Mormon Life - Cancer tag

Ward, community help LDS child fight brain cancer

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:03:00 -0600

by Katie Barlow - LDS Living
source: ldsliving.com

Mormon Life says: Jaylie Nielson and her family have been staples of the ward and community - now the ward and community are teaming up to help the Nielsons. What started out as a quick trip to the ophthalmologist for 5-year-old Jaylie Nielson ended in her being rushed to the emergency room for diagnosis of a possible tumor. Following this day were months of uncertainty and difficulty for the family, but now, because of the love of her ward and community, she and her family will be the beneficiaries of a 5K race and fun run meant to help support them.

“We really feel like we’re being uplifted and helped. We feel like we have angels with us,” said Kajsa Nielson, Jaylie’s mom.

It started when Jaylie was taken to the eye doctor in April for vision problems. Her family thought glasses or surgery might be the solution. But during the exam, the doctor saw unusual swelling and later that day, Jaylie ended up in the emergency room. An MRI scan revealed Jaylie had a brain tumor the size of a grapefruit.

“In a split second, our lives totally changed,” said Kajsa Nielson.

A day and a half later, Nielson’s tumor was removed, but within a few days, she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer called Supratentorial Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor (PNET).

“Parts of the recovery were quite scary but she really did well,” Kajsa said. “Our radiation oncologist said that she did better than most of the kids her age who go through that.”

Jaylie’s mom said the scariest moments occurred in the hospital.

“When she was being wheeled into the operating room for her brain surgery and we had to leave her crying at the entrance, it was horrible,” Kajsa said. “She was scared and we were scared not knowing what may or may not happen.”

Jaylie’s mom said the scariest moment for Jaylie was after her surgery when she started noticing some things were different than they were before the surgery.

But even with those scary moments, Jaylie has shown a good attitude about everything. Jaylie and her little sister play doctor and rehearse radiation and chemo techniques, and Jaylie doesn’t mind going to the doctor, her mom said. Jaylie even enjoyed the radiation time because it gave her a little chance to rest.

“She’s just doing amazing so I know we’re being helped beyond what we’re capable of,” Kajsa said.

Jaylie received head and spine radiation treatments daily for six weeks in June and is set to start six months of chemotherapy later this month. Meanwhile, many members of her ward have reached out the family to support and help Jaylie.

Kajsa said they have felt the comfort from all the prayers and fasting. Many people have been praying for Jaylie and putting her name in temples all across the world. Kajsa said it’s been amazing to see the ward come together to help.

“Even though this is a horrible thing that’s happening we’ve seen so much good come out of it,” Kajsa Nielson said.

The family has felt overwhelmed and amazed as people have been willing to help however they can, including bringing over meals, cleaning the house, babysitting and bringing gifts for Jaylie.

“My husband and I probably cry once a day,” Kajsa said. “Happy tears of people reaching out and helping us and doing things for us.”

In fact, two women in the ward, Heather Himmer and Heather Jim, separately came up with the idea to organize a race. Neither of the two knew the other had the same idea. Now they are now working together to coordinate the race.

“We know that it will benefit the family financially to help with medical bills, but even more so, we hope that the event will help the family feel the support and love of the community,” Jim said.

Kajsa said she explained to Jaylie there will be a 5k race and that are people who are doing something to raise money to help with all her bills.

“She was talking to my husband and I the other day and she was saying she wanted to do a lemonade stand so she could raise money for her cancer,” Kajsa said, illustrating Jaylie’s extraordinary personality. “She knows it costs a lot, and she knows that people are donating money for her.”

Aside from the good moments they share, Jaylie’s mom said what really gets them through the hard and scary times are their testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are comforted knowing Heavenly Father has a plan for Jaylie, and being able to put trust into that plan brings them peace.

Because the future is so unknown and the past is hard to revisit, the family focuses on the here and now. The Nielsons have spent a lot more time on their knees asking for help, and Kajsa said Jaylie has an amazing attitude and great faith that helps the rest of the family be strong. She said she thinks Jaylie is still a little scared, but she responds similar to how her family responds.

“If we are upset and sad, she is too, but if we are strong and positive, she is strong and positive,” said Kajsa. “We have to be strong for her.”

The 5K and Fun Run will be held in Leander, Texas, on August 13. All proceeds from the event will go toward Jaylie’s medical expenses.

Those interested in participating can volunteer in many ways, including setup and cleanup, registration and running various booths. For more information, contact Heather Jim (512-897-7698) or visit http://www.teamjaylie.org/.

**Update: The 5K raised over $30,000 for Jaylie, enough to cover her insurance deductible for three years. Thanks to all those who contributed!

Why I Will Commit to Seeing a Doctor this Year

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:58:00 -0700

by Erin Hallstrom
source: MormonLife.com

Last November my sister was on a trip-of-a-lifetime to the Middle East. She was 31-years-old and looked and felt perfectly healthy and normal. While visiting one site, a fellow traveler (who happened to be a medical doctor) walked up to my sister and started to feel her neck. After getting over the initial shock of, you know, a new acquaintance touching her neck, my sister sobered when she realized the doctor had good reason for her boldness.

“Have you always had this lump?” the doctor asked.

“Um, no, I don’t think so…”

Long story short, the doctor advised her to get it looked at when she got home. The first week she was home, my sister saw a doctor which led to a biopsy which lead to the diagnosis of thyroid cancer. A few weeks later my sister had surgery to remove her thyroid and soon will be undergoing radiation in an attempt to kill off any lingering cancer cells.

The purpose of me sharing this story is not so you will all feel sad for my sister (although you are perfectly welcome to) but because her experience forced me to think about the very grown-up realities of health and taking care of ourselves.

I am relatively young and to be honest, have never been that concerned with my health. I don’t see a doctor regularly and when someone mentions cancer screening I tune out (which in effect is the same thing as putting fingers in my ears and humming the Battle Hymn of the Republic to myself—turns out my imaginary self is very patriotic.)

I think:

“I am too young for cancer!” (My sister is 4 years younger.)

“I feel great!” (So did my sister.)

“I will know when something is seriously wrong!” (But will it be too late?)

I love the article written for LDS Living’s January/February 2011 issue by our new health expert. Dr. Boud shares practical tips on cancer screening: what to look for, what to get checked, when to start screenings, and how often to get them. I highly encourage everyone to read this article (which is why we published it in full on the website.) As we all know, the earlier cancer is caught the better.

Our family gives thanks every day for a bold doctor’s observant eye and assertive action. Thanks to her, my sister’s cancer was discovered before it became life-threatening.

But here’s the thing folks, my sister had noticed it too. Over the past couple years she had seen a lump in her neck AND thought it had gotten bigger but she excused it away and assumed it was nothing. It wasn’t anything I or any other lay person noticed when you look at her, but she knew and chose to ignore it.

Now I am not trying to scare anybody or promote mass cancer hysteria. All I am saying is this: Stay educated. Go see a doctor now and again. Pay attention to your body. If something looks wrong, check it out. I will if you will. Let’s all stay healthy together okay? Okay.

Cancer Screening Tips

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:06:00 -0700

by Dr. Thomas J. Boud, MD
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: The recommendations for cancer screenings can be confusing. Here is what I tell my patients. Welcome to a new year! Why not make this the year you finally pay closer attention to your body and prevent concerns before they can become problems?

Few health topics evoke more consternation than the Big “C.” Generally speaking, the incidence of cancer increases with age. I was taught in medical school that all of us have several dormant oncogenes, or cancer cells, in us right now. The expression of these cells depends upon a variety of environmental influences. Unfortunately, you can do everything right and still end up being bitten. If you are destined to be one of the unlucky ones, there are things you can do now to help beat the odds.

This is what I tell my patients: if you have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) or a second degree relative (grandparent, aunt/uncle, or niece/nephew) who has had some type of adult cancer, you should have the recommended test done 10 years earlier than the age when they were first diagnosed. Otherwise, here are my general cancer screening guidelines:

Skin
The most common cancer overall. Avoid sunburns and excessive tanning, use sunscreen, and watch for changes. I explain the “ABCDEs of Dermatology” as follows:

Asymmetry—Divide the mole or lesion through the middle. Is it a mirror image on both sides? If not, get it checked.

Border—Is it irregular or smooth? Irregular may signal a problem.

Color—Are there two or more colors in the same lesion, or has it recently changed color? If so, get it checked.

Diameter—Get it checked if it is larger than the end of a pencil eraser.

Elevation—Does it raise off the skin? This may indicate cancer.

Most moles and spots on the skin are just that—moles and spots. But if there is a change or it meets any of the above criteria, ask your doctor about it.

Cervical
The most common cancer in teenage girls and early adult women. Get a yearly PAP smear and gynecological exam starting at age 21 or the onset of sexual intercourse (whichever comes first). Uterine and ovarian cancer risks increase with age and should be screened at yearly exams.

Testicular
The most common cancer in teenage boys and younger men. Remember Lance Armstrong? Do a monthly self exam and get a yearly doctor’s exam starting at age 12.

Lung
The most common lethal cancer overall; it comes primarily from smoking, but not always. If you have a history of tobacco use, have had long-term exposure to cigarette smoke, or have an unexplained persistent cough, talk to your doctor.

Breast
The second most lethal cancer in women. There is a lot of controversy on screening for this one. I recommend monthly self breast exams starting at age 21 (the best time is about a week after your period is over), and yearly exams by your primary care physician, also starting at age 21. Get yearly mammograms starting at age 40.

Prostate
The second most lethal cancer in men. Get a yearly PSA blood test and doctor exam from age 50 on. (Don’t complain guys, women still have it worse.)

Colon
The third most lethal cancer over all. Watch for any blood or changes in bowel habits and get your initial colonoscopy at age 50. We’ll tell you how often you’ll need one after that, depending on the results. These are just the very basics and my own rules. Do your genealogy. Know your family’s health history. Remember, if you have questions, talk to your doctor. Doing nothing doesn’t help anyone—least of all you.

Now let’s get healthy!
—Dr. Boud

Thomas J. Boud, MD, is board certified in family medicine and practices in a very busy primary care medicine clinic in the Salt Lake Valley. He is also a volunteer physician for the Church’s Missionary Medical Department and cares for the health care of many of the local full-time missionaries. He served a mission in Southern Germany and Austria. He is an avid runner, having completed more than 50 full marathons. He is married to a very patient wife and has six beautiful children, two of which are currently serving full-time missions.