Joni Grandin - “Laundry in Hand”

Joni Grandin, Raleigh, NC

Thirty-eight-year-old, Canadian born Joni Grandin originally thought she had bronchitis. Her doctor prescribed antibiotics and told her that it would take two to three weeks after completing her prescription before she would feel completely okay.

When she still did not notice any improvement, she began another round of antibiotics. It didn't seem to help. She also began having pain that circled the right side of her waist. The pain was so intense that she found herself walking with her hand on her side to try to alleviate the throbbing. Many of her friends had contracted a lingering illness, requiring several rounds of antibiotics to feel better, and she thought that she was experiencing the same thing.

But when she became abnormally short of breath just from going up and down a flight of stairs, she knew something wasn't right.

Her doctor ordered a variety of tests that detected cancer in her lung, spine, and hip. Many of her colleagues in the medical field - Grandin is a physical therapist - suggested that she get a second opinion, and she was referred to Dr. Mark Socinski at UNC Lineberger.

After arriving at UNC, Grandin began a clinical trial for a drug called Tarceva® (erlotinib). "I noticed a difference within a week or two after starting the trial," she said.

Prior to starting the trial, Grandin had to stop every two steps when going up a flight of stairs. And she dreaded arriving at the top because her ascent always ended with a severe coughing fit. "Now, however, I'm walking up steps carrying loads of laundry in hand," exclaimed Grandin.

After she began the clinical trial, Dr. Socinski called her at home to see how she was doing. "The doctors and staff have been great, so nice, so understanding. If there's a problem, I've got their work numbers, their pager numbers."

To cancer patients, she offers this advice - stay positive, and if people are willing to help you, let them.