Word: crossley
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...surgery and the misery of chemotherapy is the nightmare of every patient. When this happens, the outlook is grim. But in recent years doctors have been experimenting with a controversial treatment for advanced and recurring breast cancer that involves massive doses of chemotherapy and a bone-marrow transplant. Annette Crossley, 45, of Glendora, Calif., is hoping it will save her life. Crossley suffered a cancer relapse just a few months after completing a course of treatment that included a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. Given slim odds of survival, she chose to try the new treatment at the University of Chicago...
Such high-dose therapy is perilous. Until the transplanted marrow replenishes the patient's supply of white blood cells, she is highly vulnerable to infection. Jacob Bitran, Crossley's oncologist, believes that the procedure is worth the risk. He and his associates have treated 67 advanced breast-cancer patients in this manner over the past four years. Though 11 have died of complications, mostly infections, 16 are in complete remission, seemingly disease free. "That means 1 in every 4 is a long-term survivor," he says. Others are not persuaded. "I am not convinced that we have the benefits...
...Annette Crossley, cost is not the main concern. Slowly regaining strength, with little hair left on her head, she remains a picture of hope. "This is the caterpillar stage," she says, grinning gamely, "the ugly stage before the butterfly comes...