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Gastrointestinal Cancers
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Cynthia Herr - Rectal 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 - Rectal 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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Rita Schaeffer - Very Low Rectal CancerIn January 2004 when most people were recovering from the holidays, Rita Schaeffer went to her doctor because she had a painful infection. At age 62, Rita quickly learned she had rectal cancer. |
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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. |