Johns Hopkins Health - Fall 2009 - Intl. - (Page 10)

rstperson Second Chance Even aggressive cancer couldn’t make Lynda Leventer give up —only a bit of bleeding in my stool. Even though I didn’t have a family history of colorectal cancer, my doctor sent me for a colonoscopy. at day changed my entire life. I had colorectal cancer that had also spread to my liver, and it was aggressive. e first specialist I saw told me it was a death sentence. I was 43 years old with two young children. My husband and I couldn’t accept that. We came to Johns Hopkins. Within days, they assembled a team of oncologists and had a plan. First, chemotherapy to shrink the tumor and lesions in my liver, then surgery to remove the tumor in the liver, then radiation that would target the cancer that had begun in my colon, a surgical resection there and a final round of chemotherapy. It was a lot to process, a lot to consider. But I knew if I had a chance of surviving, this was going to be it. When you have two kids, there are no other options—you do whatever you can. Today, I’m so thankful to say that it was all worth it, because it worked. I won’t lie—this was scary, and I was more afraid than I’d ever been. But the specialists at Johns Hopkins took my case so personally, and there was so much support at each step. I wasn’t just another patient. I can’t tell you how much that helped me and my family. Looking back, what’s even scarier is that if I hadn’t had that initial colonoscopy, I’d be dead. I feel like I’ve been given a second chance, and I’m drinking it in. I had minimal symptoms A CASE FOR EARLY DIAGNOSIS ◗ Lynda Leventer’s diagnosis was metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver. This means that her cancer began in her colon and spread into her liver. ◗ Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common form of cancer occurring worldwide. Symptoms may be dif cult to identify, which is why colon cancer screenings are so important, as well as talking to your doctor about unusual symptoms. ◗ Learn more about Lynda Leventer’s story at hopkinsmedicine.org/ livertumorcenter. For appointments and consultations, call +1-443-287-6080. | 10 | johns hopkins health fall 2009 +1-443-287-6080 | jhintl.org http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/livertumorcenter http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/livertumorcenter http://www.jhintl.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Johns Hopkins Health - Fall 2009 - Intl.

Johns Hopkins Health - Fall 2009 Intl.
Contents
Avoiding Accidents
Abusing the System
Personal Best
Second Chance
Ode to Joints

Johns Hopkins Health - Fall 2009 - Intl.

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