updates from The Farber Center for Radiation Oncology

The Farber Center Monthly Newsletter

Greetings!

Better late than never, our November newsletter has finally arrived. Sorry for the delay, blame Sandy.

If you have missed any of our past newsletters you can read them here: archived newsletters

If you would like to be featured as our patient story please email Tanya.

PATIENT STORY OF THE MONTH

taylor

On May 26th 2012

a mild Saturday afternoon I awoke laying on a gurney in the ER of Brooklyn Hospital. I was surprised to find a friend was standing next to me. She gently placed her hand on mine, and I said, "I dreamt I had a seizure." She replied, "it was no dream."

Over the next 4 days I learned that I had a tumor in my brain which caused the seizure. I now needed to make a decision as to whether I wanted surgery to have the tumor removed. After consulting with my Dr. s, family and friends I decided to have the surgery. I was frightened and confused. Was I going to die, was I going to lose my ability to think or speak. Was I going to be able to walk?

On June 1, 2012, my neurosurgeon, the brilliant Dr. Anders Cohen was able to remove the tumor. When I woke after surgery I could think clearly and even made jokes. I knew then I had made the right decision.

It took almost 2 weeks before I met again with Dr. Cohen to find out the results of my pathology report. I had been diagnosed with GBM, a very aggressive brain cancer. I was shocked and confused. I asked Dr. Cohen only 1 question. Can it be beat? He replied "yes." That was all I needed to know. Dr. Cohen then asked me if I would be willing to leave Brooklyn and go to Manhattan for treatment. I said of course. Immediately he was on the phone with Dr. Marnee Spierer at The Farber Center for Radiation Oncology. After making sure that my insurance would cover my treatment at The Farber Center, Dr. Cohen said, "now I need to find you a neuro-oncologist" 2 days later Dr. Cohen called me and said that he had found me a neuro-oncologist but was also pushing to get me into a cancer vaccine trail.

EVENT DETAILS:

OUR NEXT OHE CLASS for TFC patients only:

We are looking at dates for December and January and will send out reminders shortly.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

"Yours is the only business where success means NOT having repeat customers and yet you still go above and beyond for each and every one of us"

-patient

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True or False?

Listening to Mozart Makes You Smarter

False. The original University of California at Irvine study has been controversial in the scientific community. Dr. Frances Rauscher, a researcher involved in the study, stated that they never claimed it actually made anyone smarter; it just increased performance on certain spatial-temporal tasks. Other scientists have been unable to replicate the original results, and there is currently no scientific information to prove that listening to Mozart, or any other classical music, actually makes anyone smarter.

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I soon made an appointment with Dr. Spierer and also an appointment with Dr. Deborah Beth Gruber a neuro-oncologist at NYU Langone Cancer Center. This was my new treatment team. They were a new generation of knowledgeable, whip smart Dr.s dedicated to comforting and curing the cancer I was afflicted with.

On my 1st visit to The Farber Center for Radiation Oncology I was pleasantly surprised. A friend escorted me and we were both impressed with the warmth, not only of the environment, but also of every person we met.

Vivian first introduced herself and then offered to brew me a soothing green tea. Sammie warmly explained that Dr, Spierer would see me right after she took my vitals. On meeting Dr. Spierer I immediately knew I was at a cutting edge facility where I would receive world-class radiation treatment. Dr. Spierer took her time with me and explained to me what side effects I could expect. On the same day I was fitted with my mask. I met Kimberly, who was so warm and eager to explain the process of making and fitting the apparatus. It would hold my head stone still during my 30 radiation treatment sessions. I soon met Amy who was so warm and professional and accommodating I can't imagine anyone being more helpful.

I learned I was accepted into the cancer vaccine trails on Friday. By the following Monday I started 42 days of chemotherapy and the next day I began 30 days of radiation therapy.

On the day I started radiation treatment I was given a thoughtfully stocked goody bag, which included wonderful things including creams, and lotions (suki skincare products) which I found to be very effective in managing the dryness and redness which were side effects of my radiation treatment.

Some days were better than others. I remember one morning I left my phone in one of the centers dressing rooms. I went back to the center and explained to Vivian that this was the 2nd time I had left my phone somewhere in 2 days. Vivian looked me straight in the eye and said "Relax Mr. Taylor, you have lot on your mind" That simple statement brought me back to reality. I often refer back to that moment when I feel overwhelmed.

One morning after completing my radiation treatment I saw Dr. Spierer at the front desk. She said "I was up at 2:00am this morning sending text messages and my husband asked me what I was doing, and I said making sure Mr. Taylor is comfortable." You see the day before I had some discomfort with my mask. It was that level of concern and care that I received throughout my 6 weeks of treatment at The Farber Center.

Unfortunately working full time I was not able to take advantage of the Urben Zen Integrative Therapy program. Through support of a friend and Dr. Spierer I began weekly Jin Shin Jyutsu treatments. This is a Japanese hands on healing discipline I found it indispensible in my personal recovery process.

I completed my 6 weeks of radiation treatment and my initial 42 days of chemotherapy. I also began and completed the induction phase of the vaccine trial. And my most recent MRI was clear of cancer. YES!!

I keep a positive outlook on everything I do and I am so grateful for the support and care I have received. I'm doing my part to heal, but I would not be here without my cancer team. I have the best team of cancer specialist fighting on my side. Through all of this I was never just a number I was always a person. My advice to anyone fighting cancer is to be your own advocate. Fight for the right team; if your doctor tells you that you can only be treated at one hospital then go somewhere else. Go to a doctor who will put the best team together for you. I had one doctor in Brooklyn, one at NYU and one at The Farber Center. Your team can make all the difference.

A Special offer for Farber Center Newsletter Readers

NEWSWORTHY:
Farber Center Toy Drive for Sandy Victims!

We will be collecting toys for the Neighborhood Housing Association of Staten Island. They will personally go out and distribute the toys we collect to those who need. We are asking if you can bring to the center, one unwrapped new toy for ages 4 to 11 after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Thank you!

FROM THE EXPERT: Focus on CNS

Dr. Marnee Spierer Primary brain tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign brain tumors do not contain cancer cells, and once they are removed, they rarely grow back. Although they are benign, they can grow near sensitive areas of the brain and cause symptoms and even be life-threatening. That is why they need to be removed. Occasionally benign brain tumors can become malignant. Malignant brain tumors (referred to as brain cancer) on the other hand, do contain cancer cells and as such are often life-threatening. The grade of the tumor tells if it is benign or malignant; slow-growing or fast-growing. Over time, a low-grade tumor may become a high-grade tumor. Grade I: The cells are benign and grow slowly. Grade II: The cells are malignant and grow slowly. Grade III: The cells are malignant and grow more rapidly than Grade II. These tumors are called anaplastic. Grade IV: The cells are abnormal and tend to grow quickly.

There are many types of primary brain tumors. Primary brain tumors are named according to the type of cells or the part of the brain in which they begin. The most common types are: Astrocytoma: Tumor that arises from astrocytes. Grade I or II astrocytoma may also be called a low-grade glioma. A grade III astrocytoma is also called a high-grade or an anaplastic astrocytoma (AA). Grade IV astrocytoma is also called a high-grade astrocytoma or a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Meningioma: Tumor that arises from the meninges. It is usually benign (Grade I) but can be grade I, II, or III. Oligodendroglioma: Tumor that arises from cells that make the fatty substance that covers and protects nerves. It can be grade II or III. Primary brain tumors are very different from a brain tumor that started in another part of the body (ie breast or lung) and traveled to the brain. These are called metastatic brain tumors and are treated differently. The cause of most adult brain tumors is unknown. In order to diagnose a brain tumor - it is typically surgically removed. This surgery is also considered treatment. Whether or not a patient needs treatment after surgery (chemotherapy or radiation) depends on exactly what kind of tumor it is. Some post-surgical treatment is standard and some is done on a clinical trial. For some patients, standard therapy is appropriate and for others, a clinical trial offers the best chance of a cure. Patients should always consult their doctors to determine the best course of care.

Dr. Marnee Spierer is board certified in Radiation Oncology and a partner at The Farber Center for Radiation Oncology