CURE COMMUNITY
Radiation risks explored by Congress
BY KATHY LATOUR | FEBRUARY 27, 2010
I am spending a few days in Washington,D.C., with Suzanne Lindley, the founder of YES, who is here to testify before the subcommittee on health. Since a series documenting radiation treatment errors in The New York Times earlier this year, there has been an ever increasing call for federal oversight into issues of accreditation and training for those who dispense radiation therapy. Suzanne, a 12-year survivor of metastatic colon cancer, is here with the Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance to advocate for the benefits of radiation, which has added to her life.
Diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in 1998 and told to go home and wrap up her life, 31-year-old Suzanne decided to try the new drugs emerging before giving up. In 2004 she was close to death and out of options when a friend told her about Selective Internal Radiation Therapy, where small beads of radiation are sent to the tumors directly. Within six months of receiving the treatment, she had a 65 percent reduction in her tumors.
Suzanne is an amazing advocate. She founded YES for any patient with cancer in their liver to provide information and support, and for someone who used to hide from college classes that required she speak in front of the class, she can now keep an audience spellbound.
She reminds me of one of the gifts of hanging out with cancer survivors. You get to see what courage, hope, and faith really look like. You'll be reading more about Suzanne in the summer issue of CURE.
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Suzanne is a gift to many and my hero! I would most likely not be alive had it not been for her support. She ROCKS! I can't wait to read your story.
- Posted by Tina Schaeffr 2/27/10 3:04 PM
I'm so glad that CURE has found Suzanne. She is the nation's best kept secret for HOPE and inspiration! She has many, many inspirational stories to tell and is a phenomenal writer. I hope that she will share her journal/writings in a book one day very soon! I blogged today about her bravery and inspiration, in fact ... at www.HealthyandFitAfterCancer.com
- Posted by Pam Schmid 3/1/10 1:38 PM
Suzanne Lindley is an amazing person that shares her story to help provide HOPE to others with cancer. YES has brought people together that may have never met, and enabled them to share their stories of Hope also. When your feeling down, Suzanne can put a smile on your face. She reminds you that your living and thriving in spite of cancer. I'm glad to call Suzanne my best friend. I'm also proud of everything YES stands for.
- Posted by Tami Thennis 3/1/10 4:48 PM
Suzanne Lindley is one fantastic lady! She is HOPE, she is LOVE, she is STRONG. Suzanne has helped so many people through out the country. YES is awesome and helps so many people dealing with cancer. I admire Suzanne so much. She is a joy to be around always has a smile no matter what she is going through. If you need a shoulder to cry on or a shoulder to laugh on Suzanne is your Woman. I'm so glad I can call Suzanne my friend.
- Posted by Jane Ali 3/1/10 7:14 PM
Through her organization, YES, Suzanne is a tireless advocate of hope, help, and support for so many. She promotes much needed communication and education to survivors. Suzanne is an inspiration to myself and many others. I look forward to reading your story about this remarkable woman and her contributions.
- Posted by Mellenee Finger 3/2/10 6:27 PM
That's our mom!
- Posted by Karlie and Katie Lindley 3/2/10 9:16 PM
What in the world can I add to these comments? Absolutely nothing except "Amen". Yes, she is one in a million, yes, she has helped (and probably will continue to help. Yes, I have learned soooooo much from her, and I do not have cancer. So very often I hear a remark and I think "How would Suz answer this?" Now, my husband is LIVING with Multiple Myloma, notice I said "LIVING with". There, that is how our Suz would describe it! When I hear someone remark about getting old, I remember Suz saying, "I hope everyday to be able to say that." She is my bestest friend and I love her!
- Posted by Loretta Baker 3/3/10 12:36 PM
This inspirational woman, Suzanne Lindley inspired me to find the proper treatments for my stage IV colon Cancer. She is a true gem with a sweet, quiet southern appeal, yet works tirelessly for others because of what she has been through.
Her example of living with cancer instead of dying with cancer changed my life and inspired me to look for more options that included getting a special surgery that greatly prolonged my life and may have given me a cure.
I don't know another like her. Suzanne Lindley is my hero!
- Posted by Jennifer Weir 3/3/10 4:51 PM