Cancer Patient Shares Amazing Survival Story

A Maryland man and his wife are calling what happened to them at Monongahela Valley Hospital nothing short of a miracle.

The wife had been given only six months to live but a news segment and a cancer surgeon changed all of that.

Cindy Russell says every hospital she went to, every doctor she spoke with gave her a death sentence.

At one point, she prepared to mail her Christmas cards early thinking she would not be around for the holidays but now Cindy and her husband Neil are looking ahead to the future.

It's been a long and frightening road for Neill Russell and his wife Cindy.

They call it their journey.

Back in march, 52-year old Cindy was diagnosed with liver cancer.

Doctors from some of the nation's best cancer centers, including Johns Hopkins and the Mayo Clinic told Cindy her cancer was terminal and that she only had six months to live.

But, the Russells never gave up hope.

Cindy related what happened next: "My mother-in-law was watching KDKA-TV 2 and that's when she found Doctor Canady," she recalled. "So, we contacted Doctor Canady and that very night he called us back and he wanted to see me."

Cindy's mother-in-law was watching a story KDKA did back in April.

Clinton Rhodes, 78, a liver cancer patient was also told there was no hope.

It turns out Cindy's mother-in-law knew Rhodes.

"I've know him for years and also he lives a quarter of a mile from me," said Selma Russell. "Right after that program… I'll back up. He said that Doctor Canady saved his life. He had liver cancer. They told him the same thing they my daughter-in law -- go home and die. So anyhow I called him immediately and I spoke with him and his wife and within ten minutes Doctor Canady called me."

"He looked at me and said 'Cindy, I can do something for you' and that's when I started crying because he finally gave me hope when there was no hope and I love him," said Cindy. "I really love that man."

"Every patient that I get a call from, and I get them from all over the country, I am their last resort," said Dr. Jerome Canady. "They have already been operated on two or three times."

Cancer had taken over 75-percent of Cindy's liver.

Doctor Gene Manzetti worked right along side Doctor Canady.

During Cindy's surgery, Doctor Canady used one of the instruments he invented.

He completed his fellowship at Yale University and UPMC under Doctor Thomas Starzl.

He has also studied in Japan and Germany.

He says what he does with 3D imaging and digital mapping is the wave of the future.

"Currently she is cancer free," said Dr. Canady. "Her liver function tests, her bilirubin, they are all normal and they were abnormal when she came to us."

"There is nothing worse than not having hope," said Cindy's husband Neill. "We found hope at this little hospital and in a man named Dr. Canady and I just want people to know who are searching like we did… because it's horrible. There is a hospital and there is a doctor in this little valley who can save lives."

Eight days after surgery Cindy was released from Monongahela Valley Hospital.

"God brought that doctor to her. He knew just what doctor to bring and I am thankful for him," said Cindy's mother Olive Pulaski.

Source:kdka.com