Michelle's Story

My father, Seneca White Ottey, was diagnosed with Stage 4 esophageal cancer in August 2010 and given 9-12 months to live.  What made it so surprising was that he was very healthy; his only symptoms were occasional hiccupping and burping after eating.  At his annual exam, he mentioned these symptoms to his physician, who then ordered an endoscopy.  The test located a 3 cm tumor on his lower esophagus and lymph node involvement.

Princeton Radiology in NJ and Fox Chase Cancer Center in PA coordinated care, which consisted of 25 radiation treatments, which he tolerated very well, followed by chemotherapy (both infusion and oral tablets) from January to May 13^th, 2011.  He experienced neuropathy in his hands and feet, as well as low white blood cell counts, as side effects of the chemo drugs.  In June 2011, test results showed the tumor had shrunk to about 2 cm and there was no cancer in any other areas!  The treatments were working and we were all very hopeful. Seneca was considering surgery to remove what was left of the tumor.

 

In July we celebrated Seneca’s 60^th birthday with a surprise party.  He looked and felt great, and was very optimistic about the future.  In mid-August, following an unrelated hernia-repair surgery (and in the middle of Hurricane Irene no less!), he experienced severe head pain and was brought to Robert Wood Johnson Memorial Hospital.  There he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer metastases to the brain (which doctors said developed within just a few weeks time), fell in to a coma, and never recovered.  On September 1^st, just over his 12 month prognosis, he passed away surrounded by his family.

I often wonder, ‘What if he had reported his symptoms earlier?’, ‘Did we do enough to help him?’, ‘Is there even treatment available for cases like his?’.  I do not have many answers, but I do know this:  my father fought incredibly hard, without complaining or being bitter, and amazingly kept a positive attitude.  I like to think that he passed away unaware of the brain metastases, believing fully that he was fighting and beating his cancer.  It frustrated him that so little is known about esophageal cancer and so little is being done to bring awareness or find a cure.

That’s where I’m stepping, make that running, in.  I want to finish the battle that he started.  My dad will never get to meet his grandchildren, walk his other daughter down the aisle, see his son excel in his career, or grow old with his wife.  Let’s prevent other patients from that same fate.

I am planning to have two events that will raise awareness of this disease and generate funds for research projects that the Esophageal Cancer Education Foundation are supporting.

The first event will be a concert to be held on April 27th at the Wild Wing Cafe in Wilmington North Carolina. The evening will be complete with door prizes, a silent auction, and a 50/50 drawing. The entertainmet will be provided by THE Design a Band that we have known for years.

I will also be running in the May 20, 2012 Run for the Dream Half Marathon in Williamsburg, VA. Please make a donation in my father’s honor and for all those currently fighting or who have lost their battle.  You can donate per each of the 13.1 miles that I run, or a flat amount.  All tax-deductible donations go directly to ECEF to help accomplish their three missions:

• Bring awareness and educate the public and medical community
• Walk the journey with patients
• Financially support research projects that focus on the development of an early warning test

Thank you wholeheartedly for supporting me.

- Michelle Ottey Urban

Total Donations Raised: $9,981.00 

 

The Foundation received its 501(c) (3) IRS designation as a charitable organization and therefore making the donations that it receives fully tax deductible to the donor.