Blind-sided by my reaction: The role of attitude in surviving cancer

Richard Haimowitz, 62, a lawyer in Queens, New York who was found to have pancreatic cancer in January 2007, thought of himself as a warrior, fighting with all available ammunition.

"The day of my last treatment, people congratulated me, but I felt blind-sided by my reaction," he said. "I thought, 'Oh my God, I have nothing left to fight with,' and I felt angry that there was nothing left for me to do." Statistics to the contrary, he has had two clean scans, is back at work and takes spinning classes. As he soldiered through treatment, he did not fear death, even though he did not want to die.

Many studies published in oncology and mental health journals have looked at whether attitude is a factor in survival or recurrence rates, a core belief in many cultures and faiths. Some studies say Yes; others say No. They all have their critics.

Advice to friends and families of cancer patients: Try to empathize with them regardless of their mix of feelings.

Read another story about the role of attitude in recovering from cancer.

Thanks to Jan Hoffman for the source article in the June 1 issue of the NY Times.

I’ve used my unexpected fame: Last Lecture of Prof. Randy Pausch

Carnegie Mellon Prof. Randy Pausch was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and was invited to give a last lecture. It is now widely available on the Web.

After I gave my lecture in September, I expected to go home and quietly spend time with my family. I never imagined that my talk would be viewed online by millions worldwide. The response has overwhelmed and moved me. Thousand of people have written to me about their life lessons. I've also been buoyed by former students who've told me how my teaching made a difference to them. There's no greater gift for a teacher.

I've used my unexpected fame to advocate for pancreatic cancer research. Last month, I testified before Congress to seek funding for my disease, which is considered the deadliest of cancers.

I've had great fun too. In my lecture, I told of two childhood dreams: playing in the NFL and being Captain Kirk on Star Trek. Strangers fulfilled those wishes. I was invited to scrimmage with the Pittsburgh Steelers and got to say a line in a new Star Trek film. Both experiences were thrilling.

I'm lucky to be living longer than I expected, allowing me more time with my kids. I've tried to do unforgettable things with them – such as swimming with dolphins – so they'll have concrete memories of us and of my love for them.

I am honored that my lecture will live on and that people have found it beneficial. Honestly, though, the talk was for my kids, and it gives me comfort to know that they will one day watch it.

Advice: Say your most essential messages before it's too late.

Browse for related stories in the index at the very bottom of this page, or see a video of his moving congressional testimony last month.

Thanks to the writers of Parade Magazine for the source article in their April 6 issue.

A glorious blend of forces: Presbyterian Health Plan and Whipple

Gordon Hendrickson is a retired administrator for the YMCA and the Spina Bifida Association, and now lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Five years ago, at age 66, routine blood tests found something wrong with his liver. After more tests, he received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. His doctors thought they had detected it early enough for surgery to save his life. But he would have to go elsewhere for the rarely-performed surgery, they advised, because doctors in Albuquerque had little experience with the rare, complicated, and risky Whipple procedure he needed.

Studies show that treatment by experienced surgeons and hospitals with much relevant experience greatly increases the odds of survival for patients with pancreatic cancer, and indeed, for many other conditions.

Gordon’s internist, Dr. Kristine Bordenave, found a major cancer center in Houston that could safely perform the Whipple – M.D. Anderson. But his insurer, Presbyterian Health Plan, insisted on selecting from local surgeons who had each performed an average of only a single Whipple.

Since Presbyterian Health Plan had refused to pay for care at M.D. Anderson, Gordon used a new credit card for the deposit, and later got socked with $80,000 of medical bills.

He fought Presbyterian for a year, filing two appeals. He took his case to a state review board, where he had to represent himself because he could not afford a lawyer. He ultimately won the case, forcing Presbyterian to pay the whole bill.

In June, his five-year checkup showed he has been cured of pancreatic cancer. A glorious blend of forces – smart doctoring, luck, and his own wisdom and grit – had come together to save his life.

Advice: You don’t have to accept an insurer’s No as the final answer.

Read the source story in Denise Grady’s July 29 article in the New York Times.

He decided to spend his remaining time in style: Cancer misdiagnosis

John Brandrick, 62, was told two years ago that he had terminal pancreatic cancer. He decided to spend his remaining time in style, quitting his job and spending his savings on hotels, restaurants and holidays.

A year later, doctors in southwest England revised their diagnosis: John was suffering from pancreatitis, a non-fatal ailment.

"My life has been turned upside down by this," he said. "I was told I had limited time to live. I got rid of everything — my car, my clothes, everything."

He said he did not want to take the hospital to court, "but if they have made the wrong decision they should pay me something back."

The hospital said there was "no clear evidence of negligence" on its part, adding, "Whilst we do sympathize with Mr. Brandrick's position, clinical review of his case has not revealed that any different diagnosis would have been made at the time based on the same evidence," the hospital said in a statement.

Advice to people receiving a dread diagnosis: Get a fully independent second opinion. Live your life to the fullest extent you can.

Read another of our cancer misdiagnosis stories, or the Houston Chronicle’s source story on May 7.