{"id":15708,"date":"2018-05-01T12:59:13","date_gmt":"2018-05-01T18:59:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=15708"},"modified":"2022-06-10T08:11:53","modified_gmt":"2022-06-10T14:11:53","slug":"standout-blood-cancer-joins-family-fight-against-two-cancers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/standout-blood-cancer-joins-family-fight-against-two-cancers\/","title":{"rendered":"Standout blood cancer expert joins family fight against two cancers"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

Family is everything to Evelyn Schwandt.<\/p>\n

During medical checkups, her husband and their two adult daughters come along to provide a cocoon of support.<\/p>\n

\"Cancer
Evelyn Schwandt’s two daughters and her husband have helped her handle the challenge of being diagnosed with two unrleated types of cancer. Photo by UCHealth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Schwandt, 55, has navigated a tough path of first getting a blood cancer diagnosis, then unrelated ovarian cancer, she has found a medical expert who fits right in.<\/p>\n

\u201cLindsey\u2019s like an adopted daughter. She\u2019s part of our family. In the beginning it was scary. I didn\u2019t know much about my blood disorder. Lindsey made us feel comfortable. It wasn\u2019t so scary after talking with her. She\u2019s so kindhearted and warm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Schwandt is speaking of Lindsey Lyle, her physician assistant, and an expert on the rare type of blood cancer that Schwandt is dealing with called myelofibrosis<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Unexplained exhaustion and pain<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Everything had been just fine for Schwandt until about 2 \u00bd years ago. Her husband served in the Air Force for 25 years, working on jet maintenance. The Schwandts loved living around the world, especially their four years stationed in Hawaii near beautiful beaches. They then moved to Colorado Springs where their back yard looks out over open space to a stunning view of Pikes Peak.<\/p>\n

\"Evelyn
Evelyn and Don Schwandt love spending time on the beach. Don served in the Air Force in Hawaii. Photo courtesy of Evelyn Schwandt.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Along with her family, Schwandt loves spending time in her garden with her dog at her side.<\/p>\n

Her first symptoms of any problems were anemia, unexplained exhaustion and swelling in her spleen.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s when she learned she had blood cancer. Thankfully Lyle is an expert in the rare group of cancers known as myeloproliferative neoplasms or MPNs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Creating communities for cancer patients<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Originally, Lyle planned to specialize in pediatric leukemia.<\/p>\n

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Lindsey Lyle, an MPN Hero<\/strong><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a> about Lindsey Lyle.<\/p>\n

See a video.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

From the time she was a little girl, she always knew she wanted to work in medicine. Following a traumatic childhood bike accident, she spent a lot of time in the care of physician assistants, who inspired her to follow in their footsteps.<\/p>\n

After graduating from school and working at MD Anderson in Texas, Lyle learned about the demand for specialists in adult blood cancers.<\/p>\n

\"Patient
Evelyn Schwandt, left, with her physician assistant, Lindsey Lyle. For Schwandt, Lyle is her medical pro and like “an adopted daughter.” Photo by UCHealth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThere was an untapped need for advanced practice providers to learn about these diseases because they\u2019re so rare,\u201d Lyle said.<\/p>\n

A Colorado native, she wanted to return home after practicing in Houston for a few years. She joined UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital<\/a> in 2015.<\/p>\n

Along with providing excellent patient care and doing research, Lyle is a big believer in creating communities. She has emphasized patient education and helps organize live events. The next one takes place on May 5. Partnering with Patient Power, national experts in the MPN field will gather to educate patients and caregivers on the latest treatment and research advances to help patients make empowered decisions about their care. (Click here<\/a> to learn more.)<\/p>\n

Outside of a stem cell transplant, there is no cure for Schwandt\u2019s type of blood cancer.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe try to focus on controlling the disease. Reducing potential complications of the disease and improving symptoms. We try to help her have a good quality of life,\u201d Lyle said.<\/p>\n

And Schwandt is not yet a candidate for a stem cell transplant, Lyle said.<\/p>\n

Lyle was keeping close tabs on Schwandt a year ago when she received a call that concerned her.<\/p>\n

A second unrelated cancer<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Schwandt had been spending time at a Nebraska farm where her husband, Don, now retired from the Air Force, runs deer and turkey hunts each spring.<\/p>\n

\"Evelyn
Evelyn Schwandt with her dog, Cubella. Photo courtesy of Evelyn Schwandt.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The farm sits on prairie with beautiful river bottoms snaking nearby.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nice to get out there with our dog. It\u2019s peaceful and quiet,\u201d Schwandt said.<\/p>\n

She served as the cook, dishing up big meals for her husband and his clients.<\/p>\n

During last May\u2019s hunts, she felt more tired than usual. And her stomach was hurting for two straight weeks in a way that was different than before. Schwandt finished up the hunting season, left Nebraska and called Lyle as soon as she was back home.<\/p>\n

Lyle was concerned and immediately put in an order for a CT scan late on a Friday at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central<\/a> near Schwandt\u2019s home.<\/p>\n

There, doctors found a buildup of fluid, but they couldn\u2019t immediately figure out the source.<\/p>\n

Schwandt decided to follow up with her regular team in Aurora on Monday. As soon as her hepatologist, Dr. Gregory Everson, saw her, he knew she needed to be admitted. She then had to endure nearly two weeks of terrible pain as doctors drained the fluid and worked to identify the cause. The culprit was totally unexpected: ovarian cancer.<\/p>\n

Lyle said there\u2019s no connection between Schwandt\u2019s blood and ovarian cancers. She has searched the literature and found only a handful of other patients who have both. There\u2019s no indication that one type of cancer increases the risk of getting the other. Schwandt just experienced a \u201clousy coincidence,\u201d said Lyle.<\/p>\n

She has been quite healthy, active and upbeat all her life, but unfortunately cancer runs in her family.<\/p>\n

She had no choice but to rally and fight the ovarian cancer too.<\/p>\n

An unexpected outcome<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Schwandt\u2019s ovarian cancer specialist, Dr. Bradley Corr<\/a>, teamed up with Lyle to figure out safe treatments that wouldn\u2019t interfere with Schwandt\u2019s blood cancer.<\/p>\n

They couldn\u2019t do surgery because they worried about excessive bleeding. So they opted for chemotherapy and gave Schwandt a lower-than-normal dose.<\/p>\n

After six months of treatments, remarkably the evidence of ovarian cancer in her body had disappeared.<\/p>\n

Schwandt said Corr was stunned and emotional when he delivered the good news.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was surprised at how well it worked,\u201d she said. \u201cThe cancer is not cured. Sometimes it comes back. But for now, it looks good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, she and her family once again are focused on keeping the blood cancer in check.<\/p>\n

A go-to medical guide<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Throughout her ordeal, Schwandt said Lyle has been an exceptional medical guide and supporter.<\/p>\n

Schwandt was so appreciative that she nominated Lyle for a national MPN Heroes Award that Lyle recently won.<\/p>\n

Schwandt told the judges that Lyle always goes above and beyond.<\/p>\n