The Maine Women's Journal - Fall 2007

Last year I wrote about my experience as a lung cancer patient and survivor of this wretched disease for 8 years. Although May 2007 marked my 8th anniversary, the thought of my lung cancer returning is never far from my mind when I visit my physician. I live quite normally throughout the year, but as my appointment nears the fear sets in. Will this be the year that I am told that this blasted disease has returned, or will I be victorious once again and get a clean bill of health?

Last June I was told that my return appointments would become annual events. Finally, after seven years I would visit my oncologist and pulmonologist only once a year rather than two, three or even four times every year. This past March I started to have problems breathing. It had been only 10 months since my last visit with my oncologist in Boston. By the end of March I was so stressed from my compromised breathing that I called my pulmonologist. He immediately ordered a ct scan. I was so relived to hear him say that there were no concerns - the film looked great. What I had been experiencing was actually anxiety. My doctor told me that this was very common with such a diagnosis. So what do I do in between doctors appointments?

Well, I continue to support others who have been diagnosed with this disease, as well as attend scientific workshops throughout the United Sates. I was asked to attend the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in Los Angeles as an Advocate Mentor to first time advocate attendees. The organization began 100 years ago when a group of eleven scientists gathered in Washington, DC to discuss the rapidly emerging field of cancer research. Since 1907 the organization has grown to well over 18,000 scientists around the world. The parade of flags representing the countries attending the conference opened this year’s conference.

The AACR provides an unmatched opportunity to exchange information on current and emerging discoveries, forge new collaborations and identify opportunities in all areas of modern cancer research and patient care. The AACR brings scientists together from all over the world to share their knowledge and research. The primary mission is to prevent and cure cancer at the earliest stage. This can be aided by stimulating the dialogue between basic and clinical researchers so that they may spread the transmission of new discoveries for the benefit of cancer patients.

AACR also provides the means for cancer survivors and patient advocates to speak directly to the public, through the Scientist-Survivor Program. AACR’s close relationship with cancer advocates (many of whom are not active members) has helped to accelerate our progress against cancer.

I asked Senator Elizabeth Mitchell if she would sponsor a bill to declare November Lung Cancer Awareness Month.  She graciously accepted the challenge.   Senator Marche, Senator Martin, Representative Gross, Representative Perry and Representative Walker co-sponsored the bill.  The bill LD 243 was amended to read “The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation setting aside November 1^st to November 7^th each year as Cancer Awareness Week and November 1^st as Lung Cancer Awareness Day.  The proclamation must invite and urge citizens, health agencies, schools, and other suitable organizations and groups to observe this week through appropriate activities.”  There will be an event in November to bring attention to this bill.  Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in attending this event.

The City of Augusta is kindly permitting a memorial garden of 250 white tulips to be planted at City Center in Augusta.  The tulips will be planted in October, with a dedication of the garden in the spring - when the tulips are in bloom.  The garden will be dedicated to those who have lost their lives to lung cancer. Anyone wishing to help plant the tulips or make a donation please contact me at dviolette@prexar.com   The money raised will go to the Lung Cancer Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated solely to raising awareness, supporting, educating and advocating for lung cancer patients and their families.

Lung Cancer still remains the number one killer from cancer in the United States.  It is the least funded cancer research - only $1800 per lung cancer death in comparison to $23,000 per breast cancer death.  Breast cancer has done an excellent job of raising awareness for their cause.  Let’s do the same for lung cancer. 

I graduated from the University of Maine in Augusta in 1971. I now work full time for the State of Maine, Bureau of Insurance as a contract examiner. Since my diagnosis of stage III lung cancer in 1998, I have dedicated my spare time to helping those afflicted with this disease obtain medical care, raise awareness, and educate the public. I am an advocate for the Lung Cancer Alliance and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Lung SPORE project. I sit on the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Oncology Board-clinical trial as a patient advocate. My e-mail address is dviolette@prexar.com

 

 

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