed. You are the heroes, I am just along for the ride.

I live in Mahwah NJ and was diagnosed with a very agressive brain tumor, Glioblastoma Multiforme in December 2005. I had surgery soon after and had radiation and chemotherapy at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in NYC. I have survived 33 months as of now and currently still am under the care of the medical professionals there. The mean survival for this tumor is 15-18 months. I am blessed and thinking positvely with support and prayers from everyone. I believe that the Brain Tumor Center at Columbia and all Drs.there have kept me alive with their decisions. When I go there every 8 weeks to get an MRI and see my Dr. the people at the hospital are so glad to see me. My family and my coworkers are also so supportive.
I would like to help others who have cancer with support.