
Michael and Corie Yutkin got the chance to meet up with their Mentor Angels in Washington, D.C. last month.
Brain cancer is an exceptionally tricky disease to treat, presenting several significant challenges. And with approximately 24,000 people diagnosed with it each year, there is a pressing need for funding that can increase research that will lead to effective treatments. This is one mission of Brain Cancer Awareness Month, held in May.
For Michael Yutkin – who is currently fighting a recurrence of brain cancer after surviving glioblastoma multi-form grade IV in 2012, and his wife, Corie – this mission is personal.
“Brain cancer has a very grim diagnosis, and with a disease like this, the medical world and scientists need to fast track research and treatments. Obviously, there are so many cancers out there worthy of funding, but this is the one we need to fight for, because it is affecting our family,” Michael says.
Brain cancer also presents a set of unique challenges that can make both effective treatment and good quality of life difficult to attain. The brain/blood barrier limits the ability to successfully administer chemotherapy to the brain. Additionally, the brain is not easy to biopsy because it is not readily accessible, which can compromise test results.
And because the brain controls so many different areas of the body, brain cancer often has a serious impact on daily life; tumors can affect everythingfrom motor skills to emotions. Those diagnosed with it also often have a hard time being around crowds and in other environments where there is a lot around them to process, as brain fatigue can cause overstimulation.
While these realities canseem overwhelming, Michael and Corie have taken a positive, proactive approach. They are involved with the National Brain Tumor Society, and they sit on the planning committee for the Orange County Brain Tumor Walk. Next week, for the third year, they will participate in Head to the Hill, for two days dedicated to lobbying Congress on the issues the brain cancer community faces.
They have also been connected to Imerman Angels since Michael’s initial diagnosis in 2012, learning of the organization through a friend who knew founder Jonny Imerman. The couple got to know Jonny first and found the idea of one-on-one cancer support comforting. They were each matched up with a Mentor Angel – a cancer survivor for Michael and a caregiver for Corie.
“We are very private people, so talking to someone who gets it, versus having to explain it, really helps,” Corie says.
The couple have given back by becoming Mentor Angels themselves for a number of fighters and caregivers.
“There are not many survivors of my cancer that live a long time and do well, so whenever Imerman Angels asks us to mentor, we are happy to do it,” Michael says.
The experience has been rewarding for the Yutkins in more ways than one. They were gratified when some of their mentees reached out to offer support in the wake of Michael’s recurrence, and they have found the process of mentoring beneficial as Michael goes up against cancer a second time.
“My inclination is to nurture others, so providing support and helping others makes me better able to deal with Michael’s diagnosis,” Corie says.
A scan discovered Michael’s recurrence of brain cancer in November 2015, and he is currently undergoing treatment, consisting of radiation and chemotherapy. The couple retains the fighting spirit that saw them through the first bout of the disease.
“We try to live our life with a glass-half-full attitude. Our kids were five weeks old and 17 months old when Michael was diagnosed and they do not know he is sick. We do not live our lives in fear or denial of cancer. Instead, we focus our energies on the important, positive stuff like family. We believe someone has to beat the statistics, and that Michael is one of the people who will,” Corie says.
I will certainly add Michael and your family to my prayers. Our daughter was diagnosed with gbm a month after her 21st birthday in May of 2012 and had surgery followed by proton radiation and a year of Temodar. She was able to qualify for the DC-Vax clinical trial and completed that successfully a little more than a year ago. I agree that we desperately need to highlight the need for more funding, research and better access to clinical trials for patients diagnosed with brain cancer. Unfortunately, after hearing this diagnosis, unless you have a very proactive neuro oncologist and strong medical team, they may not even tell the patient that clinical trials are available or other supplements that you might be able to try.
I wish you all the very best and hope that the next round of treatments provide long lasting remission. God bless you all.
Brain tumors can, and do affect the patient, caregiver, and their family in so many ways. Whether malignant or benign, the treatments are the same, and they can leave long term deficits of the both the body and the spirit, not to mention the financial devastation that so often accompanies such a serious illness. Research dollars are needed now to help find more effective treatments. I’m so glad the Yutlin family shared their experience, thank you. My wife fought brain tumors for twelve years before succumbing to the disease, but that doesn’t mean anyone else needs to. It’s funny, but all the time that my wife battled, she was my rock, my hero, and she allowed researchers to take samples of tissue to use for study. I wish you all the best, and let’s hope the research dollars begin to grow.
I’m a 5 1/2 year GBM survivor. I was diagnosed in 2011. I have signed up to be an imerman angel but no one has contacted me regarding help or just to chat. If you are interested in speaking or hearing my story you can email me at shilburg@MSN.com. I’m a 40 year old female and I just a baby 7 months a go. Susan
HELLO BRAIN CANCER WARRIOR
I AM JAMES AUSTE FROM THE PHILIPPINES! A BRAIN CANCER WARRIOR SINCE 1996!
LAST DECEMBER WAS DIAGNOSED AND TREATED FOR BASAL CELL CARCINOMA
I AM 20 YEAR BRAIN CANCER SURVIVOR
IN 2011 SUFFERED 18 SEIZURE AND WAS IN COMA FOR 5 DAYS
AND FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS LIVING ON REPLACEMENT TO SUSTAIN MY LIFE
SO JUST CONTINUE THE WAR! CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY FOR LIFE
WE WILL BEAT THE STATISTICS
INGAT(TAKE CARE) GODBLESS
JAMES AUSTE
BRAIN SKIN CANCER WARRIOR
PHILIPPINES
MENTOR
GOD IS GOOD!
Keep up the Great attitude, you both an example of ” Turning a Lemon into Lemonade” 🙂 We need those who have beaten the odds to share their trials & tribulations to inspire & strengthen others. May you find many moments of Peace & Joy in the coming days, weeks & months ahead.
PAT
Many thank to Rick for helping me fight my cancer; i was so nervous to start the treatment, good work of cannabis oil and its miracle healing.
In January 19th 2014 i was diagnosed with brain tumor when the doctor told me it was already too late for me, that i have few months to live all hope was gone. I contacted Rick on his email: rickcannabisoil1@gmail.com i ordered through him, he instructed all the benefits and encourage me to use the medication. I was on treatment 8 weeks which was the required treatment plan for me.
In 2015 JUN, I went through several test and to God be the glory my cancer was not found there anymore CANCER FREE. I have been cured with Rick Simpson cannabis. You can contact him directly via email: rickcannabisoil1@gmail.com
I and my house hold will eternally be grateful to you. God bless you
That’s a smart way of looking at the world.