Fall 2006 - Karmanos Cancer Institute

Looking
FORWARD
CANCER ISN’T STOPPING DANIELLE NOLL
FROM PLANNING HER FUTURE.
DANIELLE NOLL
“I went to the gynecologist for a routine
visit in June 2006 and was surprised to
learn I had cervical cancer. I had no idea
anything was wrong.
“My gynecologist referred me to Dr. Robert
Morris at the Karmanos Cancer Institute. At
the time, I thought
my gynecologist was
being a little dramatic
– sending me to
Karmanos – but that
was just me being
in denial. The truth
was: I had cancer and
I needed to take it
seriously.
“I immediately liked
Dr. Morris. He was very confident about my
situation and explained all my options. I
was especially interested in this new, minimally
invasive procedure he told me about
[fertility-sparing radical trachelectomy] that
would enable me to still have children
someday. Some of the other options, like a
hysterectomy, would have obviously interfered
with my having kids. But I’m young
and, like most women, I’d like to get married
and have children someday –or at least have
the option.
“That’s one of the things I’ve
learned from all this – that
I’m stronger than I ever
knew I was...emotionally,
physically and mentally.”
“So I chose the minimally invasive
procedure. I didn’t realize just how
innovative and new the procedure was
– that I’d be the first woman in the area
to have it! But I had all the confidence in
the world in Dr. Morris and my Karmanos
team; they are the
very best.
– DANIELLE NOLL
“The procedure went
well. Just five small
incisions instead of
a big open incision.
And, really...there
was no pain.
“To be safe, Dr.
Morris recommended
a short course of
chemotherapy after the surgery. I’m halfway
through it now, but I’m holding up great.
I lost my hair, but that’s OK. I’m still
working. I’ve never really felt sick. Every
once and a while I get tired, but I was able
to do a 3.1 mile cancer walk just a week
after my second treatment!
“That’s one of the things I’ve learned from
all this – that I’m stronger than I ever
knew I was...emotionally, physically and
mentally. Thanks to everyone at Karmanos,
I’ve learned I’m a survivor.”