In honor of Linda Bird
Linda Bird’s flu-like symptoms would not go away, even after several courses of antibiotics. Her doctors could not figure out why until finally one of them found a mass near her nasal passage. The initial diagnosis was sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma. “They told me it was terminal,” she says.
But after meeting with doctors Julian Rosenman, Neil Hayes, and Mark Weissler at UNC Lineberger, her prognosis brightened. They found that she had Epstein Barr virus, which is associated with a different type of cancer—nasopharyngeal carcinoma cancer. “Once they found that out, Dr. Rosenman told me they could cure me,” she says. The tumor was too large to operate on, so doctors used 35 radiation treatments and different chemotherapies to shrink the tumor.
Linda says, “My husband, Joe, provided love, patience, compassion and devoted care. Our family and friends were so gracious with cards, flowers, visits, phone calls and prayers. They are very much appreciated.”
The former basketball player, teacher, coach and principal says, “Remember your prayers to Jesus. Only He holds your future in His hands.”