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Vol. 66, No. 2 2015
Northeast Florida Medicine
Letter from the Copy Editor
To Our Readers:
I have been the Copy Editor for the Northeast Florida Medicine Journal for only a few
months, working with Kristy Wolski, the Managing Editor. I have had the opportunity
to learn more about the ever-changing and demanding field of medicine, its ups and
downs, and tragedies and triumphs with each issue.
I was drawn to this issue, Pediatric Oncology, from a personal standpoint.
Let me take you back a decade…
I was a seventh grader in geography class when I got the news. I was a big sister for
the second time, this time to a brother. Sitting through classes that day, I was picturing
what his future held, as he would grow up with two sisters. Of course, we would have
him play dolls and tea parties with us, but we were tomboys too – tree houses, hunting
and mud pies weren’t out of the scene.
Later that evening, our world was turned upside down – based on a single x-ray. The
nurse on staff questioned his breathing and was persistent with doctors until the x-ray
was ordered. It revealed a smoky mass in his tiny ribcage. The doctors got a second
opinion. Their response was an immediate life-flight to a larger care facility in Fargo,
North Dakota. Less than 12 hours old, he took his first flight – setting us up for a
string of atypical childhood firsts.
After a few days of observation, the smoky mass was determined to be a tumor. A biopsy ensued. From that day forward, my
family received little blessings of “right place, right time.” While his biopsy slide was sent to the lab and labs across the nation, we
waited. It didn’t take long as Dr. Nathan Kobrinsky, MD happened to be one of the doctors to view his slide. He knew immediately
what it was, asked to speak to my parents and then broke the news. My brother was diagnosed with Stage 2 Neuroblastoma cancer.
Chemotherapy and radiation treatments would start the following day.
The month went by quickly, with ups and downs. My baby brother was finally cleared to go home for the first time shortly
before the Christmas holiday. Over the next few months, he endured four rounds of chemotherapy, two rounds of radiation
and then another, final surgery. The doctors successfully removed the tumor.
Without the support of friends and family, the wonderful care of all the nurses, flight staff, lab technicians and the handful
of doctors we worked with throughout the process, the outcome may have been much worse. My family has been very thankful
every year as test results continue to come back negative – my brother has been cancer-free for 15 years.
The technology to fight this horrible disease has become more advanced in the years since. My brother continues to meet
other patients (in treatment or remission), passing along a shoulder to lean on or gentle words of encouragement. He has
become friends with many people nationwide and has participated in a handful of fundraisers to bring more awareness to
Pediatric Oncology. I am proud to have a brother as a survivor and wanted to provide you, our readers, with a story of hope
and perseverance in this ever-changing field.
v
Thank you,
Carrie Bethel
Copy Editor, E&M Consulting, Inc.
Cole Bethel, 1 month old, while undergoing
1st round of Chemotherapy
