A collaborative effort between five County organizations to raise awareness of the importance of early detection and treatment of cancer by profiling the stories of local survivors has featured nine northern Maine residents impacted by the disease since its launch in February 2014.
Courage in the The County is a public service campaign presented by TAMC, Northern Maine Medical Center, Clukey’s Auto Supply and NorStateFederal Credit Union. The survivors are featured monthly on WAGM-TV and their stories are shared with all County media organizations.
In early January, the partners put out a call to the community for County cancer survivor stories. The nine people featured since then are representative of both the large geographic area of The County and a number of different types of cancer afflicting people through the region.
Among the Courage in The County profiles are two breast cancer survivors. The list also features those who have been afflicted with Kidney, Prostate, Blood, Brain, Appendiceal, and Colon Cancer, as well as Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
The following are the stories of those who have courageously shared their experiences of cancer detection, fighting the disease, and survivorship since February 2014. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the two Breast Cancer Survivors lead the tribute.
In November of 2000, Betty had gone for a mammogram and everything had appeared fine. In January of 2001 she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.
“I told my husband and my daughter that we’re going to get through this,” said Betty. “They were very upset, but I simply told them that we’re going to stay strong and get through this together.”
Betty was scheduled for four chemotherapy treatments to reduce the size of the tumors before she could have surgery. She had had biopsies done which revealed that there were three separate masses that needed to be removed: one under her arm, one in her breast, and one on her chest.
In April of 2001, Betty had double mastectomy, both a radical and simple, at Mercy Hospital in Portland. Going into the operation, her surgeon Dr. Melinda Molin, told her that, “50 percent of patients make it to become survivors and 50 percent don’t – decide which 50 percent you want to be.”
“Dr. Molin was in conference with Dr. Ronald Rohe through all of my care with her,” said Betty. “I would continue my chemo and radiation with him at TAMC.”
Betty would need 36 radiation treatments to handle the remaining cancer, which she was grateful to be able to have locally.
“TAMC provided everything I needed,” said Betty. “Chemo and radiation were right here. I was home in my own bed every night – that was so healing, to be home with my family.”
During her treatments, Betty was often asked if losing her hair bothered her, to which she would simply laugh.
“You have to find humor in it,” said Betty. “I never wore a wig or hats – it was just my head. I was trying to raise awareness. I wanted everyone to know that they are not immune to cancer.”
In 2003, Betty noticed she was having a harder time breathing. She mentioned it to Dr. Rohe who sent her for X-rays. They revealed eight cancer spots on her lungs. The concern for her appearance was a little harder to find humor in this time.
“My first question to Dr. Rohe when we discussed treatment, was: am I going to lose my hair?” said Betty. “My daughter was getting married in a few months and I didn’t want to lose my hair.”
Betty went through four rounds of chemo and never lost her hair. She felt fine until 2004 when her shoulders began to hurt. She started going to a chiropractor and was doing better until he mentioned that there seemed to be something wrong with her head.
“I didn’t think much of it until I was in the bathroom a few weeks later and passed out,” remembers Betty. “My husband was away so I had to crawl to the phone to call my daughter. Turns out it was a brain tumor.”
Betty’s brain tumor required a very special tool, a gamma knife. While not a knife as most people think of it, a gamma knife is used to radiate a tumor.
“By the next spring, the brain tumor was back again,” said Betty. “They decided to operate, which concerned me. Anytime you operate on the brain, there are risks.”
Betty’s surgery went well, but by October 2005, the brain tumor was back again, requiring another surgery. Luckily the third time appears to have been a charm and her brain has remained cancer free.
“I have some balance issues, and typing and writing are not like they used to be,” said Betty. “But I have days that are better than others.”
Unfortunately, in more recent check-ups, some cancer spots were found on Betty’s thyroid. She originally had three spots, but now only has two. She still has a treatment every three weeks and every three years she goes for a scan of her thyroid.
“When I had my 10-year anniversary of my original diagnosis, my husband asked me what I wanted to do to celebrate,” said Betty. “I told him I wanted to surprise my breast cancer surgeon, Dr. Molin. I write to her every year and remind her that I chose to be one of the 50 percent who survived!”
In 2009, Pam Hocking’s regularly scheduled mammogram should have been a routine thing. Going into it, she knew this time would be different.
“The mammogram revealed a suspicious area,” said Pam.
She was referred to follow-up with a more detailed mammogram and an ultrasound which revealed an area of great concern.
“My provider then referred me to a surgeon in Bangor, Dr. Susan O’Connor, a breast specialist,” said Pam. “At my first appointment, she did a needle biopsy and called me the next day with a breast cancer diagnosis.”
Though Pam had suspected this as a possible diagnosis, very little could prepare her for the reality of it.
“Fear of the unknown,” Pam said. “That was the worst feeling.”
Two days after receiving the diagnosis from Dr. O’Connor, Pam met with her in Bangor. Dr. O’Connor arranged to have Pam get an MRI that same day.
“She reviewed everything with me,” said Pam. “My daughter went with me, which Dr. O’Connor suggested. When she reviewed things with us, she answered 99% of the questions I had before I even had a chance to ask them.”
Pam now felt confident about her plan of care and she was scheduled for a lumpectomy two weeks later. During the lumpectomy they performed a sentinel node biopsy to determine how invasive the cancer was. Pam had to wait four days for her results.
“It was a difficult four days,” said Pam. “I kept busy and family came to visit to distract me and help out.”
Pam’s sentinel node biopsy results came back negative. In discussions with her oncologist, Pam was encouraged to have genetic testing done as she was the sixth female on her father’s side of the family to have breast cancer. A simple blood test was performed and it was determined that she does not carry either one of the breast cancer genes; BRCHA 1 or BRCHA 2.
“When my results came back that the cancer had not spread, I learned I did not need to have chemotherapy,” said Pam. “It was an enormous relief!”
Pam needed to undergo 33 radiation treatments at TAMC’s Radiation Oncology Center. She continued to work at the nursing home throughout her treatments.
“My co-workers and employers were very supportive,” said Pam. “I actually didn’t mind the drive to Presque Isle every day. It was fall and the ride was quite beautiful and peaceful.”
When Pam had completed over half of her treatments, Houlton’s Bridge to Hope Walk took place. Pam decided to participate and her family and co-workers rallied around her.
“I received pledges from my family, friends, and co-workers,” said Pam. “At the end of the Walk, the organizers announce how much was raised by the event. That was my ‘AHA moment.’ I wondered what I could do to help raise more money.”
Pam’s answer was to begin selling the handmade purses she was already creating for family and friends as gifts. She also started making a quilt to raffle off every year.
“In 2010, I began making Bosom Buddy Bags to sell as a fundraiser,” said Pam. “I sell them at local craft fairs or individual sales. All proceeds go to Bridge to Hope which then benefits local cancer patients with any type of cancer.”
Pam’s daughter, Amy, began making jewelry to sell alongside her mother with the same benefit in mind. In four short years, the duo has raised $12,000 for the Bridge to Hope Walk.
“For me, having cancer made me think of others more,” said Pam. “I never participated in the Walk before – I now have more concern for what others are going through. I tried to turn my journey into something positive for other people.”
Pam has been cancer-free since 2009 and continues to have her annual mammography and check-ups with her cancer care team.
Her advice for a happy, healthy life?
“You need hope,” said Pam. “Hope is the key to everything.”
Last November, Bob Dugal of Madawaska had his yearly physical exam with his provider at Northern Maine Medical Center, Dr. James Harris.
“I had been experiencing a pain on my lower back that I thought was a pulled muscle,” said Bob. “I had Dr. Harris look at it and he felt around. He discovered something and pushed – it hurt. He didn’t think it was a pulled muscle.”
Dr. Harris sent Bob for a CAT scan to determine if he had kidney stones due to where the pain was originating from. After the CAT scan, Dr. Harris called Bob to the office and sat him down.
“He told me it was stage two renal cell carcinoma, or renal cancer,” said Bob. “It was like I had been slapped in the face. I was stunned. I certainly did not expect that.”
Renal cell carcinoma is a rare form of kidney cancer that affects about 3 percent of cancer patients. Bob was referred to a specialist in Portland and only had to wait two months before getting in to see him, which was extremely quick.
“That was a lot of time to think; to worry,” said Bob. “I knew the surgeon would be taking the tumor out, but I couldn’t help but wonder what happens if it comes back? Cancer is cancer, and in my book it’s never good.”
Once Bob went in for surgery, his tumor was taken out using a specialized robotic surgery. His tumor measured 1.3 centimeters at its widest part. He only had to stay overnight for observation and then was sent home with the orders to have a follow-up MRI in six months.
“I didn’t need chemotherapy or radiation, so that was a relief,” said Bob.
Six months later, Bob had his scheduled MRI which revealed he was cancer-free.
“I can’t tell you how it felt to know I was cancer-free,” said Bob. “It’s not a feeling you can explain.”
Bob will need to continue with routine MRIs and follow-up appointments, but overall his cancer is a thing of the past.
“This all started with a yearly physical and some back pain,” said Bob. “If I hadn’t told my provider everything about how I was feeling, how would he have known to look for something like this? You have to trust your provider and be honest with them. That’s the only way they can really take care of you.”
In 2004, Douglas “Doug” Giroux of Madawaska had tolerated the pain he was feeling for long enough.
“At first you just put up with it, but after a while, you realize something is wrong. Very wrong,” said Doug.
Doug informed his primary care provider who determined the pain was being generated in his prostate. Doug had been getting routine prostate exams for several years, but nothing unusual had turned up. To be safe, his primary care provider referred him to a urology practice in Bangor where more test were performed.
Doug underwent two separate procedures called transurethral resection of the prostate, or TURP, which is designed to remove a section of the prostate that is blocking, or impeding, urine flow. During both procedures, the surgeons did not do a biopsy of Doug’s prostate.
“I had the procedures and assumed I would heal normally, which I did, but the pain persisted,” said Doug. “I had reached a breaking point. I had two procedures under my belt with no measurable change in how I felt. I decided to take matters into my own hands.”
Doug searched online for a local urologist and found one at TAMC’s Urology Services. He made his own appointment and explained everything to the physician when he got there.
“He immediately recommended a biopsy,” said Doug.
The results of the biopsy revealed that Doug had stage 3 prostate cancer. While the news did not make Doug happy, knowing that he now had a name to the pain and a goal towards a cure made him more focused. Doug read everything he could on prostate cancer and the possible side effects of surgery.
“The doctor wanted a full-body MRI to determine if the cancer had spread,” said Doug. “We also had my lymph nodes analyzed. I felt like we were finally getting somewhere.”
Fortunately for Doug, the cancer had not spread anywhere and the urologist was able to perform a radical prostatectomy, which is a full removal of the prostate, seminal vesicles, and vas deferens. The full recovery time is nearly 3 months, but the good news for Doug was that this procedure spared him from having to undergo chemotherapy or radiation.
“At first I had follow-up appointments and blood-work every three months, then every six months. Soon it will be annually, because my results have been consistently zero” said Doug.
Doug is now retired and playing golf up and down the East Coast, but he remains a firm believer in staying on top of one’s health and being your own advocate.
“I think it’s important for people to remember that they are just as responsible for their health as their physicians are,” said Doug. “I wasn’t going to sit back and take it; I wanted results. I wanted to be without pain, so I did what I could to make that happen.”
“If I hadn’t listened to my body and acted on what I believed in, I’m not sure I’d be here today,” said Doug. “I’m proof that you shouldn’t ignore how you feel. Say something and keep saying it until someone listens.”
Warren Tweedie, of Houlton, could not seem to shake off feeling ill so he decided to consult his primary care provider.
“It began with a persistent cough,” said Warren. “For several months from 2010-11, I worked with my primary care provider to figure out if I had some sort of infection or asthma, but nothing was working. I didn’t feel any better. Christine Thomas, PA-C, was great. She never gave up trying to figure out what was wrong with me.”
At the end of spring in 2011, Warren went for blood work which revealed he was anemic. This came as a surprise to Warren as it had never showed up before. He was referred to Dr. Vatsala Kirtani, a hematologist at TAMC’s Aroostook Cancer Care.
“Dr. Kirtani found it strange that I would suddenly be anemic since a person often shows some sign of it earlier in their life,” said Warren. “It doesn’t usually pop up in an otherwise healthy person.”
Warren was sent for more in depth blood tests. When the results came in he was given the terrible news that he had cancer.
“To make matters worse, we needed more tests to determine exactly what kind of cancer I had,” said Warren. “Fear of the unknown was the worst part.”
After a few more tests, Warren was told he had an extremely rare form of blood cancer: Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia. Only 1,800 people are diagnosed with this type of it in the United States annually, and most of those patients are over 70 years old. Warren was 51 years old when diagnosed.
“I looked up my diagnosis online on a Friday and read that my life expectancy was only a few years,” said Warren. “I was worried and had to wait until Monday to talk to my doctor about it. I should not have believed the outdated data that I found online.”
Dr. Kirtani consulted with her former co-workers and peers in New York and at Dana Farber Cancer Institute for their thoughts on treatment options for such a rare type of cancer. Fortunately, Dana Farber had a Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia expert who was about to begin a clinical trial on a new medication.
“We went to Dana Farber to have blood work done in order to prepare for the clinical trial,” said warren. “They needed to determine if I was a candidate and create a plan for me.”
Warren began the trial in January of 2012 and continued with it until March. He began to feel intense pain in one of his legs and was sent for a PET scan. The scan showed Warren had a cancerous spot near his spine that was not reacting to the trial drugs he was taking. Due to the location of the spot, it could not be biopsied either.
“The decision at that point was rigorous chemotherapy,” said Warren. “I began my six sessions in May of that year and was fortunate that I was only occasionally nauseous. I lost my hair as I was told I would, but that’s all back now.”
A follow-up PET scan revealed that Warren no longer had spots in any lymph nodes and was now able to enter into a maintenance phase of chemo. Blood tests have shown that Warren’s levels have remained normal.
“The last two years have been hectic,” said Warren. “Travelling for treatment and still trying to work full-time was difficult, but my family and my co-workers were very supportive.”
Over the course of his treatment, Warren managed to only miss a handful of workdays due to creative scheduling and accommodating co-workers.
“I’m extremely grateful for the support of my family and friends,” said Warren. “Everyone needs help or support when they’re fighting cancer. Reach out to your community, your church, and your friends and family. They want to help; they just need you to tell them how they can help you.”
Gary Sweeney, of Stockholm, experienced headaches like everyone does but they began to get worse, along with chronic fatigue, so he decided to consult his primary care provider.
“I was having so many headaches and was passing out, that my primary care provider initially thought it was blood pressure or cardiac related,” said Gary. “I was hooked up to a heart monitor, they checked for inner ear issues, but none of it showed anything.”
Gary was then sent for an MRI and the scan revealed brain cancer.
“Once they saw the tumor, everything made sense,” said Gary. “They realized I was having seizures and the headaches were caused by the growing tumor.”
Very quickly, Gary was connected with Northeast Neurosurgery in Bangor and he and his wife, Kim, travelled down to discuss surgery with Dr. David M. Weitman, M.D., Ph.D.
“Surgery was imminent, it had to be done,” Gary said. “Fortunately, it did not seem to be a fast-growing tumor as it was Stage 2 Cancer.”
Due to the location and the large size of the tumor, the surgeon was only able to remove 80 percent, as the rest of it was too deeply rooted in Gary’s brain.
“I was told that the surgery could change my personality and lead to massive memory loss,” remembers Gary. “That concerned us but it had to be done.”
“When Gary came out of surgery, I was thinking about that – how he might not remember things,” said Kim. “When he woke up, he looked at me and asked who I was. I was stunned! Then I realized he was joking with me. I was not amused.”
Gary and Kim stayed in Bangor for a total of five days before heading home. Before leaving Gary was still having horrible headaches, but after discussions with his doctor, it was determined that he would need two different medications to control the headaches due to his residual tumor and scar tissue.
Gary consulted with both Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Aroostook Cancer Care regarding his treatment. Due to the location of the remaining part of the tumor, radiation was not an option as it could radiate the healthy part of his brain.
The side effects of Gary’s cancer are minor memory loss, lack of concentration and off and on headaches. He has not had a seizure since his surgery.
“He needs a jog to his memory every now and then, but when he’s tired its worse,” said Kim.
Gary continues to see Dr. Arjun Sood at Aroostook Cancer Care for his follow-up care, but doesn’t worry about the remaining piece of the tumor in his brain.
“Worrying is a useless emotion, it doesn’t solve anything,” he said. “My doctors had told me that the tumor is growing slowly and that I may need more surgery down the road, especially if it goes to Stage 3 Cancer. I get the occasional headache, but nothing like I used to.”
On a regular basis, Gary has routine exams, scans, and blood work to make sure his cancer is not changing in any way. Otherwise, he lives life as he normally would.
“I’ve been able to do almost everything I could before my surgery and treatment. I can’t complain.” Gary said.
“I think anyone who experiences adverse changes in their health should tell their primary care provider,” said Gary. “It could save your life. There is nothing more important to your health than having an open dialogue with your provider.”
July of 2013 was difficult for Louise Dionne of Fort Kent for many reasons: it was the one year anniversary of her mother’s passing and it was when she was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage 4 appendiceal cancer.
“On Sunday I woke up with terrible pain that I had never felt before,” said Louise. “I thought it might be a bladder infection, but as the day went on, I knew it was something worse.”
Louise did not ignore what her body was telling her and she went to the emergency room at Northern Maine Medical Center where they ran multiple imaging tests and blood work. The ER physicians could see that it was cancer, but needed a few more tests to confirm exactly what type.
“The doctor came into the room and told me it was cancer and perhaps it was on my ovaries,” remembers Louise. “I thought: I’m in trouble now.”
Though the doctors knew they had more tests to run and fellow doctors to consult, Louise already knew she was going to fight it.
“I looked at my 8-year-old son who was in the exam room with me and I said, ‘Mommy’s going to be OK,’” said Louise. “He had seen my mother fight lung cancer and I knew he would be concerned.”
Four days later, Louise was having surgery at Maine Medical Center in Portland. The surgical team took her appendix and cancer spots from around her uterus, bladder, and the outside of her colon but they were not able to get it all.
“I remember coming out of anesthesia and the doctor telling me that they couldn’t get it all,” said Louise. “But I have a lot of faith — I told myself it’s in God’s hands.”
Louise still went to Boston for a second opinion as she had been told her cancer was very fast growing. The physicians in Boston worked with Dr. Naveed Kahn, of NMMC, to determine her plan of care. She would begin with 12 chemotherapy treatments with intermittent imaging studies.
“On first day of chemo I received a call telling me my cancer was actually a slow-growing type instead of fast-growing as they initially thought,” said Louise.
In third month of treatment, Louise had a CAT scan to determine if she was responding to treatment. The results showed that she was rapidly improving. She was then sent to Portland for a special type of heated chemo, called HIPEC, she now qualified as a candidate for.
“I had a second surgery this past January and I no longer have any cancer on my colon,” said Louise, “but I will continue my last two chemo treatments.”
Louise is now cancer-free and feels that her faith is stronger than ever. Through the entire experience, she felt as though she was being watched over.
“I never felt angry or questioned why I had this disease,” said Louise. “I know there are people who have it worse than me and I’m thankful for where I am now.”
Overall, Louise lost some hair and occasionally felt nauseous but mostly she felt tired. She marvels at the help, strength, and prayers her family, friends, and community provided her with during the difficult months of treatment.
“I could not have gotten through this without the love and support from everyone,” said Louise. “People came out of the woodwork to offer support and help. It was amazing!”
Just like many other survivors, Louise feels that cancer alters your perspective on life.
“It changes how you perceive things, including your fight with cancer,” said Louise. “I didn’t want to be angry and resentful – I’m not an angry person.”
“As difficult as it is to remember, don’t give up,” advises Louise. “Believe that there is hope and try not to be angry — it doesn’t change anything.”
Tom Pelkey of Mapleton has always been careful about his health. He made and kept regular appointments and followed his primary care provider’s orders, but when the subject of routine colonoscopies came up, Pelkey paused.
“My provider, Steve Porter, FNP, of TAMC’s Family Practice had been reminding me over the years that I was getting close to the age when I should start thinking about getting a colonoscopy,” said Pelkey. “I kept shrugging it off as something I would do later. A colonoscopy wasn’t something I was looking forward to.”
When Pelkey turned 50, Porter suggested that he should have a colonoscopy done that year. Pelkey initially said he would rather wait, but by the end of his appointment, he agreed to have his first colonoscopy scheduled.
“To that point, I had had no symptoms; nothing was wrong,” said Pelkey. “But Steve was certain that it was time for me to have one, so I agreed.”
Within a month, Pelkey was at TAMC’s Giberson Day Surgery Unit, preparing for his first colonoscopy. Everything was routine, so he had little reason to be concerned.
“When I woke up after the procedure, my nurse told me Dr. Anuj Kandel wanted to talk to me,” remembers Pelkey. “That was a little unnerving, but what Dr. Kandel said when he came in was even worse. I had cancer.”
Dr. Kandel broke the news to Pelkey as well as one can deliver that kind of news. He was stunned and scared.
“I had no reason to think I had cancer,” said Pelkey. “My tumor was the size of a small baseball. I didn’t know what to think. I was scared, angry, and fearful. I wasn’t sure I could handle chemotherapy and radiation.”
Many years ago, Pelkey was diagnosed with Alpha 1, an incurable genetic condition that decreases lung function. With lungs that do not function at top capacity, going under anesthesia and many surgical procedures are dangerous.
“I was so worked up over my diagnosis that I couldn’t eat or sleep,” said Pelkey. “I lost 10 pounds in four days.”
The next week, he met with Dr. Kandel to discuss his options. Surgery had to be done to remove the mass, but Pelkey’s Alpha 1 condition made him fearful of the amount of time he would be under anesthesia. Left between a rock and a hard place, he chose surgery.
“Dr. Kandel was able to operate laparoscopically which led to only a few small incisions,” said Pelkey. “He removed the mass and sent it to be reviewed at the lab.”
The lab determined that Pelkey’s tumor was highly cancerous, but fortunately it had not spread to his lymph nodes, it was caught just in time. He would not need to undergo chemo and radiation.
“I was so happy,” said Pelkey. “I can’t describe how relived I was.”
Now a year later, Pelkey is scheduled for a follow-up colonoscopy. He has had to have blood-work every three weeks since the operation to monitor his levels, but otherwise he has been able to enjoy being cancer-free.
“I will continue to receive my Alpha 1 treatments, which I will for the rest of my life,” said Pelkey, “but I often think about where I would be if I hadn’t agreed to that colonoscopy. I don’t think I’d be here. Now that I have been through this experience, I don’t understand why people won’t get a colonoscopy. It could save your life.”
Over three years ago, life changed dramatically for the Frenchville resident Ken Michaud.
“I was at my appointment with NMMC physician Dr. James Harris, and I mentioned swelling under my arms,” said Michaud. “The swelling had come and gone over the last few months, but it seemed worth noting.”
His health was fine, but the swelling concerned Dr. Harris, so he referred Michaud for a CT scan. The results showed that he had Large B-cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
“I was shocked,” remembers Michaud. “I thought it was nothing. I never dreamed it was cancer.”
Dr. Harris immediately referred him to Dr. Ronald Rohe at TAMC’s Aroostook Cancer Care. Dr. Rohe had Michaud undergo blood work and presented him with his options. The first thing he recommended was a second opinion.
“I went to Boston to get a second opinion, and they confirmed everything that Dr. Rohe had told me,” said Michaud. “It was good to have a consensus concerning my diagnosis.”
Surgery was Michaud’s first line of defense for his cancer. Surgeons at Northern Maine Medical Center removed the lymph nodes under his arms and installed a port-a-cath to use for his chemotherapy.
Shortly after surgery, Michaud began his chemotherapy at TAMC once a week for the next six months.
“Chemo was difficult and draining. I lost all my hair, and there were days when I didn’t even want to get out of bed. My wife made me though,” Michaud remembers with a smile. “She wouldn’t let me mope around or feel sorry for myself. She kept me active and my mind off of what I was dealing with. I was able to find enjoyment in things even though I was battling cancer.”
Michaud continued to work while undergoing chemo. Though he would get tired, he felt that working kept his mind off of cancer.
“My family as well as my co-workers at Daigle Oil Company were so supportive,” said Michaud. “They were encouraging and understanding through my treatment and afterwards.”
After six months of chemotherapy, Michaud was able to have his port-a-cath removed and was directed to have blood work every three months and a CT scan every six months.
During a routine CT scan less than a year ago the radiologist noticed a spot in Michaud’s bladder. Dr. Harris sent Michaud to Portland to have the cancerous spot removed.
“I was lucky the radiologist saw the spot — it was tiny,” said Michaud. “Because it was caught in stage one, I didn’t even need follow-up treatment.”
Michaud continues with his blood work appointments and CT scans and now also gets a specific test done for his bladder. All-in-all, Michaud feels fortunate.
“If I hadn’t discussed the initial swelling with Dr. Harris, who knows what would have happened,” said Michaud. “I don’t think my outcome would have been as positive as it is.”
“No one knows your body as well as you do — don’t ignore changes or differences,” Michaud said. “Talk to your primary care provider; it’s important to keep an open dialogue with them. It just might save your life.”
The partner organizations collaborating on Courage in The County continue their search for cancer survivor stories. They are encouraging survivors and family and friends of survivors to submit candidates for consideration by visiting the WAGM-TV website (www.wagmtv.com) and clicking on the Courage in The County icon to submit a nomination by using the on-line submission form.