I was diagnosed in 1967 at age 14 with Hodgkin's Disease and was among the first to receive experimental radiation treatments for Hodgkin's. After I returned to high school, I struggled with shortness of breath and stamina whenever I engaged in physical activities. Thinking it was from lack of exercise, I dismissed it.

In 1980, I started having trouble swallowing. At first, the episodes were infrequent and self-resolving, but over the next decade the swallowing problems became more pronounced and required medical intervention and dilation. In 1988, I moved to Chico, CA. A new Gastroenterology doctor taught me how to dilate my esophagus myself with my husband's help. It made a huge difference in my quality of life. I was able to delve into my massage practice with passion.

In 1996, after repeated episodes of bronchitis and walking pneumonia it was
discovered that I had a large pleural effusion that was collapsing my lung. Repeated attempts to drain it failed. Frustrated, I surfed the Internet for answers. There, I stumbled on the website for Stanford Medical Center and a bio for Dr. Steven Hancock, a radiation oncologist. I called and requested Dr. Hancock's research articles about the late effects of therapies for treating children with Hodgkin's Disease. I was invited to join in their ongoing research.

In December of 1996, I returned to Stanford Medical Center and was seen in the clinic by Dr. Hancock. After testing it was determined that the pleural effusion was the result of radiation damage to my lymph system. I underwent a pleurodisis to close the pleural space permanently with good results. In August of 1997, I underwent a pericardectomy. Through these procedures it was discovered that my heart itself had been scarred by radiation. At the same time, I began experiencing progressive weakness in my legs. After several tests, I was diagnosed with lumbosacral radiation induced plexopathy. It was then I realized I could no longer work and filed for disability. In January, 2000 I underwent a lumpectomy for breast cancer secondary to the radiation therapy.

What keeps you going?

My husband has been a rock throughout my experiences as has my family. I am surrounded by a group of very caring friends. I remain active in a local hospice team offering comfort to patients and families alike. And I love to write. Lately I've been focusing on poetry.

How do you feel about the medical care you received overall?

I had good medical following until I left Alaska in 1982. From then until my return to Stanford in 1996 I struggled with finding doctors who understood about late effects. I was misdiagnosed several times. Since returning to Stanford, I have had very good following. My local doctors work well with these specialists to give me with a good quality of life.

What would you say to cancer survivors first coming to Cancer Survivors Project?

You are not alone with your experiences. You have beaten cancer and that is a great accomplishment. But your battles may not be done. The therapies we had may have affected the rest of our bodies, too. But, through this website and through the LT Survivors listserv, you will have fellow warriors at your side helping you find the best doctors and information.

What sparked you to get involved with Cancer Survivors Project?

It was a natural outgrowth of finding fellow HD survivors through the Internet. I was a member of a listserv for people just being diagnosed with HD and found that I just didn't fit there. Several other members of that list felt the same and we started writing offlist to one another. I met Linda Zame when we were both recovering from heart surgery. I enthusiastically supported Linda as she gave birth to the LT Survivors listserv at ACOR, Inc. It has been very important to me to know that I am not alone and reaching out to other survivors has given me a way of helping others.