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Gastrointestinal Cancers
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Anna Marchese - Ampullary CancerIn early 2005, 88-year-old Anna Marchese experienced a funny feeling around her waist before passing out on her way to bed. Although she woke up right away, her son, Pat, insisted on taking her to the hospital. Anna had been a widow for almost 30 years and felt fortunate to have her son living with her. |
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Cynthia Herr - Anorectal CancerCyndie Herr is just like most suburban moms - she drives her three children to school activities, play practice, soccer, golf, birthday parties . . . the list goes on! She has a network of terrific friends with whom she carpools, as well as socializes. Like many moms these days, Cyndie is health-conscious and provides healthy, nutritious food choices for her family. |
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John Higgins - Anorectal CancerWhen John Higgins made the decision in 1994 to seek the expertise of Fox Chase Cancer Center physicians for a second opinion, he had no idea the relationship would continue for the next 13+ years. |
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Karen Kleger - Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal"If anyone had a crystal ball and told me that cancer would be in my future, I would have told them they were crazy," Karen Kleger shared. Up until the spring of 2007 when Karen was diagnosed with cancer, she was an active, healthy, 38-year-old mother of 3. "I had even carried and delivered my niece as a surrogate for my sister-in-law and her husband due to her health issues." |
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Ray Beckler - Colon CancerIn the summer of 1974, at the young age of 19, Ray Beckler developed severe hemorrhoids. His family doctor took one look and sent him to a surgeon. Four years post surgery Ray's symptoms remained. |
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Richard Bellis - Colon Cancer with Metastasis to the LiverIn the fall of 1999 a routine colonoscopy detected polyps on Richard Bellis' colon followed by a biopsy of the polyps. The result? Richard had colon cancer. |
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Maria Carosella - Colon Cancer with Metastasis to the Lung"I'll never forget the day I was diagnosed with colon cancer. It was February 14, 2002 - my husband's birthday," recalled Maria Carosella. She asked her doctor to perform a colonoscopy because she had been symptomatic for quite some time. |
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Deborah Dahl - Colon Cancer with Metastasis to the LiverWhen Deborah Dahl recalls being in her late 20s and single in 1992, it's probably not what you would expect. After experiencing stomach pains, she went to her doctor, who ordered a colonoscopy. |
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Loretta Denofa - Colon Cancer"I don't have cancer. I was not treated at Fox Chase Cancer Center, but the doctors there saved my life. How? Because my mom had cancer and Dr. Farma saved her life. My mom is my world. She is my best friend," shared Angela Denofa, whose mother, Loretta, was surgically treated for colon cancer at Fox Chase in 2009. |
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Rosalie Fox - Colon CancerAlthough Rosalie Fox was widowed in 1981 at the age of 60, she is far from lonely. Little did she know that just 9 years later, her 6 children would produce 16 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. That same year, in 1990, Rosalie had her annual physical examination. Blood tests showed that she was anemic. Further testing would determine she had a blockage that was caused by colon cancer. |
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Joseph Herr - Colon Cancer with Metastases to the Liver and LungAt the age of 82, in 2002, during a routine colonoscopy, Joseph Herr was hit with a devastating diagnosis - colon cancer. With his family at his side, Joe decided to have surgery at a small community hospital where he had the colonoscopy. After the surgery, the doctor reported that he had removed two masses in the colon and that it appeared that the cancer had spread to his liver. |
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William Killian - Colon CancerIf you meet Bill Killian, he'll most likely ask you "Why is laughter the best medicine?" His answer? "Because there is no co-pay." In his spare time, Bill has a stand-up comedy routine about cancer. "Obviously, the only people who can appreciate the humor are those who have had cancer. If you can find humor in an iliostomy bag, you can get through anything! "A born comedian, Bill has learned to laugh his way through the most serious time in his life. |
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Dolores Poliseno - Colon Cancer with Metastasis to the LiverIn 2006, a persistent stomach ache landed Dolores in the hospital. After several tests in the Emergency Room, Dolores was admitted to her local hospital in Freehold, New Jersey. Within days, Dolores and her family learned she had colon cancer. "My kids were devastated," Dolores shared. "Even though I was in my 70s at the time, I was - and still am - very active." |
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James Slade - Colon CancerJim Slade wants the world to understand the importance of cancer screenings, especially for prostate and colon cancers. The underlying reason for his concern is that both screenings may have saved his life. |
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Paul Zych - Colon CancerPaul Zych considers himself a lucky man. In 1998, his older brother was diagnosed with a precancerous polyp on his colon. His doctor recommended that he call his family because they are at increased risk of getting colorectal cancer. When Paul hung up with his brother, he immediately scheduled a colonoscopy. |
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Marlin Beach - Esophageal CancerIn 2007, for the first time in his life, Marlin Beach had trouble eating. During every meal, food would become stuck in this throat. Instead of seeking medical attention, Marlin secretly hoped it would go away. Fortunately, his wife of 35 years, Bonnie, knew it would not disappear on its own. In the spring of 2008, she finally convinced him to go to the doctor. After several rounds of tests, they learned that Marlin's inability to swallow food properly was caused by a malignant tumor on his esophagus. |
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Charlie Cressman - Esophageal CancerInstead of slowing down to enjoy some time off with his kids, Charles Cressman started the summer of 2008 as busy as ever. Running his own contracting business, Charlie worked 60 hours a week and often ate a late dinner before retiring for the night. "Every night I had symptoms of acid reflux, including shortness of breath and choking," explained Charlie, who attributed it to eating a big meal before bed. Finally, he sought medical attention and underwent an endoscopy. |
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Rich Johnson - Esophageal CancerAlmost everyone faces challenges in his or her lifetime. For Rich Johnson, his life alterning challenge was a shocking diagnosis of esophageal cancer in May 2008. He was 50 years old. His immediate thoughts were to find out what treatment was available; which cancer centers offered leading treatment; and where he could find the country's top cancer specialists. |
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Robert Rappo - Esophageal Cancer, Barrett's EsophagusRobert Rappo has been struggling with renal failure and the resulting health issues since 1995. An endoscopy performed in the fall of 2008 resulted in a surprising diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus with high dysplasia. The reason he was caught off guard was that he had no symptoms. |
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Robert Kabaci - Esophageal CancerBobby Kabaci suffered from heartburn since he was a child. Growing up, he became so used to it that it never really occurred to Bobby to go to his doctor. As someone who works in the medical field, Bobby's mother kept insisting that he see his doctor. "I finally thought that if I went to the doctor, my mom would stop bugging me to go!" laughed Bobby. |
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Lee Mizrahi - Esophageal CancerAlthough he did not work directly for a hospital, Lee Mizrahi knows most of the area's hospitals inside and out. Lee spent 35 years working in hospital sales for a medical equipment company. His territory spanned from Washington, D.C. to Maine and as far west as Ohio. When it came time for Lee to choose a cancer hospital, it was one of the easiest decisions he would make. |
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Jerry Vanderwoude - Benign Esophageal TumorThe summer of 2006 was no fun for Jerry Vanderwoude. He was the victim of a car accident that left him unable to work. He lost his job and spent the next 7 months looking for a new one. The following spring, Jerry landed a great new job as a refrigeration technician for Scanlon Associates in its steel plant. Just 4 months later, in the winter of 2008, Jerry began choking on his food at every meal. He wrote it off to the fact that he was eating too fast -- or maybe not chewing properly. |
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Maria Bento - Gastric-Based Gastrointestinal Tumor (GIST)Maria Bento and her husband, Jose, left Portugal in 1973 and moved to America - the land of opportunity. Once here, they built both a close-knit family and a successful construction business in Philadelphia. Maria, a strong-willed woman, has learned many lessons over the years. Most importantly, to trust her gut and to question the decisions of others. That lesson might have saved her life. |
Matthew Baxter - Bile Duct CancerOn December 25, 2001, while many families were watching football together, Matthew Baxter spent the day in the emergency room watching from his gurney. His symptoms were unusual - he was itchy and jaundiced. Two biopsies later, Matthew learned he had a very uncommon cancer - adenocarcinoma in his bile duct. |
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Don Ebaugh - Bile Duct CancerIn his mid 70s, Donald Ebaugh is likely one of the most active retirees in Delaware. After retiring from the State's Medical Laboratory Division in Dover as a medical lab technician, he devoted much of his time to caring for horses, both as a trainer and rider. |
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Margaret Evans - Neuroendocrine Cancer of the SpleenKnowing that family history plays a strong role in a person's risk of developing cancer makes it no surprise to learn that Margaret Evans would develop cancer in her lifetime. Margaret lost a sister and nephew to colon cancer; her father to liver cancer; and her niece to pancreatic cancer. |
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Louis Ciaverelli - Pancreatic CancerLouis Ciaverelli didn't have time to get sick, much less for cancer. He was operating his own business, Top of the Line Cosmetic and Fragrance Company in New Jersey. Then, in early September of 2000, Lou learned he had pancreatic cancer. |
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Angela FedeleIn 1983, Angela Fedele was diagnosed with breast cancer at the same time she was going through a divorce. This 42-year-old mother of 4 felt that her whole life was crumbling apart. "I felt totally alone and full of despair," shared Angela, who put her health in the hands of her surgeon. After the mastectomy to remove the cancer, Angela tried to pick up the pieces of her life and move on. Little did she know this was just the beginning of a long journey with cancer that would span more than 2 decades. |
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Roger Yates - Intraductal Papillary Mucinous NeoplasmRoger Yates was no stranger to pancreatitis, a condition that results in an inflamed or infected pancreas. Roger had been treated for pancreatitis in 2004 and again in 2005, but never expected it to turn cancerous. When his local doctor in Delaware finally sent him to Fox Chase Cancer for further testing, Roger had a feeling that his doctor knew something that he didn't. "He probably didn't want to be the bearer of bad news," said Roger. "So he left that job to the experts at Fox Chase." |
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Anthony Celona- Benign Pancreatic TumorA tragic automobile accident landed Anthony Celona and his family in the hospital. Doctors performed several tests on Anthony to evaluate the extent of his injuries. A chest MRI revealed that in addition to a broken sternum, there was a growth that was dangerously placed between his pancreas and aorta. His doctor's suggestion was to "watch and wait" to see if the tumor progressed. The Celonas were terrified not knowing whether the tumor was cancerous - but well aware of how challenging it would be to remove. |
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Josephine Conowall - Pancreatic CancerJosephine Conowall was a hard worker. She operated a machine for Vicks VapoRub in Philadelphia for many years. You can imagine her excitement when she learned that her kids were sending her and her husband on a cruise to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. |
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Bill Demesquita - Pancreatic Cancer - A Very Rare VarietyAfter many years working in the mortgage business, Bill Demesquita attributed his recurring stomach pain to either an ulcer or reflux disease. When his antacid tablets were not enough to handle the discomfort, Bill's wife, Cheryl, decided, "Enough is enough. Bill was going to see a gastroenterologist." |
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Claude Feninger - Pancreatic CancerEvery patient remembers the day he or she was diagnosed. For Claude Feninger, that date was July 13, 2004. He explained, "Time stopped as I sat across the desk from the doctor at my local hospital who said, who said: 'I'm afraid it's pancreatic cancer.' 'How long do I have?' I asked. His response chilled me: 'At best, six months.'" |
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Stephen McNamara - Pancreatic CancerRaised with 12 siblings in Ireland, Stephen McNamara enjoyed his childhood and his country. However, in 1949, when the opportunity presented itself to come to America, he acted on it. Mary, a nursing student whom he met in England, followed her heart and came to America to marry Stephen. They settled in the Philadelphia area and raised their own family with 5 children. During this time, Stephen was drafted and served stateside during the Korean War. Not long after, he became a citizen of the United States. "I just fell in love with America," shared Stephen. "I had a great job at General Motors and a wonderful family." |
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Ronald Schnell - Pancreatic CancerIn October 2005, Ronald Schnell's wife couldn't take it anymore. Her husband was jaundiced, losing weight without effort, and experiencing other digestive issues. "Ronald had just retired and we had a lot to look forward to," said Catherine. "I was very concerned something was seriously wrong." It was. |
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Glenyce Scott-Hogland - Pancreatic CancerIn the spring of 2009, Glenyce Scott-Hogland began experiencing severe pain in her side. Luckily, she was at her office where several of her colleagues are nurses. They encouraged Glenyce to seek medical care at her local hospital. Initially, the emergency room doctors thought she might have kidney stones. Further testing revealed a suspicious spot on her pancreas. |
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Philip Shupe - Pancreatic CancerPhil Shupe, director of pre-owned car sales for Tom Masano Auto Group in Reading, Pennsylvania, prides himself on being especially up front, honest and forthcoming, although he admits that within the last 5 years, he has truly enjoyed getting to know each customer personally. That's because 5 years ago, a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer taught Phil the important lesson of how fragile life is. |
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Janet Williams - Pancreatic CancerJanet Williams absolutely loves being a grandmother. In her own words she explained, "I love my grandkids to pieces." Family has always been important to Janet, married for 51 years and the mother of 3 children and 5 grandchildren. |
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William Jefferson - "Sister Mary Joseph's" lymph nodeWilliam Jefferson, or as his friends refer to him as "Jeff," worked as a splicer for Verizon near his South Jersey home. He enjoyed his job, most of which was spent outdoors. When Jeff retired in 2001, at the age of 58, he was looking forward to spending much of his leisure time outside, whether it be gardening or swimming with his 9 grandchildren. |
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Louis Fantacone - Stomach CancerMany people would have a lot to complain about if they walked in Lou Fantacone's shoes. In 1958, while Christmas shopping, Lou's wife was killed in an automobile accident. She was 28 at the time. Lou was left alone to care for his 3 children, ages 2, 5 and 7. He worked as a machinist until he retired in 1988. "I've got nothing to complain about. I am blessed with 3 kids -- and a couple grandkids," said Lou. When it came time for Lou to deal with a diagnosis of cancer, he kept his word and did not complain. |
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Robert Mirkin - Stomach CancerIn 2006, Robert Mirkin was feeling as well as an 80-year-old could. He and his wife of more than 50 years were enjoying retirement, exercising and spending time with their growing family. However, a routine test at his gastrointestinal doctor revealed a possible problem. It appeared as though a tumor was growing at the point where Robert's stomach met the esophagus. His doctor sent him right to Fox Chase Cancer Center where specialists had access to more sophisticated diagnostic tools. That is where it was confirmed that Robert had gastric cancer. |