Attitude makes the difference
Staff writer
Manuel Kuchda has cancer. He was diagnosed with lymphoma, an incurable cancer of the lymph system, in 1997 and has taken chemotherapy almost every month since.
Kuchda has always had a physical in November. His first warning signs were when he had night sweats and started losing weight. When his doctor got the results of his blood tests, they found out he was anemic. He had had some bumps on his neck for three or four years, and combined with the other symptoms and the anemia, the doctor decided to do a biopsy. The biopsy results showed lymphoma.
"It's one of those things that I should, I guess, have been more persistent about," said Kuchda about the bumps on his neck.
"When the doctor first tells you have cancer, it's like a death sentence," said Kuchda. "But after a while, I decided that this cancer was going to be an adventure. Now, it's just part of my life routine."
"He has a good attitude," said Adeline, his wife.
There are 10 types of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. According to Kuchda, he has a low grade stage four lymphoma, which is slow growing.
"If you're going to get cancer," said Kuchda, "this is the kind to get. With this kind you could live 11 to 15 years."
Kuchda has been on three or four types of chemotherapy and visits his oncologist, Dr. Dakhil of the Cancer Center of Kansas at the Axtel Clinic in Newton, monthly for the three-day stint of treatment.
The first day of treatment he is given an anti-nausea medication for 20 to 30 minutes, then the two different chemotherapy drugs. The second and third days he takes the anti-nausea medication, then one chemotherapy drug.
At first he took chemotherapy in his arms, and it ruined his veins. Now Kuchda has a porta-cath that allows the drug to be administered more easily.
The first two weeks after he has taken chemotherapy Kuchda is tired and generally doesn't feel well.
"On the third week, I feel so good, I feel like I don't even have cancer," he said.
Kuchda and his wife take advantage of those times.
"We know when my good times are, and that's when we travel. We work around the cancer," Kuchda said. "We've been on cruises and to Europe. Sometimes the doctor will extend my chemo one week, but no longer. We try to live a normal life."
Kuchda's positive attitude helps him live his life to the fullest, accept the cancer, and support other cancer patients. Sharing with other people with cancer, talking, and giving support is something Kuchda says has helped him.
"It makes a big difference when you've got good support from your wife, friends and family, and neighbors," he said. "I've been on prayer lists, it takes all these things. Anyway, you never know, you could be walking down the street and get hit."
