Marthambles linked this story, and that link is dead, too. The publisher -- Brentwood, CA's paper -- does not appear to have searchable online archives. But I found it archived elsewhere, and it has a couple of little details -- such as her intial CA125 measurement, size of primary resected tumor, etc. They probably aren't very relevant, but here it is:
>>Cancer victim beats enormous odds by Marianne Foglia - Staff writer Posted on September 2, 2005
For the first time in five years, Nancy Liechty has been declared cancer-free. She and Midge Moser, right, are seeking donations to pay for remodeling a building behind the United Methodist Church that will be used as a workshop for Kaleidoscope, a grassroots cancer outreach organization. For the first time in five years, Nancy Liechtys doctor has declared her cancer free. Hers is a story of hope mingled with despair. The Discovery Bay woman has walked a harrowing path culminating in a kaleidoscope of new friends and a future filled with the desire to help others. In 2000, Liechty was busy helping plan her sons spring wedding. Her in-laws were coming for a big dinner and before the chaos ensued, a visit to a massage therapist revealed more than she ever wanted know. A large mass in her stomach sent up a red flag for the therapist, who urged her to visit her doctor immediately. That visit and urgently-conducted tests resulted in a surgery appointment scheduled the day after the wedding. But Liechty misinterpreted the doctors words, believing her chances of having cancer to be slim, which actually helped her get through the wedding with a smile and sense of relief, since she hadnt announced the development to her family. Only her sister, who accompanied her to the doctor, knew about it. The surgery was postponed a few days, but exposed just about the worst news possible. Doctors had to remove a 10-pound mass and found that the ovarian cancer had spread to her thorax, pelvic and abdominal cavities. Six inches of bowel and internal lining called omentum were removed during the 10-hour operation. Ive had chemotherapy ever since and lost my hair four times, said the registered nurse, who moved from Clayton to Lakeshore about a year ago. The only thing that really got to me was the first time I lost my hair. The cancer was classified stage four, the most advanced, and the CA-125 ovarian cancer-marker test, for which a normal level is 0-35, registered a whopping 1,745 for Liechty. Chances of surviving ovarian cancer are best if found early, but unfortunately telltale signs appear only at the most advanced stage. About 29 percent of ovarian cancers are found before tumor growth has spread into tissues and organs beyond the ovaries. Most of the time, the disease has already advanced before it is diagnosed. Liechtys ordeal found her in chemotherapy and radiation treatment programs constantly during the past five years. Her downs included divorce and near death. I thought I was having a heart attack, Liechty said of her 53rd birthday two years ago. On the day before her birthday, she and some friends took a limo ride to the wine country. I must have looked awful. My white and red blood cell counts were non-existent. (The treatments) had almost killed me. Then, about a year ago, she learned her husband of 34 years had a girlfriend. He said he didnt want to watch me die and thats why he was leaving, Liechty said. At about the same time, she was selected as a candidate for an experimental treatment drug called TLK 286 for ovarian cancer. The drug actually makes the cancer cells more susceptible to traditional chemotherapy drugs.
Developed by the drug company Telik, based in San Jose, Liechty said, I was one of 350 women in the United States participating. Since April of this year, Liechty has required no further treatments and her doctor said last month that she was CR. Complete remission, she said. I just sat down and thought about the fact that I hadnt been cancer-free for five years. It is beatable. Also about a year ago, Liechty decided to move to Discovery Bay to be closer to her son Erik, her daughter in law Jennifer, and her three grandsons, Schuyler, almost 13, Nicholas, 5, and Bryce, 1, who also live in Discovery Bay. Liechty got involved with the cancer support and outreach group Kaleidoscope when she moved here, and has been motivated to help the organization raise funds for a much-needed building. Kaleidoscope is the neatest organization, because its what you want it to be. They dont expect anything from you, she said, recalling when she received one of the groups trademark Bags of Hope. When the bag was dropped off, co-founder Jan Page immediately spotted Liechtys beautiful ornate kaleidoscope and invited her to bring it to the next meeting, which she did. It was nice to have somebody who cared other than family and your circle of friends. And I got to have Jan Page in my life. Liechty said she now helps raise funds for the organization, which is about $5,000 short of reaching its building fund goal of $10,000. The United Methodist Church donated a portion of one of its buildings, but the group has to finish the inside, turning it into a workshop of hope. To help make that happen, you may donate to Kaleidoscope by calling 516-4039.<<
Cheers, Tuck |
