My husband Brian, and I have been married 33 years and have worked together in an 8 x 10 room. Brian has literally been by my side since marriage. When I was diagnosed with Wildtype GIST, we knew this was a journey we’d be taking on together.
Josalin Dunn is celebrating her ten year cancerversary. “Staying positive about my cancer isn’t always easy,... but I keep reminding myself that there are others who have it worse. I am blessed!”
Pediatric GISTer, Sile Bao graduated on May 19 and already started her first job at Princeton University in July. Ashley Young Vincent, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Lily on June 24. GISTer Mo Collins, married her partner, Alex Skuby on June 25 in a lovely ceremony.
Mary Marre says her daughter Meghan was diagnosed with GIST in the fall of 2002, just a few weeks before her 21st birthday. All through high school Meghan was anemic; she was also plagued with stomach problems. Each time a doctor would say it was heavy periods, ulcers, heartburn and the like … this to a child who outwardly seemed so healthy.
Rachel Gilbert talks about GIST at the Teenage Cancer Trust Conference. Gilbert was diagnosed with GIST when she was 15.
Josalin Dunn presents the Humanitarian of the Decade Award to Dr. Daniel Vasella at Life Fest 2010.
Approximately 2 ½ years later, Brittany was 7 years old when the disease recurred, this time in her liver. The course of action at that time was to use a drug called Gleevec, to control or shrink the tumor. This drug has been used with some success in adult GIST, but failed to help Brittany. A few months later Brittany had her second surgery to remove the tumor from her liver and during that surgery they found 3 more tumors in her stomach. They were successful in removing the 4 tumors after 12 hours in the operating room… this left her with 2 ounces of stomach.
Fuqua doesn’t talk about it often. He doesn’t bring it up unless asked, and even then he offers only a brief explanation. He fears he’ll be known more for his illness than his accomplishments, even when his achievements place him among the top track athletes in the state and in the Lawrence High record book.
April was always comfortable with her decision to start a family but she understood the gravity of her actions and what that might mean to other patients. “I think stopping Gleevec to start a family is something that each patient would have to consider closely with their doctor. I was fortunate enough to be “No Evidence of Disease” since my surgery in 2000, so my family, doctor and I were comfortable stopping it.
