Patient Stories

Shane Canady

On Friday, January 21, 2005, I woke up with a swollen neck and back pain. My grandmother said I would have to go on to school because I had an important math test that morning. She said she would pick me up at 11:00am. I only wanted to go home and take a nap when she came for me. She called my pediatrician, Dr. Feltus, only to find she was gone on Friday afternoon. My grandma told Susie, the nurse, that she thought I had the mumps, but was quickly corrected because I had had the immunization. Susie told us to go in Saturday morning to the doctor on call and get checked out – it could be a bad case of strep throat. It wasn’t strep.

On Monday, I went in for blood work. Maybe it was mono! Tuesday morning, the doctor saw us in her office, but the blood work was not back. Wednesday morning we returned and told her I had chest pains during the night. By now, I was really freaking out! She sent us for chest x-rays. By the time we got home, she called and told us to come back to her office right away. She then told us that I might have lymphoma or leukemia and sent us home to pack a bag to go to the hospital. She set up a biopsy for the next morning. Things were moving so fast and we were afraid.

On Thursday, I had my first surgery, a biopsy. I had a hard time waking up and couldn’t get enough oxygen. My lung area was filling up with fluid. Later, they did a complete body CT scan. Dr. Feltus and her other partners were right there with me. They were wonderful! There were tests, tests, and lots of doctors and nurses.

Friday morning, they drained 1160cc’s of fluid from around my lungs while my grandma held my hand. I wished I was taking another math test instead. Later that day, on January 28th, Dr. Yandel came into my room. I‘ll never forget his words, “You have cancer! To be exact, it is a rare form, T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma.” And so it began, a spinal tap for a bone marrow biopsy and then came a series of surgeries for a triple Hickman (catheter), then an Ommaya reservoir (for receipt of chemo). All kinds of tests were done for heart, lungs and kidneys.

From being a carefree surfer, enjoying living at the beach and attending my senior year at high school, I had become a victim of cancer, fighting for my life! I moved from the pediatric floor to the cancer floor. I had met a vast number of care givers. A whole new vocabulary was born: lymphoma, triple Hickman, Ommaya reservoir, hyper C-Vad, methotrexate, vincristine, adriamycin, to name a few. I was told from the start that I would have to go through eight rounds of the chemotherapy. Then would come a bone marrow transplant followed by radiation. It was overwhelming, but I just had to go day by day.

Nothing is exactly from a text book, and my case was no exception. I was in and out of the hospital for many months. There were many blood transfusions and platelet transfusions. We learned to read the blood work. What are the counts? That was always the question. Although I felt that my home had become the hospital and I had so many nurses, they were all wonderful to me! During my treatments, my teachers came to the hospital or home to home school me so I could graduate on time. I will forever be thankful for their support and time! Graduation was a highlight that they made possible.

Throughout my illness, I met and bonded with new friends as we went through this ordeal together. Age didn’t matter. We shared our stories and our life as we fought our battle every day. We laughed and cried and enjoyed daily meals together. Sometimes, I didn’t know if I would make. My grandma saved my life being by my side since day one. After months of treatment at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge and Holmes Regional, I returned to recuperate at the beach. I longed for a ride on just one wave, but was grateful that I would once again have that opportunity.

Then, I arrived at the Cancer Care Centers of Brevard (CCCB) for the final round of radiation treatment. I started with a new group of doctors and nurses and a whole new treatment. I went everyday for five weeks. Dr. Holasek, my radiation oncologist, was very patient with me; she took time explaining all of the pictures and procedures that would be done at CCC. All of the staff made my time spent in treatment as pleasant as possible.

Now, I am cancer free. I am a survivor! I have a new lease on life. Life is good. I want to become a nurse to help others. Thanks to the American Cancer Society, I have a scholarship to Brevard Community College (BCC). I want to be able to give back to society now and am glad that I can. I have had many life-changing experiences and have so much to be thankful for. All around me, I was surrounded by loving and caring people.

Sincerely,
Shane Canady
Cancer Survivor

Suzy Stack

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in both breasts in 2002. At first, I was devastated just knowing that I had something horrible growing inside of me that should not be there. There was not just one, but two tumors in two of my breasts! I thought my life was over and that I would never live to see my beautiful grandson grow up. Both tumors turned up malignant, but with the grace of God, my lymph nodes were not touched. I was certainly one of the lucky ones!

The doctors informed me that I had to go through chemotherapy and radiation to make sure one tiny cell had not escaped into my body somewhere else. This was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. Chemo and radiation, ugh!!! I had heard from several people that chemo makes you deathly sick and radiation burned your body. But, what choice did I really have? I certainly didn’t want a recurrence of this disease in another few years.

I used to love sewing and embroidering prior to my diagnosis. This was the love of my life. I gave it all up when I underwent chemo. I had no desire for doing anything. When I began to lose my hair, my husband went out and bought me a wig, but I wouldn’t wear it. Anyone wearing a scarf on their head scared the heck out of me, as I knew they were going through the same thing that I was. So, I wore a baseball cap everywhere I went and even went out “bald” when I was angry enough to do so.

I finished up my chemo and it was time for radiation. It scared me to no end to have to go through this every day for 24 treatments. I didn’t think I would have a body left. The girls at Cancer Care were nothing but fantastic and assured me that I would come through this fine. And I did!

My husband was diagnosed with rectal cancer in September of 2006 and went through radiation as well. Luckily, he was able to exclude the chemo and again, by the grace of God, his lymph nodes were not affected. At this time, I was able to tell him not to worry, radiation would save his life!! We both wondered WHY did this affect us both when neither one of us had cancer in our families. I researched everything I could regarding cancer and its genetics, and was very surprised to find out that ANYONE can contract this disease.

Finally, I did it!! I had my last appointment with my oncologist in January of 2007 and he released me. He told me to get back into doing the things that I loved before cancer and I did just that!! My husband bought me a top-of-the-line Viking embroidery and sewing machine and I love having my life back again! We bought him his dream after we found out that he was going to be okay, a Harley Motorcycle which we both enjoy. We have our lives back once again. I thank God for every day I wake up and see the sunshine and thank God that we made it and I can now say, “I am cancer free!!” Thanks to all the technology that we have today, I can watch my grandson grow up and enjoy my life again!! God bless everyone that has to go through what I went through, but thank God for all those supportive persons that helped me get there. They reached out to me and when I was down and out, they lifted my spirits and told me that I was going to conquer this disease.

I have thanks to all of my doctors and the people that have helped me get through these past five years. Sometimes, I felt that I wasn’t going to make it, but with the help and support of some wonderful people, I did, as did my husband!! My only prayers to those of you who are going through this are, keep the faith. You will make it!! Enjoy every day of your lives and keep on trucking with good feelings and don’t give up!! I do believe the power of positive thinking and through it, wonderful support will lend itself and make you well!!

Sincerely,
Suzy Stack
Cancer Survivor

Christopher Gillard

When I was diagnosed with my first cancer (lung) I was pretty apprehensive about my first appointment at the Cancer Care Center. I had already had a lung removed and had recovered nicely from the surgery and now I was going down another unfamiliar road. From the moment I set foot in the door on Pine Street, I knew this was a good place. From Paquita’s lovely smile and warm welcome to the kind care from Michelle and all the techs— my anxiety melted away. I was not a very spiritual person, but this place just felt comfortable and where magic happens. All through my treatment, I had the best care. Real concern was shown toward me by the technicians Paul and Mary and, of course, Michelle. I came through this chapter with flying colors. I was able to return to work as a merchant marine nine months after my diagnosis and surgery.

On my return from sea, I was diagnosed with another primary cancer (esophageal) and had to start all over again. With that, I walked through that door again, but with a much lighter heart. Although things didn’t go as well this time and the treatment was very debilitating, this experience showed the true colors of my care-givers who were splendid in keeping me focused and not letting me throw in the towel. This time, I also had more appointments and met the rest of the doctors who I felt all coordinated my care beautifully. When I couldn’t see Dr. Charles, I never felt like I was seeing someone else. Dr. Pancito and Dr. Holasek were so helpful to me and my family when side effects were really bringing me down and managed my discomfort brilliantly. I became claustrophobic for some reason during the treatment and Paul was great at easing my anxiety and giving me countdowns while I had to keep still under the machine. Of course, when I needed a pep talk, there was Michelle and Maliaka to hold my hand and just listen to my complaints. The patient is everything to these professionals. Granted, it is great to have the cutting edge tools (which Dr. Charles tirelessly campaigns for), but without the dedication of all these people, it wouldn’t be the Cancer Care Center. This is a place where magic happens.

Sincerely,
Christopher Gillard
Cancer Survivor