Scott Stirling

Mr. Stirling is a 53-year-old Canadian, alive 27 years since developing Hodgkin’s disease. In January of 1971, Mr. Stirling noticed a swelling on the left side of his neck.

He consulted his local physician who believed the lesion to be a benign cyst, and no additional evaluation was recommended.

Over the following year, the swelling fluctuated in size. Finally, when his neck enlarged dramatically in June of 1972, Mr. Stirling returned to his doctor, and was admitted to Reddy Memorial Hospital in Toronto. Mr. Stirling subsequently went to surgery for removal of the presumed cyst. However, the mass proved to be a matted collection of cancerous lymph nodes, fifteen of which were found positive for nodular sclerosing Hodgkin’s disease.

Mr. Stirling was transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital for further study and treatment. Serial X-rays of the mediastinum (mid-chest) showed no evidence of metastatic disease, but additional X-rays confirmed extension of cancer throughout the pelvis, described in the radiology report as ". . . filling defects and dilated intranodal and peripheral sinusoids in the paraortic nodes on the left. These changes are typical of early involvement by Hodgkin’s disease."

A bone scan demonstrated abnormalities in the pelvic region consistent with metastases, summarized as: "Increased deposition of activity in the left side of the pelvis and the left sacroiliac joint. Appearance suggests the possibility of an abnormality of this site."

A liver-spleen scan revealed an enlarged spleen, and a liver infiltrated with tumor. The records describe: "Appearances on the anterior and right lateral scans are strongly suggestive of the presence of a space occupying lesion located in the anterior right lobe (of the liver) — There is also poor concentration of activity within the left lobe, suggesting the presence of an extensive infiltrating lesion. The spleen is moderately enlarged."

The standard six-month, six-cycle MOPP chemotherapy protocol was recommended. After agreeing to the treatment plan, Mr. Stirling received his first round of MOPP as an inpatient on June 30, 1972. He tolerated the chemotherapy without significant side effects, and was discharged from the hospital in early July. But after the second course of drugs, Mr. Stirling developed severe weakness, fatigue and anorexia. He did eventually recover, and returned to the hospital for a third round of MOPP in late August. While being treated, Mr. Stirling again became very ill, and insisted the chemotherapy be stopped. At the time of discharge several days later, he was told he most probably would not live a year.

Mr. Stirling then began a long automobile trip through the United States. In September of 1972, while staying with friends in Arizona, he quite by chance learned of Dr. Kelley’s work. Several days later, he was on the road again, heading for Dallas and an appointment with Dr. Kelley. Within a week, Mr. Stirling had begun the full Kelley regimen.