Every cancer survivor has a unique story to tell. Cancer survivor stories help inspire other patients going through treatment to stay positive. Here are a few of the most inspiring cancer survivor stories from 2016.
2016 Inspirational Cancer Stories
Lynda P.
Lynda was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time in 2011. Last year, after five years with no sign of disease, she was diagnosed with a completely different type of breast cancer. Lynda and her family took control of her diagnosis and beat it with aggressive cancer treatment and the support from Dr. Heather Allen, medical oncologist, Dr. Michael Anderson, radiation oncologist, and Dr. Margaret Terhar, breast surgeon from Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada.
To show her friends and family that she is a true fighter, and won’t let cancer define her, Lynda ran the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure in May during treatment. Here at Comprehensive, we are honored to be able to help Lynda to keep running.
Guy C.
Guy was first diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2010. He underwent surgery to remove the tumor.. In 2012 the cancer came back. He saw Dr. Nicholas Vogelzang, medical oncologist, and was diagnosed with stage IV kidney cancer that metastasized to his femur. Chemotherapy successfully treated the cancer for two and a half years, but when it came back in 2015, chemotherapy didn’t have the same positive effect.
Dr. Vogelzang offered Guy a form of cancer treatment called immunotherapy, which uses the body’s own immune system to attack the cancer cells. Guy receives treatment once every two weeks. Guy states, “I feel so lucky to have lived as long as I have because statistically, I should not be here today. I have Dr. Vogelzang and his team to thank for that.” At Comprehensive Cancer Centers, we feel that we are the lucky ones to be able to treat Guy and help him continue to spend quality time with his family and friends.
Lysa B.
When Lysa turned 40, she started experiencing such severe back pain that it landed her in a local hospital. Doctors discovered she had Stage IV lung cancer that had metastasized to her spine, ribs and pelvis. She immediately began an aggressive cancer treatment plan that included three surgeries, 10 radiation treatment cycles, and five months of chemotherapy.
It wasn’t until January 2013 that Lysa met Dr. Nicholas Vogelzang, medical oncologist. By that time, 16 new tumors had developed in her lungs and her condition was getting worse. Dr. Vogelzang expedited the cancer testing process and found a gene mutation that affects less than one percent of those diagnosed with lung cancer. With this discovery, she was eligible for a targeted therapy drug called Xalkori, commercially known as Crizotinib. After just three months of treatment on Crizotinib, her scans showed significant improvement. Six months into treatment with Dr. Vogelzang, there was no sign of the disease in Lysa’s body.
Today, more than five years after her initial diagnosis, Lysa is still in remission. She volunteers with the American Lung Association and helps raise money for cancer research. Lysa states, “thanks to pure strength and incredible advancements in the treatment of lung cancer, me and so many others are looking ahead to the next five years and well beyond.” The staff at Comprehensive Cancer Centers is proud to be a part of Lysa’s treatment and recovery.
Discover More Cancer Stories of Hope
Cancer affects all of our lives, but more people survive and live to share their stories than ever before. The doctors and professionals as Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, an award-winning Nevada oncology group, dedicate their careers to helping people fight and beat cancer every day. Visit our website at www.cccnevada.com/patient-stories to read more of these inspiring cancer survivor stories. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, call 702-952-3350 to schedule an appointment.