Patient Profile: Shirley’s Cancer 2.0
In the fall of 2024, Shirley was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. She did not have any symptoms that would alert doctors to a problem, but on a routine follow-up scan for breast cancer that had been successfully treated in 2014, a polyp was detected in her lung and flagged for a follow-up scan. That later scan confirmed growth of the polyp, and it was followed with a confirming biopsy and PET scan.
Shirley was 84 years old at the time of diagnosis and she recognized pretty quickly that cancer treatment at 84 was going to feel differently than cancer treatment at 74, “I’ve only got bats in my brain now,” laughs Shirley, “I had a lot more energy back then and I was a lot younger. I was stronger then, too.”
Shirley also has a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, commonly referred to as AFib, an irregular heartbeat that causes symptoms that are similar to that of lung cancer – fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. After years of dealing with the impact of her cardiac issues, Shirley was daunted with the prospect of another round of cancer treatment, but found strength in her faith, “It’s His will, not mine,” she says, “It is what it is.”
So Shirley did what Shirley does and she got right on it. With a referral from her primary physician to Dr. Ellen Gustafson, a hematologist-oncologist at Hope & Healing Cancer Services in New Lenox, Illinois, Shirley had her initial appointment on December 4th and started chemotherapy on December 5th. “Dr. Gustafson told me they really needed to ‘get at it’ so that’s what we did. I really liked her. She was very down to earth and gave me no sugar coating.”
With that same kind of urgency and efficiency, Shirley saw a radiation oncologist on December 17th and had her mapping done on December 18th. Radiation mapping is the process of simulating radiation treatments to accurately scan the tumor that will receive radiation, create a custom mask or other immobilization device to ensure the patient cannot move during the treatment, and to externally mark the body where the radiation beams need to enter.
Immediately after the holidays, Shirley began her radiation treatment. These were intense in nature and ran three weeks straight, Monday through Friday. The radiation treatments were also scheduled twice daily, so Shirley was making multiple trips a day, with morning treatment, then going back home for lunch and a rest, before heading back to the hospital for her afternoon treatment.
It was exhausting. And freezing, as this was happening in January right outside Chicago during an extended cold snap. Shirley has a pragmatic approach to life and experiences things through an ‘unfortunate/fortunate’ lens. The way she saw it, it was unfortunate to have radiation treatments in January, but it was fortunate that she lived close to the hospital where the treatments were, was independent enough to drive herself, and only had to deal with cold and not snow and ice. “I discovered wearing snow pants, just like little kids do, really cut the cold out,” recalls Shirley, “I had everything I needed to get through it.”
That attitude of buckling down and doing what needs doing has carried Shirley far in her second experience with cancer. When asked if she had any advice for other cancer patients, Shirley was quick to suggest, “Listen to the doctors, eat well – get all your veggies and protein, drink lots and lots of water, get rest, sit outside and absorb as much sunshine as you can, and pray every chance you get.”
Dr. Gustafson could not agree more, “Patients like Shirley are special. She has a mindset that helps her cope with the challenges of cancer treatment. She does what she needs to do, keeps positive, but realistic, and listens. We always look forward to seeing her in the clinic.”
Written By: Sheila Quirke, MSW
Reviewed By: Ellen Gustafson, MD
