Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota
Jenny Bernier
On the day Jenny turned 9 years old, she was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a type of bone tumor. As part of her long-term follow-up care years later, an EKG detected early evidence of a heart problem that was likely caused by the chemotherapy she received. Today Jenny's physicians are managing the problem with medications.
Ryan Ruud
The radiation and chemotherapy Ryan received for his brain tumor at age 12 may have caused some hearing loss in his left ear. And Ryan knows that his experience with cancer was the source of anger and depression for a couple of his teenage years. But today Ryan is finishing college and working as radio station DJ while he launches a media design business.
JonDean Trupe
JonDean was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when he was 2 years old. Even after being treated with radiation and chemotherapy, the blood cancer came back 17 months later. Finally a blood and marrow transplant—along with additional chemo and radiation—put his cancer into remission. Today the 14-year-old deals with a host of medical issues and significant learning difficulties as a result of his treatment, but he and his family refuse to feel sorry for themselves.
Shari VanPuyvelde
When she was a 10-year-old gymnast, Shari was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a type of bone tumor, in her hip. Today she is starting a career as an oncology nurse and dealing with decreased lung function as a result of the chemotherapy she received. She's also monitoring for other late effects that have been linked to her treatments.
The Growing Up After Cancer section of the Masonic Cancer Center Web site was produced by University of Minnesota School of Journalism and Mass Communication graduate student Nicole Endres. The section's medical content was written under the advisement of Masonic Cancer Center member Joseph Neglia, M.D., M.P.H.