Expert Care Help Couple Hit Landmark Anniversary
In their 50 years of marriage, Levita and Sheldon have had their share of good times and bad times. But perhaps their greatest challenge so far has been Levita’s battle against pancreatic cancer. Fortunately, the Northbrook couple has a rock-solid support system, as well as some of the nation’s best doctors and nurses, helping them along the way.
"Another Hospital Wanted to Give Up on Me"
Levita and SheldonBack in September 2006, Levita was suffering from chest pain and backaches that didn’t seem to get better. Then a CT scan revealed that she had a mass in her pancreas--most likely, pancreatic cancer. Levita and Sheldon went to a major teaching hospital in Chicago, only to be told that Levita’s cancer was beyond treatment. "They basically told me there as nothing they could do and that I had less than a year to live," Levita says. "And that was just unacceptable to me."
So the couple made an appointment with another oncologist, who told Levita she looked "gutsy." The doctor recommended the University of Chicago Center for Gastrointestinal Oncology, where doctors are experts in treating pancreatic cancer. Levita made an appointment to see Hedy Kindler, MD, medical director of gastrointestinal oncology.
Right away, Levita was impressed with Dr. Kindler’s hopeful approach. "Dr. Kindler said to me right in the beginning that she had a loaded bag of tricks--meaning, she had a lot of options and she wouldn’t give up on me. She has made me and my family feel like we were in the right place."
Redefining Nursing Care
Hedy Kindler, MDDr. Kindler and other doctors devised a care plan for Levita that would begin with chemotherapy. She enrolled in an innovative clinical trial developed by Dr. Kindler, which combined several novel targeted agents with a standard chemotherapy drug. Starting in November 1, 2006, Levita began receiving weekly chemotherapy treatments at the University of Chicago.
Over time, she began to develop a close bond with fellow patients--even finding time to joke around occasionally. "We line-danced in the hospital one day," Levita laughs.
In addition, Levita and Sheldon became close with fellow Dr. James Wallace, research nurse associate Pam Lofton, and the nurses at University of Chicago, including Elia Martinez. "I went in there knowing nothing about chemotherapy," Levita says. "But Elia told me to take her hand and said she would help me get through this. And she’s helped me for more than 14 months. Elia is everything you think a nurse should be--plus. She and two other nurses, Diane and Helene, do it all for me while I’m there. I can’t praise them enough."
At the end of 2007, Levita and Sheldon celebrated a marital milestone--their 50th anniversary. Naturally, they marked the day with a party for family and friends. Staff at the University of Chicago also wanted to help the couple celebrate their golden anniversary. When Levita and Sheldon came to the hospital during the week of their anniversary, the nurses and doctors serenaded the happy couple and presented them with a cake. "We couldn’t believe it," Levita says.
Surviving Through Superior Care and Support
For the last 14 months, Levita has received chemotherapy regularly. Until recently, this treatment has helped keep her cancer under control. Now, her treatment team is trying another option to fight her pancreatic cancer: a clinical trial of a pancreatic cancer vaccine developed at the University of Chicago.
Like many cancer patients, Levita has found ways to cope with her illness. "It’s a hard road," she says. "Some days, it would be so easy to stay with my head on the pillow. But I try to go to the gym one day a week. I also try to get to the beauty shop every week to keep that sense of normalcy."
When asked what advice she would offer to other patients, Levita says this: "Make sure you have doctors who believe in you. Also, it’s really important to have advocates and a support system. There were times when I was too confused to ask questions, but my husband or one of my daughters was there to help. They have all given me strength. And that’s what it takes."
As Levita embarks on a new treatment plan with the vaccine, she remains hopeful and continues to fight. "I want to make it. I am going to do everything I can to make it," the determined patient says. "The people at the University of Chicago have really given me hope. They are a great team for me."
