Cancer Patient Stories

Patient Stories about cancer

October 8, 2018

UAMS Physician Establishes International Guidelines for Treating Castleman Disease

Linda Haymes

Frits van Rhee, M.D., Ph.D., a myeloma researcher and clinician at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, recently led an international medical team in establishing treatment guidelines for Castleman disease, a rare disorder of the lymph nodes and related tissues.

LITTLE ROCK — Frits van Rhee, M.D., Ph.D., a myeloma researcher and clinician at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), was lead author on a recently published paper that for the first time establishes treatment guidelines for patients with a form of Castleman disease, a rare disorder of the lymph nodes and related…


September 27, 2018

Myeloma Diagnosis Amid National Tragedy Solidifies Patient’s Gratitude

Linda Haymes

In 2001, myeloma patient Janis Bendinger of Philadelphia, was set to fly to UAMS in one day in September for treatment. But amid her own personal crisis, a national tragedy of historic proportion erupted the day before - the 9/11 attacks.

A severe backache 17 years ago led to Janis Bendinger being diagnosed with myeloma. Then living in Philadelphia, she was referred to UAMS for treatment. But amid her own personal crisis, a national tragedy of historic proportion erupted the day before her flight. “I was supposed to fly from Baltimore to Little Rock on Sept….


September 17, 2018

UAMS Partners Card Offers Shoppers and Diners 20 Percent Discount at More Than 250 Locations

Linda Haymes

LITTLE ROCK – Calling all shoppers! More than 250 shops and restaurants in central and northwest Arkansas and Conway will offer discounts Oct. 26 – Nov. 4 with Partners Card, a fundraising project of the volunteer auxiliary of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).


August 16, 2018

Patient Finds Humor in Hairy Situation

Linda Haymes

Eric Ruschky and his wife

“My primary care physician called me in and asked me if I knew a good oncologist,” said Eric Ruschky, 70, of Columbia, South Carolina.


July 27, 2018

Subaru, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Blanketing Cancer Patients with Love

Linda Haymes

UAMS Myeloma Institute recently received blankets from the Arkansas division of Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Subaru of Little Rock through the nationalwide Subaru Loves to Care initiative.

July 27, 2018 | Patients of the UAMS Myeloma Institute were recently wrapped in additional care and comfort, thanks to the nationwide Subaru Loves to Care initiative by the vehicle manufacturer in partnership with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.


June 20, 2018

Maumelle Man Diagnosed Twice with Head & Neck Cancers

Katrina Dupins

Brendan Stack, M.D. with patient John Foster

June 20, 2018 | As John Foster prepares for a summer of travel and merriment, he and his wife, Rebecca, are happy they have made health a priority. Eleven years ago, Foster felt a lump in his neck while shaving. He said at first he thought little about it, assuming it may have just been…


May 31, 2018

Recovery from Acute Leukemia Gives Teacher Something to Celebrate

Susan Van Dusen

Allogeneic stem cell transplant recipient Dottie Lobbs (center) joined her physician, Muthu Veeraputhiran, M.D., (left) and husband Mike Lobbs at the first-ever UAMS Cancer Institute's Celebration of Life.

May 31, 2018 | It was the summer of 2015 and Dottie Lobbs should have been enjoying her summer break. Instead, Lobbs, a special education teacher at Glen Rose High School in Malvern, was experiencing such severe fatigue that she knew something was wrong.


May 29, 2018

Retired Lieutenant General Faces Prostate Cancer Head-on at UAMS

Susan Van Dusen

Retired Army Lieutenant General George Crocker is back to his active lifestyle after undergoing successful radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

May 29, 2018 | George Crocker is up to just about any challenge. A retired Army lieutenant general, Crocker spent the good part of his life defending his country both at home and abroad. From two tours in Vietnam to serving as commander at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington, Crocker made a lasting mark through…


March 19, 2018

Invasive Colon Cancer Caught Following Primary Care Visit

Katrina Dupins

Blake Pond with his daughter, Caroline, and wife, Ann.

March 19, 2018 | In the summer of 2016, Stuttgart native Blake Pond, 36, moved back to his home state after living in Dallas for 16 years. He, his wife, Ann, with their infant daughter, Caroline, wanted to be closer to family. So Pond accepted a position as chief of staff at the UAMS Myeloma…


January 18, 2018

Clinical Trial Promising for Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Katrina Dupins

Jan. 18, 2017 | Eighteen years ago, Gail Clayton received news that changed her life. Looking back, she says finding out she had breast cancer marked the beginning of new perspectives. “When I was first diagnosed with cancer, it wasn’t the end of life as so many people think. To me, it was the beginning…



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