Life Beyond Cancer
Four Cancer Survivors Share Their Inspiring Experiences
Story by Rod Drake and Jennifer McDonnell
Photography by Karen Johnson and Patrick Wirtz
Nevada Cancer Institute (NVCI) has a team of the very best oncologists, researchers and scientists who have dedicated their work to one goal: reducing the burden of cancer. However, one of the strongest weapons in the fight against cancer is the strong personal will of the patients. Here, four NVCI survivors share their personal and inspiring stories about their battles and their experiences at NVCI.
Martha EspositoMartha Esposito most certainly would never be described as a shrinking violet. The 61-year-old is facing her cancer head-on, with a good dose of laughter and love.
“My friends and family have helped me keep my positive attitude,” she said. “I never realized how much people care about me. I was truly humbled by the outpouring of love and concern and the efforts people made to help me.”
Martha was diagnosed with cancer of unknown primary (meaning it is unclear where the cancer originated) in February 2007. Biopsies showed that her lymph nodes all the way up her neck were filled with cancer.
Her NVCI oncologist, Phillip Manno, M.D. put Martha on a course of chemotherapy and, later, radiation under the care of Anita Pomerantz, M.D. While the treatments appear to be successful in the lymph nodes, Martha was recently diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
She doesn’t see her latest diagnosis as a setback—anything but. “We are always going out on the town,” she said referring to her husband, Joe.
Martha, formerly a professional children’s photographer, chose to turn the camera on herself to document her cancer journey. She remains active and keeps in touch with family and friends through email and by posting her photos on the Internet.
“I made the emails story-like and let everyone know what was going on in my mind, and I would try to see the humor in things,” she said.
