Scientists have uncovered much about cancerous tumors but they know little about the menace coursing through Susan De Vries's body.
Doctors could treat the cancer in her breast. But it metastasized, spreading across her chest. Modern medicine can handle most isolated tumors. But metastasis -- until recently -- was nearly impossible to treat, or even understand.
After her cancer metastasized, De Vries's prognosis went from talking about being "cured" to purchasing a video camera to record advice for her three children that she probably won't be able to give in person.
"I'm going to talk about having periods, about sex. I'm trying to be there even though I'm not going to be there," said De Vries, 39. "I want them to remember me as healthy and happy and with my hair -- youngish."
She has the camera. But she cannot, just yet, bring herself to start taping.
http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2004/06/29/stopping_the_spread/
Doctors could treat the cancer in her breast. But it metastasized, spreading across her chest. Modern medicine can handle most isolated tumors. But metastasis -- until recently -- was nearly impossible to treat, or even understand.
After her cancer metastasized, De Vries's prognosis went from talking about being "cured" to purchasing a video camera to record advice for her three children that she probably won't be able to give in person.
"I'm going to talk about having periods, about sex. I'm trying to be there even though I'm not going to be there," said De Vries, 39. "I want them to remember me as healthy and happy and with my hair -- youngish."
She has the camera. But she cannot, just yet, bring herself to start taping.
http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2004/06/29/stopping_the_spread/
