Day
19 January 23
Phil
Sinardi
submitted by Idella Slauenwhite(wife)
Phil Sinardi is my husband and our wonderful life suddenly turned into a nightmare when I asked him to make sure he got a PSA test during a routine physical. Phil's PSA test came back5.4.Some may think that is not a high reading but our family doctor decided to send him for a biopsy anyway. I'll always remember the day we went to get the results. It was like the world stopped and started again in slow motion. The specialist was talking and telling us it's nothing donŐt worry as he walks us toward the door. The next thing we know we're in the car and we have all these questions but no answers.
I start doing research , so we could be educated about the decision Phil had to make. Will he have a Radical Prostectomy, or Pellets implanted, or have Radiation, or do nothing. As we became more educated about prostrate cancer we also found a group called Man to Man. This is a group of men that have been diagnosis with prostrate cancer and have been treated or are in the process of making a decision. They have speakers and some helpful information. We went to a few meetings.
Finally Phil made the decision to have a radical prostectomy. This is the complete removal of the prostrate gland. The surgery was set for April 1st, 1999.The specialist kept telling us, there would be no problem it was just a little lump. Nothing to be concerned about. Well the day finely came and Phil & I waited for what seemed like hours in this little cubical, finely they came for him and he walked into the surgery room.
Phil's brother Carman and our two daughters Sharon & Susan waited with me for what seemed like hours. Finally the surgeon came and he looked at me and said I'm sorry. I said what do you mean your sorry. He said the cancer was much larger then he had expected and it was not encapsulated, meaning it had spread through the wall of the prostrate.(so much for don't worry it's just a little lump).
Well Phil came through the surgery fine. Now we were faced with getting him radiation treatment. This we find out is not easy. Our land of plenty has turned into a land with deaf ears. I could not believe my husband would not be receiving his treatment as soon as his body had healed from the surgery. No, you must wait your turn and Phil's turn would be in August if nothing unforeseen happened. I started writing letters with no response. Then I sent letters by registered mail to the premier and health minister. Finally I got their attention. We were given a date that we could travel to Thunder Bay, Cleveland or Buffalo. Well we started our trips to Buffalo to THE ROSWELL PARK CANCER INSTITUTE, June 14, 1999. For all of the road blocks our province placed in front of us,we were able to over come them and in the end find the most wonderful group of people on this earth. We made 37 trips to Buffalo (what a journey). Phil's brother Carman and I did most of the trips. (Carman, January 2001 had surgery for lung cancer. We pray for his continued recovery).
It has been 3 years and Phil is in remission and is back at his job as Senior Proudce Buyer at Dominion Citrus in Toronto and his golf game hasn't skipped a beat.
Phil's life continues to center around his family. We celebrate all special occasions with large family gatherings. We have two beautiful grown daughters Sharon & Susan and a great son-in-law Stephen.
But the light of our life is our 15month old granddaughter ALEXANDRA. What joy and happiness Alex has brought into our lives. In closing Phil's wish is for every man that walks this earth to realize they are never to young for a PSA test. Do not wait for your doctor to suggest one. You insist on a PSA test every time you have a physical.
To JEFF and KEVIN we thank you for this wonderful ride and may GOD BLESS YOU and keep you safe on this blessed journey.
Virginia
Musselman
submitted by Sally Reed
Virginia Musselman was born and raised in Austin, Texas. She has a wonderful husband Johnny and is the mother of three exquisite kids: John, James and Marianna. Virginia is just about the best and giving friend that a person could ask for.
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999, Virginia was one of 4 that took me to the wig shop and took pictures as we made a terrible day into one of stupid photos, many laughs and terrible tears. Virginia took me aside that day and said, "Sally, it is as if people with cancer have their own sub-culture. The world keeps whizzing by, and here you are in a different world trying to find answers to help you survive."
As I went through chemotherapy I could always count on her to send me weekly updates via e-mail about the outside world, great jokes and her own special "arrow prayers". In May of 2001, Virginia was diagnosed with breast cancer also. Her Mother, Janette, died two weeks later after having fought breast cancer for 6 years. I thought my world ended when I found that my cancer had spread to 3 lymph nodes. Virginia has not been that fortunate. Her cancer has gone into 10. She will be in a research study for stem cell rescue at M.D. Anderson before the start of February. It is a risky treatment but one that I know she will survive. When the Coast to Coast team heard that I was with Virginia at a doctor's appointment and running late the day of our dinner at LAF, they all opened their hearts and offered their good wishes on video. When I later came in to the room, each and every one of CtC Team had given a special tribute to Virginia that I will forward to her laptop while she is in 21 day isolation at MDA. It will be a very special surprise that will lift her spirits and her heart. So? What can I say? Words are not enough.
I hug each of you in my heart daily and I know that through selfless acts like yours we will find the answers to help us survive and the treatments to cure the wonderful "Virginia's" that we do so love. My very, very best for strong winds at your back as the road unfolds before you.
Sally R. Lance Armstrong Foundation
Phil
Sinardi