2008 Woodie Awards
Nothing can stop power of determination
Faced with tumor, student believes:
Stacy Conway
Issue date: 4/15/05 Section: Features
"When I found out what it was and where exactly it was, I knew surgery is not what I wanted," Smith said. "I'm scared to death of what may happen. My friends and family keep telling me it will be all right, and I know that it will, but there is always that feeling of being scared."
Support groups also are an option for patients. Amarillo doesn't have any especially for brain cancer, but it does offer general groups.
"When the doctor told us, I just cried in my aunt's arms," Smith said. "She kept holding on, telling me it was all right and that I'd be just fine. I called my best friend afterwards. We just sat on the phone and cried together. She told me that we would get through this together.
"Honestly, I'm learning a lot about the whole process, but I think I have learned more about having close friends there to support you."
Winston said, "When she came in for the followup, she knew something was wrong. My partner and I are family friends, and we knew that she needed the people who loved her to be around for this. I called in her grandparents, aunts and a friend."
A good relationship with a doctor also can help duringthe new experience.
"Fortunately, she took the option of a new drug," Winston said. "We can take her to the hospital and set her up an intravenous injection. It will be better in the long run for her."
CPT-11 (Camptosar) was approved by the Federal Drug Administration in 1996, according to www.meds.com. It breaks down the DNA molecules in the cancer cell. It ultimately ends in death for the tumor.
"I'm ready to be done with all of this so I can go on with the rest of my life," Smith said. "This Thursday is when I go in. I know my friends said they would be there if I need them. I am determined to beat all odds. I think I'm ready for anything."
Support groups also are an option for patients. Amarillo doesn't have any especially for brain cancer, but it does offer general groups.
"When the doctor told us, I just cried in my aunt's arms," Smith said. "She kept holding on, telling me it was all right and that I'd be just fine. I called my best friend afterwards. We just sat on the phone and cried together. She told me that we would get through this together.
"Honestly, I'm learning a lot about the whole process, but I think I have learned more about having close friends there to support you."
Winston said, "When she came in for the followup, she knew something was wrong. My partner and I are family friends, and we knew that she needed the people who loved her to be around for this. I called in her grandparents, aunts and a friend."
A good relationship with a doctor also can help duringthe new experience.
"Fortunately, she took the option of a new drug," Winston said. "We can take her to the hospital and set her up an intravenous injection. It will be better in the long run for her."
CPT-11 (Camptosar) was approved by the Federal Drug Administration in 1996, according to www.meds.com. It breaks down the DNA molecules in the cancer cell. It ultimately ends in death for the tumor.
"I'm ready to be done with all of this so I can go on with the rest of my life," Smith said. "This Thursday is when I go in. I know my friends said they would be there if I need them. I am determined to beat all odds. I think I'm ready for anything."