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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-09-20, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2000. New treatment gives man a second chance For the Team Dave Bowles of Grey Twp., who recently under­ went stem cell transplant to treat multiple myeloma, volunteered last week to lead this past Sunday’s Terry Fox Run in Brussels. He gives much credit to his wife, Karen, for his recovery. “Anyone who has to go through some­ thing like this should their side,” he said. By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff When Dave Bowles offered to lead this year’s Brussels Terry Fox Run as its Team Member, it was an expression of gratitude. “This event supports cancer research. It's because of research that Dave has anoth­ er chance,” says his wife, Karen. Bowles, a trucker and farmer from Grey Twp. was 42 years old and enjoying good health. Then in May of 1999 he began experiencing severe pain in his ribs. Trips were made to the doctor but suspecting that it may be a farm-related injury nothing was done. Then after a particularly excruciating night, and further complications including blurred vision Bowles made his fourth trip to the physi­ cian. Blood and urine tests showed high protein levels and anemia. Also, pneumonia had set in. He was admitted to the hos­ pital in Listowel where med­ ical staff suspected Bowles may have multiple myeloma. According to information from the Canadian Cancer Society, multiple myeloma is a form of cancer where the plasma cells undergo a change in the bone marrow and multi­ ply faster than normal. These cells reproduce and excrete excessive amounts of a type of protein, which accu­ mulates in the serum and inhibits the production of nor­ mal antibodies. As the cells increase they also interfere with the normal growth of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, causing anemia, infection and bleeding episodes that ultimately lead to bone marrow failure. Unlike cancer cells in the lung and breast, plasma cells only occasionally form solid tumours. Instead it travels through the skeletal system. As the disease progresses plasma cells eventually have someone like her by spread to bones that do not contain the blood cell-produc­ ing marrow. The most common symp­ tom is bone pain particularly in the backbone or vertebrae. Other symptoms include fatigue, abnormal bleeding, repeated infection and gradual weight loss. Though generally consid­ ered an older person’s illness, striking most people who are over 60, multiple myeloma is found in people under the age of 40. “The stats are changing. We had just always figured Dave was never in the stats,” Karen says of her husband. “I’d never been sick a day before,” Dave added. “They say when you are older the disease progresses gradually. Making welfare work. Your success is helping others succeed. But when you're young it’s like going off a cliff. You’re okay, then all of a sudden — bang.” Bowles was transferred to London’s Westminster Campus from Listowel the next day where after being treated for pneumonia he began chemotherapy. Also discussed was the pos­ sibility of stem cell transplant, a procedure which had been done less than 10 times in London. The chemo was done on an outpatient basis. Bowles was hooked to a “power pack” on Monday which released chemo into his system until Friday. This happened once a month until October. “By the end I was hoping it was over,” says Bowles. Though medication has made chemo more tolerable, his legs and face were quite swollen and he was lethargic. “I always knew by Friday it was going to wear me out.” Oct. 16 he had injections of Stemgen and Neupogen in preparation for the stem cell transplant. Home care nurses visited to give the injections. Harvesting the cells, Bowles says, worked like a cream separator. “I lay on the table for eight hours while they drew blood out of one arm, spun the cells out, then put it back in the other arm.” The cells were then frozen. The next month his body was cleansed with two high doses of chemo, then full body radiation for 12 minutes. Then the stem cells were returned to his body. As his immunity dropped he was kept in isolation and took every antibiotic “thrown at him.” Nine days later he was sent home. “Fatigue was the big thing. I could pretty much crawl to the top of the stairs but that was about it. It was a long time to come back. It’s cent of expect. little by little by month, not by day.” Now on pills for bone pain and drugs because of the burnt nerves in his feet, Bowles says the doctors feel he came through the ordeal quite well. “I’m about 80 per . _ where I was before, which it about what I can That’s pretty good.” Mutliple myeloma is incur­ able, but treatable. But with the progress through research Bowles is optimistic. “My hope is that in 10 years they, will have something even bet­ ter to treat me." For now, his condition is continually monitored. “The doctors won't say he’s cancer free. It's under control,” says Karen. Taking to the pavement With the sun shining and cool breezes blowing, residents from Brussels and area hit the trail Sunday afternoon to help raise cancer research funds on the 20th anniversary of the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope. Congratulations to the entire team in Huron County. Since 1995, the Harris government has been reforming the welfare system and the results have been tremendous. The welfare caseload in Ontario has declined by more than 50 per cent and a big reason for this success has been the hard work of people in communities like Huron County Taxpayers demand high standards and the team in Huron County has not only met, but exceeded those standards. Huron County is one of the top 10 communities in Ontario to exceed its work-for-welfare placement target. Placements offer welfare recipients the chance to get practical work experience, skills and the self-confidence to get and hold a job. The efforts of senior management, the caseworkers, and the entire welfare staff are making a huge difference in the lives of many people. Moving people from welfare to work benefits us all. ® Ontario community nurses, whom they say were excellent and to the friends and family who have continually supported and helped them. His decision to volunteer to lead this year’s Terry Fox Run came after “ a little persua­ sion” from Karen. “I had picked up a pamphlet but did- This year’s run nets $3,500 It has been an amazing accomplishment for Brussels and area residents over the last seven years. With people walking, run­ ning and biking, the commu­ nity has raised $32,186.04 including more than $3,500 pledged at Sunday’s Terry Fox Run . - n’t know who to get in touch with,” she says. “When I read in the paper that they needed a Team Member I felt Dave was a real good candidate for this.” “Research is what this run is about. It’s the reason I’m here and I live a pretty good life now,” says Bowles. Marking the 20th anniver­ sary of Fox’s Marathon of Hope, Ontarians raised a record $7.7 million this year for cancer research. With the run now taking place in countries around the world, Canadians pledged $14 million of the total $20 million raised.