Wellness Exchange: Health Discussions
Mom Defies Cancer Prognosis, Triumphs with Unbreakable Spirit
(upbeat music) - Welcome to Listen 2, this is Ted. The news was published on Monday, October 7th. Joining us today are Eric and Kate. Our topic is a remarkable story of resilience in the face of a rare cancer diagnosis. We'll be discussing the case of Michelle Hughes, who has given a grim prognosis but has defied expectations. Let's start with the basics. Eric, can you explain what type of cancer Michelle was diagnosed with? - Sure thing, Ted. Michelle Hughes was hit with a real doozy, epithelioid, hemangioendothelioma, or EHE for short. Now, don't worry if you can't pronounce that mouthful. It's an ultra rare sarcoma that affects only one in a million people worldwide. To put that in perspective, you're more likely to get struck by lightning twice than to get this cancer. It forms in the cells that make blood vessels and can pop up all over the body, but it's got a thing for the liver, lungs, and bones. - While Eric's explanation is technically correct, I think we're missing the human element here. This diagnosis was absolutely devastating for Michelle. She was only 34 for crying out loud, and she'd just give it-- - Hold on a second, Kate. I understand the emotional impact, but let's not overlook the medical facts. This type of cancer is so rare that many doctors have never even seen a case that's crucial context for understanding. - Eric, please. The medical jargon isn't what matters here. What matters is that this young mother of three was told she might only have a few years left to live. Can you imagine getting that news with a newborn in your arm? - Thank you both for your perspectives. Kate, can you elaborate on the initial prognosis Michelle received? - Absolutely, Ted. The doctors initially dropped a bombshell on Michelle, telling her she'd likely only have three to five years left. Just let that sink in for a moment. She's got a newborn, plus two other little ones, and she's being told she might not even see them start school. It's enough to make your heart break into a million pieces. - While I understand the emotional weight of the situation, I think it's crucial to point out that medical prognosis aren't set in stone. In fact, Michelle's story took a turn when she met with a sarcoma specialist who told her about a patient living with EEC for-- - Oh, come on, Eric. - A single anecdote doesn't change the fact that stage four cancer is incredibly serious. Michelle had tumors all over her body, 17 in her liver alone. It's nothing short of a miracle that she's doing well-- - Kate, I'm not trying to downplay the severity, but hope is a powerful thing. That specialist's words completely changed Michelle's outlook. We can't ignore the impact of mental attitude on health outcomes. - You both make valid points. Let's talk about the symptoms of EHE. Eric, what should people be aware of? - Great question, Ted. EHE can be a real chameleon when it comes to symptoms. We're talking about a whole grab bag of issues, coughing fits, trouble breathing, belly pain that won't quit, fevers that come and go, dropping weight without trying, and in some wild cases even broken bones out of the blue. In Michelle's case, she got hit with sharp pain in her upper right abdomen during her first pregnancy. It's like her body was sending up red flags, but nobody knew how to read them at first. - Exactly, and that's the real kicker here, Ted. Michelle's symptoms were initially brushed off as just a gallbladder issue. It's a stark reminder that we've got to be our own health advocates. If something feels off, don't just shrug it off. Get a second opinion or a third if you need to. Your body knows when something's not right, even if the doctors can't figure it out right away. - That's an important point, Kate. Eric, what are the current treatment options for EHE? - Well, Ted, treating EHE is kind of like trying to hit a moving target blindfolded. Because it's so rare, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Doctors might throw everything but the kitchen sink at it. Surgery, chemo, radiation, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or even trying to cut off the blood supply to tumors. In Michelle's case, they're playing it by ear, just keeping an eye on those growths. It's a bit like watching a pot, hoping it never boils. - While those options exist on paper, let's not gloss over the fact that Michelle was basically a guinea pig for an experimental treatment. It's great that it helped stabilize her cancer. - Now, wait a minute, Kate. Calling Michelle a guinea pig is a bit harsh. Experimental treatments are often the cutting edge of medical science. They're how we make progress in fighting rare diseases. - Progress? Eric, we're talking about a young mother's life here, not a science experiment. The fact is we need more research and funding for rare cancers like EHE. People shouldn't have to rely on experimental treatments as they're only home. - Both of you raise important points about the challenges of treating rare cancers. Let's now consider a historical parallel to Michelle's story. Can anyone think of a similar case where someone defied medical expectations? - Absolutely, Ted. The case that springs to mind is Stephen Hawking, the brilliant physicist back in 1963, when Hawking was just a young whipper-snapper of 21. He was diagnosed with ALS and given a measly two years to live, but boy, did he prove them wrong. He went on to live for another 55 years, revolutionizing our understanding of the universe along the way. It's like he looked at death and said, "Not today, thank you very much." - While Hawking's case is impressive, I think a more relevant comparison would be Lance Armstrong. He was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain. Despite doctors giving-- - Hold your horses, Kate. I see where you're going, but I think the Hawking comparison is more apt. Like Michelle, Hawking was told he had a limited time left, but he chose to focus on living life to the fullest. He faced-- - Fair enough. But Armstrong's story also involves overcoming cancer and becoming an athlete, which is exactly what Michelle did. She went from being bedridden to crushing triathlons. That's not just surviving, it's the way-- - Both examples are compelling. Eric, can you elaborate on how Hawking's experience might relate to Michelle's approach to her diagnosis? - Absolutely, Ted. Hawking and Michelle are cut from the same resilient cloth. Both of them looked at their diagnoses and said, "You're not the boss of me." Hawking didn't let ALS stop him from unraveling the mysteries of black holes, getting hitched and having kids. Similarly, Michelle decided to grab life by the horns. She's not just existing, she's living with a capital L, focusing on her kids and setting herself up for success. It's like they both got the memo that life's too short for pity parties. - I agree that the mindset is similar, but I think we're overlooking a key difference here. Hawking's condition was degenerative, sure, but it had a somewhat predictable course. Michelle's cancer, on the other hand, is like a ticking time bomb. It could turn aggressive at any moment. - Now, hold on, Kate, I think you're splitting hairs here. Hawking also lived with constant uncertainty. His condition could have taken a turn for the worse at any time. The point is both of them chose to make the most clear time. - I get what you're saying, Eric, but there's a difference between a slowly progressing condition and cancer that could suddenly spread. It adds an extra layer of urgency to Michelle's situation. - Interesting point, Kate. How do you think this uncertainty affects Michelle's approach to life? - Well, Ted, I reckon it's like Michelle's got a fire lit under her. She's not just living, she's living life out loud as she puts it. It's like she's on a mission to cram a lifetime of memories into every single day. She's not just making a bucket list, she's drop kicking that bucket and sprinting through life. This isn't the calm, methodical approach we saw with Hawking. Michelle's got an hour never mindset that's pushing her to extremes, like going from cancer patient to triathlete. It's as if she's determined to leave her kids a highlight reel of epic proportions just in case. - I have to disagree, Kate. Hawking also lived with the constant possibility that his condition could worsen rapidly. He continued to work on mind bending physics problems, even when he could only move his eyes. That's not just living. - Fair point, Eric, but let's not turn this into the suffering Olympics. Both stories show incredible resilience, sure, but Michelle's situation is unique. She's not just facing her own mortality. - I agree that both stories are inspiring, Kate, but I think you're underestimating the psychological toll of Hawking's condition, living for decades with a degenerative disease requires just as much mental fortitude as facing cancer. - You've both made compelling arguments. Let's look to the future. How do you think Michelle's story might unfold from here? Eric, what's your perspective? - Well, Ted, I'm betting Michelle's going to continue knocking it out of the park. She's already told those initial three to five year predictions to take a hike, and her cancer's been playing nice and staying stable. With medical research chugging along, who knows what new treatments might pop up? I can see Michelle not just surviving, but thriving, maybe becoming the poster child for rare cancer research, inspiring folks left and right with her story. It's like she's writing a real life Rocky movie, but instead of boxing, she's battling cancer and winning round after round. - While I appreciate Eric's rose-colored view, I think we need a reality check here. Michelle's recent scans showed her tumors are growing, even if it's just a smidge. It's a stark reminder that we're dealing with a ticking time bomb. I see her facing an uphill- - Now hold your horses, Kate. A slight growth within the margin of error doesn't mean the sky is falling. Michelle's shown incredible resilience so far, even if she faces setbacks. I believe she'll tackle them head on. Remember, she sees exercise as crucial for- - Eric, please. We can't ignore the very real possibility that things could take a turn for the worse. It's not pessimism, it's being prepared. - Michelle might need to shift gears, focusing more on quality time with her family than physical challenges. - Both scenarios seem plausible. Eric, how do you think Michelle's story might impact the broader medical community? - Great question, Ted. I reckon Michelle's case could be a goldmine for researchers studying EHE. It's like finding a unicorn in the medical world, a patient who's not just surviving, but thriving with this ultra-rare cancer. Her success with that experimental treatment and the way she's boosted her health through lifestyle changes, that's the stuff medical breakthroughs are made of. I wouldn't be shocked if Michelle's story ends up plastered all over medical journals or becomes the talk of the town at rare cancer conferences. It's like she's unwittingly become a one-woman research study. - Well, that's a nice thought, Eric. I think you're getting a bit carried away. We can't base medical protocols on a single case no matter how impressive. What's more likely is that Michelle's story will light a fire under other patients with rare or incurable diseases. - Now, wait a minute, Kate, you're underestimating the value of case studies in medical research. Michelle's experience could provide valuable insights into managing EHE. It's not about basing protocols on one case. - I get that, Eric, but let's be real. The impact on individual patients is what really matters here. Michelle's story could give hope to people who feel like they've run out of options. Both outcomes could be significant. Kate, do you see any potential negative consequences of Michelle sharing her story so publicly? - Absolutely, Ted. While Michelle's story is more inspiring than a Hollywood blockbuster, it could set up some pretty unrealistic expectations for other cancer patients. Not everyone's going to be crossing triathlon finish lines or experiencing these Lazarus-like turnarounds. It's like comparing your everyday life to someone's Instagram highlight reel. For patients who are struggling more with their diagnoses, this could lead to a nasty cocktail of guilt and inadequacy. They might start thinking, "Why can't I be more like Michelle?" When in reality, everyone's cancer journey is as unique as a fingerprint. - I strongly disagree, Kate. You're missing the forest for the trees here. Michelle isn't sugar-coding her experience or presenting some sanitized version of living with cancer. She's been open about the challenges of pain, the uncertainty. What she's really showing is that it's possible to find joy and purpose- - Eric, you can't just brush off the very real issue of survivor's guilt. Michelle herself has talked about feeling guilty for doing well when others with EHE aren't. It highlights the emotional minefield that comes with surviving- - I hear you, Kate, but I think you're focusing too much on potential negatives. The benefits of sharing her story far outweigh any downsides. Michelle is providing hope and changing perceptions about life with stage four cancer. That's incredibly valuable. - Thank you both for this insightful discussion. Michelle Hughes' story is a powerful reminder of human resilience in the face of adversity. While her journey with EHE is unique, it offers hope and inspiration to many. As medical research continues, stories like Michelle's may help shape our understanding and treatment of rare cancers. Whether she's changing medical protocols or inspiring individual patients, Michelle's impact is undeniable. Her message of living life out loud is one we can all learn from regardless of our circumstances.