Michelle's Story
by Michelle Cadorette 

I’m 42 years old—a native of Massachusetts, now living in Manchester, New Hampshire. My high school years were spent at Marian High School (1987) in Framingham, MA, followed by a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in English at St. Anselm College (1991) in Manchester. After earning a Master's Degree in American Studies at Boston College (1994), Manchester drew me back to begin my teaching career. I currently teach sophomore American Studies and Senior Seminar Classes at Bow High School in Bow, NH. I have organized field trips, participated on committees, mentored students, and coached track and field as well as cross country running teams. I enjoy walking, biking and water-skiing, reading, mowing the lawn, attending the theater, eating candy, traveling in the U.S. and abroad, visiting with my four Godchildren, and spending time with family and friends.

My journey as a cancer patient started in 1999 with a persistent mouth infection. Symptoms subsided and then returned. Seven months later, after treatment with several antibiotics, special diets, a tongue biopsy and thorough medical tests, my doctors remained stumped.

A referral brought me to Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) where a chest x-ray showed tumors—on my lungs and on my heart. That was twelve years ago; I was 30 years old.

The doctors performed thoracic surgery and removed not only the originally detected tumors, but countless other tiny tumors. Our hope was that they were all benign, but one week later the diagnosis was issued. I was suffering from an extremely rare form of cancer, already at stage 4A: Malignant Thymoma.

Treatment needed to begin immediately, so I underwent aggressive radiation therapy for 35 days, while also going through four three-day cycles of chemotherapy (about six to eight hours of treatment per day). I experienced all the usual side effects: nausea, physical fatigue, weakness, hair loss, pneumonia…I was away from school and students for a year and a half.

At the time of the diagnosis and treatments, I was teaching at Trinity High School in Manchester, New Hampshire. It would be impossible for me to explain the myriad ways in which the members of my school community showed their love and support.

I was put on a routine of CT Scans and PET Scans every six months and this continued without event for about four years. And then, in April of 2004, almost exactly four years after my first surgery, my regularly scheduled PET / CT scans showed “a little something”. This time, the “something” was on both lungs, not just the left.

Doctors said they wanted to keep a close eye on it, so I returned, concerned, to the hospital in July for more tests and then again in November. There was at this point no doubt that tumors had returned, and that they were growing. Dr. Fidias was consulted, as were Drs. Choi and Mathisen. Consensus indicated the need for immediate action. Two surgeries, a Left Thoracotomy and a Right Thoracotomy, were scheduled: the first at the beginning of January and the second eight weeks after that.

Cancer, Round Two had begun. I was 35 years old.

At this point I was teaching and coaching at Bow High School, in Bow, New Hampshire. Telling my colleagues and students was, again, one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do. But, just as I had experienced when at Trinity High School, their support and love helped me better manage this difficult and frustrating experience.

Right after the beginning of the new year I left school for my surgery at MGH. Fortunately, the doctors felt confident that they had removed all of the malignant tissue and I was able to avoid another round of chemotherapy or radiation. I was able to focus all my energy on recovering, and I was able return to my classroom in the fall of 2005.

The reprieve lasted until August of 2006 when I noticed what I correctly identified as symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis, a condition sometimes associated with Thymoma. My self diagnosis was confirmed in November by doctors who assured me that the presence of Myasthenia did not necessarily mean that cancer had returned. Unfortunately, the following month we were all shocked when PET and CT Scans showed the appearance of a malignant tumor above my left kidney. This led, of course, to more consultations with doctors, and more conversations with family, friends, colleagues, and students. Cancer: Round Three.

I currently receive monthly deep muscle shots of the hormone octreotide to shrink the tumor and discourage the growth of new ones. When, after 5 months, ocreotide alone didn't achieve the expected results, 30 mg. of predisone daily was added to my course of treatment. Within a few months the size of the tumor had decreased considerably, thus allowing a reduction of the prednisone dosage. This regimen has also resulted in diminishing the effects of Myasthenia Gravis.

My team of physicians at MGH continues to impress me with their sensitivity, awareness and diligence, as they seek new and successful ways to treat my disease. I currently take 10 mg. of prednisone a day and have CT scans every three months to chart my progress.

Symptoms in the spring and throughout the summer of 2009 led to a diagnosis of Pure Red Cell Aplasia, a rare condition which is sometimes associated with thymoma. Taking a new medicine twice a day, making trips to MGH for transfusions every other week, and meeting regularly with a hematologist were all part of the effort being made to address and diminish this condition. Finally, in January of 2010, I spent a week at Massachusetts General Hospital so that I could receive infusions of "Atgam" (horse serum) designed to "kick start" my bone marrow into making red blood cells. The treatment was successful, and I am feeling less tired, dizzy and light-headed than I have for over a year.

In the summer of 2010, after returning from a fantastic trip to France, my symptoms of fatigue, dizziness and lightheadedness began to get more pronounced. We were (unfortunately) correct in assuming that the Pure Red Cell Aplasia had reared its ugly head again! After receiving a few blood transfusions to "tide me over", I was admitted to MGH for another five-day stint of in-patient "Atgam" treatment in late November. As winter turned to spring, we learned that the tumor had continued to grow slowly , despite the monthly Octreotide shots and the daily Prednisone pills, now responsible for the broken bone in my right foot and the muscle tear in my left leg. After consulting with my Oncologist, my Hematologist, my Oncology nurses and other health care professionals at MGH, we decided that I would receive the chemotherapy regimen called "C.A. P." (Cytoxan, Adriamycin, Cisplatin) in August. After a wonderful July full of trips (Aruba, Ireland), BBQs and birthdays, and for once devoid of hospital visits, I began my chemotherapy on 2 August 2011. Unfortunately, the regimen was very strong and had serious, negative effects on my mouth infection and my white blood count. It prompted the onset of Neutropenic Fever, causing me to be hospitalized at MGH for a week. I lost all of my hair and about 15 pounds, but not my fight or my sense of humor! And if you have read this far, it proves that you've got fight too. Thank you for supporting me and all who suffer from cancer by visiting this website.

Recently at MGH we met with some of my doctors to talk about "what's next". I have been in line for one of the new "Phase One Clinical Trial Drugs", but we've come to learn it is a long and complicated process. Waiting could take from one to six months, and once I DID start a Phase One, we'd have to see what the side effects would be. Ascertaining the correct dosage and any apparent results (positive or negative) could take a couple of months.

In the meantime (over the course of the past couple of years) the pain/pressure in my left side has become more "compelling". After consulting with Dr. Mathisen (my surgeon in 2000 and 2005), we have decided to pursue surgery in conjunction with "intra-operative targeted radiation" to be done by radiologist Dr. Choi who oversaw my radiation in 2000. It's been my understanding for years that this tumor is "inoperable", but we learned that while it is impossible to resect the entire tumor, it is possible to "de-bulk" it in certain areas. So, early in January 2012 will find me once again at MGH, continuing to pursue better health.

Cancer has introduced me to an amazing network of healthcare professionals who are as compassionate as they are medically and intellectually gifted. It has allowed me to experience suffering so that I can better understand and empathize with the suffering of others. It has encouraged me to put things into perspective, to live more frequently by the tired but true adage, “life is too short.” It is too short to complain, too short to be impatient, too short to worry, too short to miss opportunities to experience and enjoy. It’s also let me show my students that a diagnosis of cancer does not have to be limiting. This journey has not been one that I would ever choose for myself or for someone else, but it has helped me to grow in personal strength and in my awareness of others. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by selfless, caring, loving friends and family who shepherd me through each of these health care adventues and challenges. I am very, very lucky.

 

In the spring of 2010 I was honored and surprised to be selected as one of Mass. General's the one hundred.