Rhonda Rhodes of Annapolis rejoiced three weeks ago when she heard the results of her latest round of breast cancer treatment. The cancer that had returned in February and spread to her brain, lungs, kidney, skin and lymph nodes has responded to the radiation and chemotherapy.
Although she still has a tumor around her kidney, it shrank, and there is no evidence of other tumors, Rhodes said.
The news has not quite ended the roller-coaster ride that started when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2006. After she had a double mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy, Rhodes thought she had beaten cancer.
"It never dawned on me that it would come back," Rhodes said.
Rhodes sought solace this year among a group of women like her who have Stage IV breast cancer - cancer that has metastasized to other parts of the body. Formed last year at Anne Arundel Medical Center, Compass has been helping women who feel lost once their breast cancer diagnosis becomes terminal.
"Women who have metastatic breast cancer are really outsiders looking in," Rhodes said. "We're battling this for the rest of our lives."
Compass has grown to 28 members and this week succeeded in pushing for more recognition for women who feel they are being passed over for medical research dollars that are being concentrated on screenings, prevention and early-stage treatment. Gov. Martin O'Malley and Annapolis Mayor Ellen O. Moyer issued proclamations making Oct. 13 Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day in Maryland and Annapolis. They join 23 cities and six states and cities that have done the same.
Compass will hold a fundraiser Nov. 20 to start a metastatic breast cancer research fund that can be used to help prolong women's lives. Members hope that what they call "BC mets" will be treated as a chronic condition that can be controlled by a cocktail of drugs, much the way those who are HIV-positive are treated, said Dian "CJ" Corneliussen-James, co-founder of Compass.
Corneliussen-James said that the group hopes to raise $100,000 to $150,000 in the next few years to donate to young researchers who are struggling for money.
Corneliussen-James, 57, said Compass was founded in November 2007, for late-stage breast cancer patients who feel uncomfortable speaking at breast cancer support groups. Many don't want to discourage those with early-stage breast cancer. In some cases, breast cancer groups have asked metastatic breast cancer patients not to come, she said.
