Greek mythology and a French philosopher seem unlikely sources of inspiration when it comes to battling cancer, but they serve Swampscott resident Jerry Miller quite well.

"Every day you have to push the rock up the hill like in the myth of Sisyphus," Miller says. "Albert Camus wrote that Sisyphus made himself harder than the rock. You have to mentally decide that you want to live and that you're going to deal with the cancer."

Miller was diagnosed in January 2003 with multiple myeloma, a rare form of blood cancer. The diagnosis came after an MRI revealed broken ribs and two broken vertebrae, a result of the cancer attacking his bones. The next month, Miller began radiation treatment at the North Shore Medical Center's Cancer Center in Peabody under oncologist Dr. Steven McAfee, who also practices at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center.

In June 2003, Miller had the first of two stem cell transplants that were done using his own harvested stem cells. Dr. McAfee performed the transplants at MGH, which has a close collaboration with NSMC.

Discussing stem cell treatment, Miller said, "Stem cells do not kill the cancer. A ton of chemotherapy - as much as you can bear - does. Stem cells go right into where the cancer was in the bones and start manufacturing white blood cells because [after chemo] your infection-fighting cells are so low."

Since a second stem cell transplant in June 2004, Miller's cancer has been in remission.

"Cancer is such a devastating thing," Miller explains. "It's painful. It makes you so tired. You have to have people around you that will unselfishly help you. To feed you. To go to the drug store. Just to do the little ordinary things that have to be done - every day, all the time."

That support came primarily from Miller's wife, Ryna Shimmerman.

"My wife works at Eastern Bank, where she's a mortgage broker. During the time I was most sick, it was an especially busy time in the mortgage business. Somehow, she managed to keep her business together and still take care of me," he said.

Being treated at the NSMC Cancer Center was another important source of support for Miller.

"We are blessed beyond belief to have the quality of doctors and quality of staff at the NSMC Cancer Center," he said. "They are unbelievably great. They really take care of you in every department. I see all types of people at the Cancer Center - all races, families, daughters bringing in mothers. And everyone seems to have the same experience of loving and trusting their doctors."

A major source of support for the NSMC Cancer Center comes from the annual NSMC Cancer WALK, which will take place Sunday, June 25, in Salem. Individuals, corporations and civic and religious groups of all types participate in this community event, including Miller's wife's employer, Eastern Bank, which has been involved as a sponsor and coordinator of a large team since the WALK's inception in 1991. This will be Eastern Bank's second year as the WALK's presenting sponsor.

With bones severely weakened from his cancer and treatments, Miller is not well enough to walk in this year's Cancer WALK. But this event, the largest single-day event on the North Shore, will surely be on his mind.

"If I could do the Walk, I would," Miller said. "Instead, I'd like to encourage everyone who can to participate or at least donate to the cause so that people like me and others from all around the North Shore can continue to receive the same level of great care at the Cancer Center."

To register for the 6.2-mile NSMC Cancer Walk or to make a donation, visit www.nsmccancerwalk.org. You'll receive fundraising tips, learn how to create a personal fund-raising Web page and, most importantly, help the NSMC Cancer Center continue its quest to provide the most advanced cancer care.

Walkers can also register on the day of the walk starting at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, June 25, at Salem Willows Park. The walk goes down Fort Avenue and through Salem, proceeds to Salem State College's O'Keefe Center and continues on Derby Street before finishing again at Salem Willows Park. Free parking is available, as well as buses and shuttles to the various sites.


Article courtesy of Swampscott Reporter