Through a Mother's Eyes:: The Ups and Downs of a Cure

By Dorothy E. Sims

"...I believe this information will help many parents be prepared for the unknown, and assist in letting them know that their experiences are not unique. In Through A Mothers Eyes: The Ups and Downs of a Cure, essential information on the process, not just the detailed medical information, will help to guide many parents through an unthinkable journey. Throughout the 14 chapters, Dorothy provides candid descriptions of the challenges she faced when her young daughter was diagnosed with leukemia and suffered a subsequent relapse, the toxicities of the treatments, the difficulties of navigating the health care system, and real life problems intruding through (including a house fire and threats of losing ones job)...All of these shared experiences are invaluable for those who will be exposed to these similar situations."

Kara Kelly, M.D.
Professor of Pediatrics
Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplantation
Columbia University Medical Center
New York, New York

According to Childrens Hospital of Philadelphias 2013 Childhood Cancer Awareness Infographic: Every year 11,600 children under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer. Every year 1,310 kids will die from their disease. Each year about 4% of government funding on cancer research is spent on childhood cancer.

A portion of the proceeds from the book sale is going towards cancer research at CHOP.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 26, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496949783

Dorothy E. Sims

Dorothy E. Sims earned a Master’s Degree in Arts and Cultural Management from Rosemont College. As a Robert McKee’s Story Seminar Alumni she is published in the 16th, 17th, and 18th Moonstone’s Art’s Center’s Annual Poetry Ink Book. Dorothy is a playwright. She co-authored, performed, and toured with original musicals. The reader is invited to witness the devastating physical and psychological effects of chemotherapy my daughter experienced and to see how through the medical team, prayer, and faith she was healed. In West Philadelphia born and raised Dorothy resides in the Wynnefield Heights section of the city with her sister Carolyn Sims- Nesmith. She is the proud mother of Ebony Rose and Joi Victoria Turner. She is a member of Sharon Baptist Church and serves on the Public Relations Ministry which provides food and clothing to families in need. She is also in the Drama Ministry where her play, “Hear My Cry” and her vignettes were performed. The Drama Ministry mentors youth via drama. As a member of the historic Freedom Choir of Philadelphia for over 40 years, Dorothy’s roles included: alto/tenor; actor; writer/cowriter; executive producer; and Public Relations Director. Dorothy retired from 31 years at Verizon Communications and is an independent contractor with NORC at the University of Chicago, and WESTAT an independent research firm; conducting interviews for government research projects. She also works part-time as a Standardized Patient (SP) for Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA and Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU) in Camden New Jersey. In April 2013 Dorothy portrayed a nurse in an educational video for Penn Presbyterian Hospital showing patient’s what’s expected when visiting the Emergency Department.

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© 2014 Dorothy E. Sims. All rights reserved.

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Published by AuthorHouse 11/25/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4969-4979-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-4978-3 (e)

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Contents

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Through A Mother’s Eyes:

The Ups and Downs of a Cure

Chapter I   The Beginning

Chapter II   7 East

Chapter III   Visit From First Lady Hillary Clinton

Chapter IV   Disclaimer

Chapter V   Episodes

Chapter VI   Tools For Survival

Chapter VII   CNS Relapse

Chapter VIII   The Fire

Chapter IX   Ronald Mcdonald Camp

Chapter X   The Make A Wish Foundation-Disney World!

Chapter XI   Returning To Work And Keeping My Job

Chapter XII   Returned Visit To Disney World!

Chapter XIII   The Last Chemotherapy Treatment

Chapter XIV   Multidisciplinary Cancer Survivorship Clinic

Sources Used

Cancer Resources

About The Author

Acknowledgements

I must first acknowledge my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for His grace and mercy. Without Him this project would not exist. In loving memory of my parents; Laura and Deacon Robert Lee (Senior) Sims, and to Aunt Rose Sims for always believing in me and telling me to write this book. Thank you to my loving family and friends for your prayers and support to make this book happen. To my first born Ebony Rose Turner, I thank you for your constant encouragement when others doubted me. To my friend Warren Gilmore thank you for being there for us and encouraging me to write it just like it happened. My good friend Janice Roslyn Jenkins, thank you for your sound advice as a published author. From Verizon; Elizabeth Conwell Norman thank you for sharing your spiritual advice as a published author. Thank you, Sabrina Umpstead- Smith, for allowing me to include your inspirational story. Rho Reed, Public Relations Director at Sharon Baptist Church thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and continued support for this book project.

Dr. Kara Kelly, you told us what to expect from the chemotherapy, what we needed to do and you were always on point. I am forever grateful to you for taking time to write the astounding foreword to this book. Your dedication to find a less toxic cure for childhood cancer is amazing. You will never be forgotten. Thank you to the knowledgeable and compassionate medical staff at Children’s Hospital Of Philadelphia. (CHOP). Dr. Audrey Evans I thank you for your encouraging words. After our conversation I immediately started writing this book. Dr. John Maris, leader of the first ever Pediatric Dream Team and Dr. Lamia Barakat, PhD, Director of Psychosocial Services, saying you support this project and your well wishes encouraged me to bring this book to completion. From the Medical Records Department past and present; and to Barbara Bayton and staff thank you for cordially providing space for me in the congested Medical Records Room at the Wood Building. Thank you for addressing my concerns Rachel D. Salis-Silverman from the Public Relations Department and Linda G. Lightner from the Marketing Department at CHOP.

To Fern Reiss, the Publishing Game Queen thank you for sharing your knowledge and for your encouragement.

Herbert H. Ragan IV, Audio/Visual Archives Tech at National Archives and Records Administration, William J. Clinton Presidential Library, I thank you for your assistance. Although you said you were just doing your job, you went the extra mile to identify the photographer Ralph Alswang, who took the Official White House photo of First Lady Hillary Clinton, other dignitaries, my daughter, and patients. Wes L. Leroy for encouraging me and the AuthorHouse Publishing Company Team, thank you. To anyone else who helped to develop this book I thank God for you.

Foreword

Through A Mother’s Eyes:

The Ups and Downs of a Cure

Tremendous progress has been made in the treatment of childhood cancer, such that today more than 75% can expect to survive greater than 5 years, and greater than 90% of children with certain cancers such as the more common types of leukemia and lymphoma will be cured. Today, more than 1 in every 1000 young adults is a survivor of childhood cancer, impressive statistics, considering how cancer was nearly always hopeless, only 40-50 years ago.

Yet despite these statistics, a diagnosis of childhood cancer is life shattering in so many ways. Cancer treatments still rely much too much on toxic treatments, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which lead to much suffering in both the short and long term. Despite improvements in supportive practices to help children manage these side effects, the approaches are not as effective as we need them to be. Cancer treatments are disruptive to the extended family, with time away from work, school, social events and other children. And even in diseases with a good prognosis, no treatment is 100% effective, as the reasons for why one child responds favorably, whereas in another case, the cancer comes roaring back, remain so very elusive, despite the extensive research efforts underway to better realize the heterogeneity observed. No life is ever the same after a close family member or friend is touched by childhood cancer.

This desire to make a difference – whether it be by developing better treatments that would cure more children in a less toxic way, or finding better ways to support the child and his or her extended family during such challenging times, is what drew me to the field of pediatric oncology over 20 years ago. This field is unlike any other – as a pediatric oncology physician, I get to care for children during the most acute, difficult times, yet also frequently get to see them grow up and gradually reintegrate into the lives that they need to live. Seeing so many children be cured of their illness, graduate from high school or college, mature into productive adults, and begin to raise their own children, brings joy in an almost indescribable way. And for those children for whom I am not able to help them attain those goals – the challenges are so significant, that I know that I need to push on.

The author’s daughter, Joi, was one of my early inspirations. I met Joi at the young age of 2 ½ years old when she was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. I was so impressed by what a champion her mother, Dorothy Sims, was and continues to be for Joi, and now for other children diagnosed with cancer. Even with the threat of the leukemia resurfacing during Joi’s initial treatment, Dorothy did everything she needed to do, which I know played such a large part in Joi being the survivor she is today. I remember the feeling of satisfaction I gained by attending Joi’s 5th birthday celebration, but I have even greater satisfaction in knowing that Joi celebrated her 23rd birthday this year.

Dorothy has now turned her efforts to be a champion for all parents that are now finding themselves in her situation, to some extent. By sharing her experiences, the good and the bad and everything in between, I believe this information will help many parents be prepared for the unknown, and assist in letting them know that their experiences are not unique. In Through A Mother’s Eye’s: The Ups and Downs of a Cure, essential information on