Patient Perspectives
Every cancer survivor has a story—one filled with fear, hope and courage. While these survivors have many things in common, from the heart-wrenching diagnoses, to receiving some combination of chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy – none of their stories are exactly the same. The types of cancer are different, the way it affects their bodies and the way their bodies respond are unique. To battle this disease, teams of physicians, nurses and clinicians work together to treat each patient individually. With tailored treatments and one-of-a-kind responses, miracles happen every day.
Here are a few patients at Cancer Care Northwest who wanted to share their personal journey through the battle against cancer. If you'd like to share your story or have feedback, email marketing@ccnw.net.
Vicki was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of plasma blood cells present in bone marrow. In order to get healthy, Vicki underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy treatments and received an autologous stem cell transplant.
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Jessica McMackin
Jessica was diagnosed young with a form of genetic breast cancer after testing positive for a BRCA mutation. The result of the test encouraged her sister to be tested for the same cancer. Jessica's treatment included a breast lumpectomy, chemotherapy and preventative surgeries.
Catherine “Kitty” Kane
Catherine was diagnosed with Peritoneal Cancer after a scheduled surgery was complicated by a tumor on her appendix. To treat this rare abdominal cancer, Catherine recieved Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemofusion (HIPEC), or heated chemotherapy, by the only physician in several Western states to perform this procedure at Cancer Care Northwest.
Holly Swanson
Holly was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC), a rare cancer that causes swelling, redness and makes the skin feel hot. A mammogram, radical masectomy, radiation therapy and chemotherapy saved her life.
Aline LeSage
A biospy and a transvaginal ultrasound confirmed that Aline had uterine cancer. Using the new, minimally-invasive option for cancer surgery, the da Vinci Surgical System, Aline had a complete hysterectomy and the tumor removed.
After a mammogram and biopsy test, Carol was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), nor non-invasive cancer of the milk ducts. This "marathon warrior" underwent a double masectomy and is now running cancer-free.
A sore throat and cold-like symptoms led Craig to believe he might have laryngitis or acid-reflux. With no relief from antibiotics, Craig underwent a biopsy that concluded his symptoms were due to throat cancer. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy allowed Craig to begin his journey towards survivorship and a cancer-free life.