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Jennifer Newland’s

Can-Do Spirit

Helped Her Beat

Stage 4 Colon Cancer

Jennifer Newland was working in bed on her Surgery Associates, PC, removed the primary Stage 4 colon CANcer free
laptop one February evening in 2015 when tumor from her colon and affected lymph
she felt an odd sensation in her stomach. nodes. Next, surgical oncologist Jeffrey Three years later Newland continues to be in
“I rushed to the bathroom,” she says. With Brodsky, MD, with LVPG Surgical Oncology, remission. “Stage 4 colon cancer isn’t always
one look in the toilet, Newland knew some- then removed two metastatic lesions from terminal,” Gupta says. “A proportion of
thing wasn’t right – it was filled with blood. her liver. patients, especially those with limited liver
Although bleeding subsided and Newland “Not all stage 4 colon cancer patients are fit disease, do very well and can be potentially
felt fine, her mother, who is a nurse, urged enough to undergo simultaneous surgeries,” cured.”
her to go to the emergency room at Lehigh says Brodsky, “but it’s more convenient and Newland credits her doctors for using a
Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest the next day. After less stressful when we’re able to do every- “whole-person” approach in her care. When
a thorough exam, doctors suspected she had thing in one operation, and patients often
diverticulitis (infection within small pouches have better outcomes.” she gained significant weight during treatment,
of the colon) and suggested she schedule a Overcoming hurdles her medical team suggested she try physical
colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis. therapy at Rehabilitation Services–Bangor
Newland came down with double pneumonia
A few days later as she woke from a colonos- after surgery and was hospitalized for two to reduce possible lymphedema (swelling
copy, doctors informed her she had colon weeks. Once she was discharged she met in the arms and legs from a buildup of
cancer. Further tests revealed she had stage with oncologist Ranju Gupta, MD, with LVPG lymph fluid). Last October, Newland took
4 colon cancer since it had metastasized to Hematology Oncology, who started her on their advice again and underwent weight-
her liver. chemotherapy right away. loss surgery with bariatric surgeon Richard

“I’m a single mother, and my daughter was “Every two weeks for six months, Jennifer Boorse, MD, with LVPG General, Bariatric and
only 16 at the time,” says Newland, then 43. received an intravenous chemotherapy Trauma Surgery. Since then she has dropped
“It was obviously quite a shock.” regimen called FOLFOX, a combination of 123 pounds, down from 315.
Facing stage 4 colon cancer head on three drugs that shrink tumors,” Gupta says.
Newland, who is involved with Sistah Chat Despite some side effects, including nausea, “My doctors and staff at LVHN never treated
Radio (a show that empowers women), fatigue and dry mouth, she made an effort me as just an organ,” Newland says. “They
decided to empower herself. “My motto to live as normally and fully as possible. cared for me from top to bottom. I’m cancer- The Morning Call
throughout my treatment became ‘I CAN She continued campaigning for political free, I’m healthy, and I’m living – all because
with CANcer,’” she says.“I CAN go to work, candidates, spent extra time with family they made me feel special and never, ever
I CAN live life, I CAN be normal – I CAN do and friends, enjoyed nature and even went gave up on me. I truly believe I’m here be- |
anything I want with CANcer.” zip-lining during her chemo treatments.
cause of their support and encouragement
Newland first underwent surgery to remove “This experience taught me you can still give and the quality of care I received. I will never
cancerous growths in her colon and her to your community and help people, but go anywhere else.”
liver. Working as part of a team, colon-rectal it’s OK to give to yourself and take time to Thursday, April 8, 2021
surgeon John Park, MD, with Colon-Rectal appreciate everything around you,” she says. — Sidney Stevens

LVHN.ORG | 888-402-LVHN (5846)
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