Ed McNamara Undergoes Experimental Treatment
Painless Bumps On Front Of Politician's Neck A Warning Sign
POSTED: Monday, March 3, 2003
UPDATED: 11:24 am EST March 4,
2003
Ed McNamara has returned from New York where he was supposed to have undergone an experimental treatment for a rare form of cancer.
But things didn't go well in New York. McNamara was only there 12 days.McNamara, 76, was diagnosed with cancer in his 
lymph nodes, Local 4 reported.The former Wayne County Executive discovered bumps on his neck, which prompted him to go to a doctor. It's just three months since McNamara was diagnosed with lymphoma, but he said he already he feels better."It's just amazing. I haven't felt this good probably in a year," McNamara said.In December, on the very day he retired after 41 years in public office, doctors gave him the diagnosis. He had mantle cell lymphoma, a rare cancer.He opted to take part in a highly risky protocol at the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.But just days before he was to receive the powerful radiation treatment, he learned the experimental drugs were contaminated. They had crystalized and were not fit for use.Disappointed, he returned home and started CHOP, a combination of chemotherapy drugs at the University of Michigan's Comprehensive Cancer Center.(Read More About CHOP by clicking here.)Depending how McNamara handles the chemotherapy, he'll return every 21 days for the next 18 weeks, doctors have told him.Following the chemotherapy, he said he instantly felt better."I'm just amazed what it's done. The swelling from my legs is gone. I feel all kinds of energy," he said.When he talks to doctors, he's afraid to ask how much time he has or if the treatment will work."They just don't know. A lot of this stuff is experimental and and they're not sure how it works," he said.McNamara had symptoms of cancer for more than a year before he finally mentioned them to a doctor.He had painless bumps on the front of his neck and endless sweating on the back of his neck.(Find out more: Lymphoma Symptoms
Lymphoma Clinic Page)
But things didn't go well in New York. McNamara was only there 12 days.McNamara, 76, was diagnosed with cancer in his lymph nodes, Local 4 reported.The former Wayne County Executive discovered bumps on his neck, which prompted him to go to a doctor. It's just three months since McNamara was diagnosed with lymphoma, but he said he already he feels better."It's just amazing. I haven't felt this good probably in a year," McNamara said.In December, on the very day he retired after 41 years in public office, doctors gave him the diagnosis. He had mantle cell lymphoma, a rare cancer.He opted to take part in a highly risky protocol at the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.But just days before he was to receive the powerful radiation treatment, he learned the experimental drugs were contaminated. They had crystalized and were not fit for use.Disappointed, he returned home and started CHOP, a combination of chemotherapy drugs at the University of Michigan's Comprehensive Cancer Center.(Read More About CHOP by clicking here.)Depending how McNamara handles the chemotherapy, he'll return every 21 days for the next 18 weeks, doctors have told him.Following the chemotherapy, he said he instantly felt better."I'm just amazed what it's done. The swelling from my legs is gone. I feel all kinds of energy," he said.When he talks to doctors, he's afraid to ask how much time he has or if the treatment will work."They just don't know. A lot of this stuff is experimental and and they're not sure how it works," he said.McNamara had symptoms of cancer for more than a year before he finally mentioned them to a doctor.He had painless bumps on the front of his neck and endless sweating on the back of his neck.(Find out more: Lymphoma SymptomsLymphoma Clinic Page) Copyright 2006 by ClickOnDetroit.com.
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