Rhio O’Connor Scholarship

A diagnosis of cancer is a life altering event. After the shock of the word "cancer" wears off, life becomes one of questions. What type of cancer is it? Has it metastasized? What treatments do I need? What quality of life will I have? What can I do different? What should I have done differently? Which doctor should I use? Can I live through this? How will I live through this? WHY ME? These are some of the questions I asked when I was diagnosed with cancer.

Once diagnosed, a person begins to search for the right solution to their cancer. From A to Z, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia to Waldenström Macroglobulinemia, beginning a life with cancer begins with a list of questions. Fortunately, with the advent of the internet and the ability to connect with people all over the world, cancer patients are no longer limited in their treatment options.

There was Mesothelioma; Invasive Ductal Carcinoma; and Pancreatic Cancer. There was Rhio O'Connor; Karen Lewandowski; and Renee Lewandowski, the last two are my mother and I. Three cancers; three outcomes; three lives. All three individuals had cancer; however how they lived with it was different for all three. Rhio had Mesothelioma, Karen had Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, and Renee had Pancreatic Cancer.

On my journey with cancer, I learned a bit about other types of cancers such as mesothelioma, pancreatic, ovarian and prostrate. There are genetic markers; cancers that need testosterone or estrogen; and cancers that are a result foreign objects such as asbestos.

Like the more well know pancreatic cancer, mesothelioma also has a very short projected life expectancy upon diagnosis, because of its difficulty to diagnose. Less than 10% of all patients have a survival rate of 5 years. Asbestos is a leading cause of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is concentrated in the mesothelium, the lining surrounding the internal organs. This aggressive form of cancer usually is not detected early enough for traditional medical treatments to be of any value for curative measures.

One brave example of a warrior with mesothelioma was Mr. James "Rhio" O'Connor. Rhio worked in the construction field and understood the risks associated with his job. He was very conscientious in adhering to the current safety measures and requirements while on the job. When he worked on a site that included exposure to asbestos he would wear the correct respirator to reduce his exposure. Little did he know at the time, but the use of a respirator with facial hair still allowed the micro-particles of the asbestos to penetrate into his respiratory system as the facial hairs broke the seal between the mask and the skin. Diagnosed in October 2001, Rhio was given months to get his final affairs in order. Rhio chose to live. He did this by investigating any and all options including supplements, changes to his diet, exercise and alternative procedures designed to boost the immune system. His research and change in lifestyle allowed him to live until July 11, 2009.

Wife, Daughter, Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother, Renee was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April 2009. My mothers' cancer came with an expiration date. I used many cancer sites to learn more about her cancer. Spending days on websites such as: Cancer Care, American Cancer Society, American Medical Society and Moffit Cancer Center, to try to learn what the appropriate treatment should be. Although diagnosed in December 2007 with possible pancreatic cancer and then told that the biopsy came back with only scar tissue and healthy cells, Renee chose to ignore the possibility of cancer, declined all treatments, and continued to live as she had in the past. In April 2009 another biopsy returned with positive results for end stage advanced pancreatic cancer. With the cancer staging complete, the treatments that were offered were only comfort based treatments.

Research then turned from that of how to provide as long a life as healthy as possible, to researching the quality of life between this diagnosis and her death. Time ran out. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, was a result of one of her treatments. The infection was untreatable and systematic which prohibited any additional treatments. Decisions and research were geared to providing my mother an honorable and comfortable end of life. Living with cancer means living with choices, she had choices. These were choices that my mom made, she lived and died the way she wanted, and that brought peace.

In May of 2006 I joined the cancer club. I used the internet to research my breast cancer. With the assistance of multiple websites, chat boards, blogs and other internet resources, I developed a multi-page questionnaire for each doctor that was specifically tailored for the individual treatments. Using the answers I quickly came to realize that my best advocate was my radiation oncologist. She also provided me with information I had not found elsewhere. My breast surgeon became my primary doctor for treatment before, during, and after surgery. Then, I was referred to Moffit Cancer Center for a post treatment program designed to teach healthy living habits after traditional treatments.

My research continues even now while I am in remission. I have learned that the sub-category of breast cancer I have is the most aggressive. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma HER2+ ER+ PR- has the shortest disease free survival rate of all the breast cancers. I now know that if I have a reoccurrence it will typically be found in tissue that is of the same cell construction as the cells in a breast. I will again be aggressive in my treatment of any future cancer. In the meantime, to prevent recurrence, I try to eat more fruits and vegetables, less red meats. I need to avoid meats that have growth hormones, and other additives. Stress reduction is an important part of not only preventing my cancer from returning, but also an important part of maintaining a positive outlook on life. Exercise has become a more important part of my life since a healthy body with a healthy immune system makes it more difficult for cancer to get a foothold.

Having read Rhios' story online and the excerpts from his book, I realize that I have not been alone in my two separate experiences with the world of cancer. I have learned that if I were to receive a dire cancer prognosis, I would again begin my research online to learn more about treatments, trial studies, doctors, and alternative treatments. Family, friends, doctors, medical researchers, and every other available resource would be used to make an informed, intelligent, and acceptable decision on how to live out the remainder of my life. Leading by example, I would like to believe that my journey would prove to be an inspiration for others so they have hope for themselves and their journey in the world of cancer.

We never travel through the cancer pathways alone. Information is available. Finding and using it to make informed decisions is our responsibility. Positive attitudes with healthy research lead to successful treatment.

Life is for living as fully as possible!

Life is worth fighting for!

I will fight for my life!

I will choose to live!

I will prevail!