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4- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, December 22, 1998 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Wilma figh battle rare caricery By Barb Weatherall Special to the Star ilma Seeney's on her way back. It was January of 1997 that an emergency appendectomy done here in Port Perry disclosed an unusual cancer. Surgery and chemotherapy at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto gave us the name of it: Peritoneal Mesothelioma. Unfortunately, our Canadian health sys- tem had neither the expertise nor the equipment to deal with this little-known cancer. Accepted at the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan, New York, Wilma came under the care of the team of oncol- ogist Dr. Robert Taub -- active in retire- ment only for "high fatality" cases -- and abdominal specialist Dr. John Chabot, one of the two top abdominal surgeons in the U.S. After managing the cases of 22 participants in an experimental protocol for mesothelioma, he is currently the world's leading expert on the condition. Over this two year period, Wilma has undergone no fewer than 16 very serious operations. Following the appendectomy, three surgeries dealt with the removal of cancer; the remaining 12 addressed the body's subsequent failures due to inten- sive chemotherapy. Such can be the insid- ious evil of cancer: that its destruction almost necessitates the death of its host. Each procedure has been undertaken reluctantly by both Wilma and her hus- band Brian and their surgeons, as these repeated surgeries created extensive scar tissue. The tissue clouded the scans designed to reveal any continuing growths. Ultimately, Wilma's abdomen had been cut open too often to allow for the skin and tissue to meet together, closing the incision. The frustration! ... Knowing the cancer to be undetectable (presumably destroyed) yet being left with organs that, if normally comparable to latex, were now more the texture of over-cooked spaghetti. The fear! ... After 10 months without "covered only with mesh, for months. With food, still getting nutrients via a feeding tube in her neck, knowing the ingestion of as much as a piece of orange juice pulp could burst her bowel yet again. The pain! ...Not just from chemotherapy and surgeries, but further, the repeated infections from gastro-intestinal breakdowns, lead- ing to the repeated surgeries for repairs, finally leading to an abdom- inal incision required to be left open, The loneliness...Canada's lack of knowledge of this condition, com- bined with health care cuts both here and in the U.S., meant that not only could Wilma not be treated at home, but also that the full-time nursing care she required must be provided by her hus- band, Brian. Sleeping for weeks in a recliner chair in his wife's hospital room, Brian has been providing 24-hour care to change dressings, assist with medication needs, monitor machines, and alternately chide, coax, encourage and praise his patient. Over two years, the only daily excite- ment Brian and Wilma have enjoyed is to check any new notices posted her room and x-ray. As an intimate friend of both, I can attest to the fact that once upon a time they couldn't agree upon the deco- rating of a Christmas tree. God has obviously blessed Columbia Presbyterian; it's still standing. The responsibility! ... Knowing that the 69 days he'd been able to put in at work this year wouldn't qualify him for Employment Insurance, Brian returned to Canada earlier this year in an attempt to get back to work. Otherwise there would be no home to which Wilma so desperately wished to return. He'd planned to commute, weekends, by bus. Circumstances proved him unable. How well we, their family and friends, remember that weekend that an internal staple broke loose, severing Wilma's carotid artery. Brian looked up to see blood dripping from saturated sheets. It required surgery. So much for commuting. Brian stayed put. There'll be no E.I. at layoff time this year. This brings to light a little- known weakness of Canada's health care system: While OHIP indeed picked up the tab for Columbia Presbyterian and medical care because Wilma couldn't be treated at home, these people are at risk of losing all. The years of working hard, raising a family, and contributing what they could along the way could all disappear with a real estate sign on the front lawn. 'with pain, fear frustration and loneliness We think that occurs only in the States; that only the American system allows health tragedy to create financial tragedy. Not so. Ultimately, the weakness! ...The ups and downs, the uncertainties, the exhaus- tion and then the months of internal exposure surrounding the incision seri- ously reduced Wilma's resistance. Despite the prayer, faith and her determination and fight to return to the family that needs her, Wilma's body simply couldn't handle any more, and we were in serious danger of losing her. A dedicated and hardworking wife and mother, daughter, sister, aunt and Nana, local daycare mom to many, valued employee of Home Hardware, Beckers, IGA and above all, my very dearest friend and soul-sister... this two year nightmare couldn't end this way. Thus it was that we appealed to you, her community, and you responded with notes, letters, cards and donations. A point 'of great discussion was a card signed "An admirer." Unfortunately the envelope (bearing a return address) was lost, so it's hoped this Admirer will write again. Another came from residents of Toronto (with $100) who felt they undoubtedly met Wilma in one of her several positions in Port's retail outlets as they passed through, heading to their cottage. An e-mail address for "The Friends of Wilma" cast a net as far as Britain, New Zealand, Italy and the U.S. Eventually, Wilma's medical team concluded that only the calculated gamble of closing of her abdomen would save Wilma with Dr. John Chabot and her husband Brian in her New York hospital room. their patient's life. Consultations with a plastic surgeon brought renewed hope. The initial operation proved. that the many prior surgeries had left Wilma with insufficient blood circulation. But two weeks later (spent flat on her back with a "mid-surgery" incision on her leg) on Nov. 10, the go-ahead was given to lift a 12 by 6 by 1-inch thick slab of flesh from her thigh to be grafted onto her tummy. The next step required a commitment of cooperation between the health care systems of Canada and the United States -- no mean feat, but trust our Wilma to break new ground -- from Columbia Presbyterian to Oshawa General to Port Perry's Dr. Brown. This resulted in one more surgery to implant a new main feeding tube, shipped from Canada, allowing for our metric system, to connect the feeding supplies. Wilma's abdomen was closed with no sign of attendant infection. We had the equipment to feed her right here at home, and Christmas is just days off. Hallelujah. They're coming home. The phone lines hummed with calls and faxes. OGH arranged for Wilma"s legally required quarantine, friends and family cleaned house and cooked up a storm. All this was done in preparation of that plane coming in, Saturday, at 2:26 p.m. Meanwhile, in Manhattan, the tears flowed, the balloons flew and, after the unofficial appearance of some rather expensive champagne (Santa, no doubt), possibly the best send-off of all was that of Dr. John Chabot himself, who I under- stand was overheard to say "Now get your butt out of my hospital." Much remains in front of Wilma, including a minimum of two further surgeries, regular trips to Manhattan for scans and ultrasounds, and the challenge of coming back to regular food. The future is certain to contain further pain, fears and fatigue, we yet all prefer to focus on the joy of today and of a Christmas to spend with one who simply refused to quit, and wouldn't allow us to either. From myself and, I'm sure, all those who know and love her, I send my heartfelt thanks to the doctors and staff of Columbia Presbyterian for giving me back my very bestest friend. Our local Laurentian Bank holds an account open for the Seeneys (#1998-1) and donations (and cards) can also be mailed directly to them at 439 Bay Street, Port Perry, Ont. LL, 1M7 or send your regards by e-mail to seeney@idirect.com Barb Weatherall is a close friend of Wilma and Brian Seency. TENA BRE Ne funh sig ok