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GREATDAD111

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    Cancer patient gives doctor dose from the heart

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    Cancer patient gives doctor dose from the heart

    Cancer patient gives doctor dose from the heart

    10/06/05

    By Louis Llovio

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    Steven Engelman, left, of Reisterstown hugs Dr. David Sidransky, director of the Head and Neck Cancer Research group at Johns Hopkins University, after giving the physician a portrait.

    By all accounts Steven Engelman of Reisterstown should be dead.

    The 38- year-old father of three survived Hodgkin's disease when he was 20, a heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery when he was 27 and a cancerous tumor on his spine six years ago - and he found out earlier this year that he's been suffering from undiagnosed lung cancer for the past 4 1/2 years.

    Engelman credits his ability to survive these 18 years' worth of medical disasters to one man: Dr. David Sidransky.

    Sidransky is professor of otolaryngology (disorders of the ear, nose and throat), oncology, pathology, urology and director of the Head and Neck Cancer Research group at Johns Hopkins University and Hospital.

    Sidransky and Engelman first met when the doctor, then a fellow, treated the 20-year-old with Hodgkin's.

    Since then, Engelman said, the doctor, despite his work as a researcher, has been there for him "every step of the way."

    As a gesture of thanks for the years of advice, Engelman hired Owings Mills artist Jen Seidel-Walsh to paint a portrait of Sidransky.

    Known for roaming the halls of Hopkins in a yarmulke and cowboy boots, Sidransky was voted as one of "America's Best" by Time Magazine in 2001.

    Seidel-Walsh, whose family runs a Pikesville company creating makeup for people injured and disfigured in accidents, agreed to paint a portrait of the doctor using the photo from the Time article.

    "I put my heart and soul into this," she said.

    She spent about 60 hours working on the acrylic black-and-white portrait.

    The painting was presented to Sidransky at an informal ceremony at Hopkins' hospital complex Oct. 3.

    "I can't believe with everything else going on in your life you did this," said a visibly touched Sidransky.

    Both Seidel-Walsh and Engelman hope that the portrait will hang in the doctor's Hopkins office for years to come.

    "I know exactly where this is going to go," Sidransky said. "I know just the wall in my new office."

    For Engelman, the money he paid Seidel-Walsh for the commission is just the beginning of what he wants to give back.

    "I decided on the painting because it was more personal than giving money," he said. "I wanted to do something for David that came from the heart."

    Sidransky said he owes Engleman as well.

    "Steve, I owe you. I'll never forget how you helped me become the doctor I am."

    Engelman, who took his last dose of chemotherapy Sept. 23, said that he intends to donate money earmarked for cancer research as well.

    But now that the painting has been dedicated he has other things on his mind.

    According to the American Lung Association, only 15 percent of those diagnosed with lung cancer survive five years.

    Engelman is a few months shy of the five-year mark, and reaching it is his goal.

    "I don't know if I can make that happen," he said. "Why it grew for four years and I'm still alive is mind boggling. But I can't think of dying. I have three kids; they're my passion. I don't have an option."

    Engelman is separated from his wife, and his three sons live with him.

    Sidransky has him taking the new cancer-fighting drug Evastin, and he goes to the gym three times a week to stay strong.

    Even if he does fight off the cancer in his lungs, his greatest fear is that it will spread to his brain and liver.

    "Once it gets there," he said. "There's not much of a shot."

    That threat has him on antidepressants, but it also motivates him to continue the fight.

    "I intend to fight, fight, fight," he said. "I'll do whatever I have to do. I'll never stop."

    Sidransky, he knows, will fight along with him.

    "I trust him with my life."

    Dose from the heart

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT CYBERKNIFE MAYBE?

    I know alot about it. But I am fighting this thing very hard and thank god I have the best drs in the world helping me. I have heard about that and spoke to a Dr at Hopkins, I am going to see a surgeon again next week to see what can be done now. I had surgey once before in March but it was aborted because they found METS on the Plura. I just finished chemo and Avastin and now am trying to figure out what the next step is. Im trying very hard not to lose my left lung , but like you said if I have to I will.

    Thanks so much for your kind words. I am greatful for people like you who give me so much help.

    Steven

    Dose from the heart

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    Cancer patient gives doctor dose from the heart

    10/06/05

    By Louis Llovio

    Respond to this story

    Email this story to a friend

    Steven Engelman, left, of Reisterstown hugs Dr. David Sidransky, director of the Head and Neck Cancer Research group at Johns Hopkins University, after giving the physician a portrait.

    By all accounts Steven Engelman of Reisterstown should be dead.

    The 38- year-old father of three survived Hodgkin's disease when he was 20, a heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery when he was 27 and a cancerous tumor on his spine six years ago - and he found out earlier this year that he's been suffering from undiagnosed lung cancer for the past 4 1/2 years.

    Engelman credits his ability to survive these 18 years' worth of medical disasters to one man: Dr. David Sidransky.

    Sidransky is professor of otolaryngology (disorders of the ear, nose and throat), oncology, pathology, urology and director of the Head and Neck Cancer Research group at Johns Hopkins University and Hospital.

    Sidransky and Engelman first met when the doctor, then a fellow, treated the 20-year-old with Hodgkin's.

    Since then, Engelman said, the doctor, despite his work as a researcher, has been there for him "every step of the way."

    As a gesture of thanks for the years of advice, Engelman hired Owings Mills artist Jen Seidel-Walsh to paint a portrait of Sidransky.

    Known for roaming the halls of Hopkins in a yarmulke and cowboy boots, Sidransky was voted as one of "America's Best" by Time Magazine in 2001.

    Seidel-Walsh, whose family runs a Pikesville company creating makeup for people injured and disfigured in accidents, agreed to paint a portrait of the doctor using the photo from the Time article.

    "I put my heart and soul into this," she said.

    She spent about 60 hours working on the acrylic black-and-white portrait.

    The painting was presented to Sidransky at an informal ceremony at Hopkins' hospital complex Oct. 3.

    "I can't believe with everything else going on in your life you did this," said a visibly touched Sidransky.

    Both Seidel-Walsh and Engelman hope that the portrait will hang in the doctor's Hopkins office for years to come.

    "I know exactly where this is going to go," Sidransky said. "I know just the wall in my new office."

    For Engelman, the money he paid Seidel-Walsh for the commission is just the beginning of what he wants to give back.

    "I decided on the painting because it was more personal than giving money," he said. "I wanted to do something for David that came from the heart."

    Sidransky said he owes Engleman as well.

    "Steve, I owe you. I'll never forget how you helped me become the doctor I am."

    Engelman, who took his last dose of chemotherapy Sept. 23, said that he intends to donate money earmarked for cancer research as well.

    But now that the painting has been dedicated he has other things on his mind.

    According to the American Lung Association, only 15 percent of those diagnosed with lung cancer survive five years.

    Engelman is a few months shy of the five-year mark, and reaching it is his goal.

    "I don't know if I can make that happen," he said. "Why it grew for four years and I'm still alive is mind boggling. But I can't think of dying. I have three kids; they're my passion. I don't have an option."

    Engelman is separated from his wife, and his three sons live with him.

    Sidransky has him taking the new cancer-fighting drug Evastin, and he goes to the gym three times a week to stay strong.

    Even if he does fight off the cancer in his lungs, his greatest fear is that it will spread to his brain and liver.

    "Once it gets there," he said. "There's not much of a shot."

    That threat has him on antidepressants, but it also motivates him to continue the fight.

    "I intend to fight, fight, fight," he said. "I'll do whatever I have to do. I'll never stop."

    Sidransky, he knows, will fight along with him.

    "I trust him with my life."

    Im new here, Help!!!!

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    Steven,

    I read your story and you've endured more than anyone should have to, that's for sure. I know this waiting is tough, and we all understand because we've been there too.

    Just some FYI stuff--A PET lights up for one of three reasons--infection, inflammation, or malignancy. They will not know for sure why yours is lighting up until they get a tissue sample and do the pathology on it.

    If it's an infection or inflammation, that's the greatest news of all, and they can give you some strong courses of antibiotic and it will be over. If it's a malignancy, you will get the appropriate treatment for it just like we all did. It's not fun, but certainly survivable.

    Surgery is tough and recovery is slow, but you can do it. Chemo was not the horrid experience I was expecting. Certainly no one would volunteer for it, but I worked throughout the whole process and didn't suffer with nausea too much.

    I hope for the best news for you....and please keep us posted.

    Cindy

    Thanks Cindy, They told me yesterday that the cells were adnormal. I assume that means im headed for Chemo. Ill know for sure next week. They have ruled out infection or inflamation,,,,,thanks for your support.

    Steven

    Im new here, Help!!!!

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    I was just told that I have two (2) Tumors in my left lower lobe of my lung. One is about 1cm and the other is about 4cm. I also found out that they have been there since 2001. I wasnt told about this for some reason until last week. The PET that I had lights up in the lung area only near the mass. Im due to have a biopsy next week. What could these slow growing masses be ? Any thoughts.

    Thanks

    Steven

    http://www.spinalcordtumor.homestead.co ... steve.html

    http://www.aimoo.com/forum/postview.cfm ... ID=1227423

    LUNG TUMOR OR INFECTION????

    in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

    Posted

    Hi Steve,

    Your anxiety over this is completely understandable and well deserved. I read your link, and dude, you have been through alot. (by the way, good looking young men!).

    Unfortunately, you are in the middle of the wait and see. It seems as if the docs have recommended the biopsy for a reason. They want to rule in or rule out what the biggest fear is. I can only hope and pray with you that what remains in your lung is scar tissue.

    In the meantime, try so hard to put efforts into tools that you have used in the past to help to calm your fears. Try to keep your mind or hands occupied so as not to have to think of the day ahead...only the date to show up. What will be will be.

    Best of luck to you, Steve. And keep us posted on your results won't you?

    Cindi o'h

    Cindi, Im hoping for the best but I fear the worst, I just cant tell you how bad I feel, I have been through so much, this just isnt fair. It turns out that these tumors were detected in 2001 and I was never informed until the other day,. Figure that one out.

    Steven

    http://www.aimoo.com/forum/postview.cfm ... ID=1227423

    LUNG TUMOR OR INFECTION????

    in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

    Posted

    Steve,

    Your boys are beautiful. I agree with most of what you've said, one sees with different eyes after serious brush with mortality.

    Hurry up and wait is difficult -- it out and out sucks. But it is.

    No sense getting your knickers in a twist while you wait.

    I hope the biopsy is conclusive, whatever it is, and I'll pray it is scarring.

    Good luck, and keep us posted.

    XOXOXOX

    Prayers always,

    MaryAnn

    i love the picture of the dog,,,,how did you do that? Can you e mail that to me ,,,thats very kool.

    Steven1338@aol.com

    thanks

    http://www.aimoo.com/forum/postview.cfm ... ID=1227423

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