Essay for the James "Rhio" O'Connor Memorial Scholarship
By Rachael Grosz, BME junior
I am
fortunate to say that I have never been personally acquainted with
cancer. However, most all of my recent community service is related to
raising awareness for breast cancer. I am an active member of Zeta Tau Alpha
Fraternity, whose national philanthropy mission is Breast Cancer Education and
Awareness. In ZTA’S partnership with Yoplait and the Save Lids To Save Lives
program, my sorority chapter, Iota Theta, of Georgia Institute of Technology,
has been the top collector of Yoplait lids. This movement has helped donate
more than 100,000 dollars to ZTA’s philanthropic mission. While walking around
our university’s campus, my sorority sisters and I hand out reminders for women
to get their annual mammography. We also host games with our athletic department
called “Think Pink” or “Pink Out”, where we dress in all pink and promote
awareness for breast cancer. I have enjoyed participating in these events
because of the amount of fulfillment and knowledge I gain. I also believe that
working with my sorority sisters sends a strong message across campus and
accentuates the importance of working together to find answers and ultimately,
a cure.
Celebrities such as Angelina Jolie and Christina Applegate have undergone double mastectomies in order to fully prevent their breast cancer from developing. There are also countless other men and women who have undergone this process and what is most striking about Angelina and Christina is that they are women who are idolized for their physical beauty and sensuality. They have decided that comes second to their health and family. For anyone having a double mastectomy is a life changing decision, and portrays a personal desire to take control of one’s health and life. On a personal note, my Aunt Diane, recently found two tumors located in her brain and through researching her options and by having excellent medical care and advice, she was able to finish her doctorial in law studies. She continues to work and travel around the world.
Celebrities such as Angelina Jolie and Christina Applegate have undergone double mastectomies in order to fully prevent their breast cancer from developing. There are also countless other men and women who have undergone this process and what is most striking about Angelina and Christina is that they are women who are idolized for their physical beauty and sensuality. They have decided that comes second to their health and family. For anyone having a double mastectomy is a life changing decision, and portrays a personal desire to take control of one’s health and life. On a personal note, my Aunt Diane, recently found two tumors located in her brain and through researching her options and by having excellent medical care and advice, she was able to finish her doctorial in law studies. She continues to work and travel around the world.
My father, who I
look up to greatly, is a neurologist and has suffered from a severe heart
arrhythmia. He has undergone two surgeries that were unsuccessful, and yet
continues to be the best medical professional he can be. Then there is James
Rhio O’Connor, who is diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma due to his exposure
to asbestos when he was younger. For Mr. O’Connor surgery was not an option and
radiation therapy would provide his body with more harm rather than benefit.
Chemotherapy would only increase his life expectancy by a few months at best.
With this dire prognosis, Mr. O’Connor rejected this type of therapy despite
medical professionals who gave him one year to live. Instead of giving up, he
became master over his own care.
Focusing more on James Rhio O’Connor, he was diagnosed in 2001 with pleural mesothelioma. The disease is a cancer of the mesothelial cells, which cover the outer surface of internal organs and form a lining called the mesothelium. The cancer is commonly developed in tissues that cover the lungs or abdomen and have a strong link to occurring with exposure to asbestos, such in Mr. O’Connor’s case. This exposure causes mesothelioma, by breathing in microscopic asbestos fibers or swallowing them. When this happens the fibers cause biological changes that cause inflammation, scarring and possible genetic damage. The most susceptible part to these fibers is the lining of the lungs, otherwise known as the pleura. Fibers can also be trapped in the abdominal cavity. In Mr. O’Connor’s book They said months, I Chose years: A Mesothelioma Survivor’s Story, he details his story of surviving mesothelioma for seven and a half years by leading a life of self-sufficiency, faith and confidence. (http://www.survivingmesothelioma.com/rhiooconnor.cfm) James Rhio O’Connor’s story is inspiring to me because he outlived the one year that medical experts gave him and took control of his situation. If given one year to live, most people would be overwhelmed with fear and anticipation and yet Mr. O’Connor decided to go ahead and conduct his own research on pleaural mesothelioma. He did this with primary and secondary resources as well as came up with his own therapeutic therapies.
Focusing more on James Rhio O’Connor, he was diagnosed in 2001 with pleural mesothelioma. The disease is a cancer of the mesothelial cells, which cover the outer surface of internal organs and form a lining called the mesothelium. The cancer is commonly developed in tissues that cover the lungs or abdomen and have a strong link to occurring with exposure to asbestos, such in Mr. O’Connor’s case. This exposure causes mesothelioma, by breathing in microscopic asbestos fibers or swallowing them. When this happens the fibers cause biological changes that cause inflammation, scarring and possible genetic damage. The most susceptible part to these fibers is the lining of the lungs, otherwise known as the pleura. Fibers can also be trapped in the abdominal cavity. In Mr. O’Connor’s book They said months, I Chose years: A Mesothelioma Survivor’s Story, he details his story of surviving mesothelioma for seven and a half years by leading a life of self-sufficiency, faith and confidence. (http://www.survivingmesothelioma.com/rhiooconnor.cfm) James Rhio O’Connor’s story is inspiring to me because he outlived the one year that medical experts gave him and took control of his situation. If given one year to live, most people would be overwhelmed with fear and anticipation and yet Mr. O’Connor decided to go ahead and conduct his own research on pleaural mesothelioma. He did this with primary and secondary resources as well as came up with his own therapeutic therapies.
As a division one
cross country and track athlete and student studying biomedical engineering, I
am extremely motivated by these personal obstacles. It is difficult for me to
train every day, travel every weekend for competitions and more so, find the
motivation to keep running at times. On top of the fact Georgia Tech is an
extremely rigorous university, I never realized going to school and studying
biomedical engineering would be one of the most difficult things I ever tried
to accomplish. I am truly inspired by these stories because of the fact they
help remind me that hard work and persistence pay off and even more so there is
an incredible amount to be appreciative for. If I were given such a dire cancer
prognosis the foremost important thing would be to find a way to emotionally
accept it. I would take time for myself in order to look at options available
for treatment. It would be critical to get a second opinion from medical
professionals about what treatments would be the most beneficial. One thing
that stood out in a video I watched about cancer survivors was that most
brought someone close to them when going to doctor appointments. This was done
in order to avoid the risk of forgetting what questions the patients had to ask
and so that they could feel more comfortable. With that being said, I would
make sure to write my questions down in order to ask health professionals as
well as take notes. I would do my best to not let myself get pressured into
choosing a particular treatment option but instead choose a treatment that I
felt the most comfortable with. Deciding on what I want out of treatment would
be equally as important. When first diagnosed, the most important thing would
be finding a cure and if a cure were possible I may be willing to endure more
short-term side effects in return for a chance of survival. If my cancer were
in a later stage, a factor of importance would be control. I may look into a
treatment that would shrink or stop my cancer from growing. Finding a treatment
that would be comfortable and as little pain as possible would be my main
priority.
The most popular
types of treatment known for cancer are radiation, chemotherapy and surgery.
However each treatment has its own side effects and risks. If using one or a
combination of either of these options would cure me or control my cancer I
would choose this as a treatment. However if using one of the treatments posed
me at risk I would certainly look into other options available. After doing
research on The Cancer Cure Foundation’s website, they have pages on alternative
therapies to go along side with chemotherapy, radiation or surgery (adjunctive
therapies) or therapies that serve their own purpose. Adjunctive therapies are
used in conjunction with other therapies and include detoxification, specific
vitamin and supplements, water therapy and nutrition balancing. There are many
other therapies such as electronic therapies, herbal extracts, plant products,
immune system boosters, mind body approaches that can act as their own
independent therapies.
In order to help cure and prevent cancer it is important that we analyze our life-styles in terms of our diet and the way we live. We should take precautions such as vaccinations. We need to make sure people know the symptoms of cancer in order for them to recognize their need for medical attention. Organizations such as Be Clear On Cancer make people aware of the signs of cancer and what to expect. We should implement more of these organizations around the country. As a society we need to be getting our annual screenings so that we can catch cancer in its earliest stage. Having our government fund training programs in the latest surgical techniques would be beneficial in that we have more skilled surgeons to treat patients and that would ultimately increase the percent of people who survive cancer. We need to make access easier to cancer services so there is more equality amongst cancer patients and also improve treatment for those parts of the population that are more susceptible to cancer. Furthermore, when patients are done with their treatments, as a society we need to make sure that cancer patients and survivors are able to live life on their own terms.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In order to help cure and prevent cancer it is important that we analyze our life-styles in terms of our diet and the way we live. We should take precautions such as vaccinations. We need to make sure people know the symptoms of cancer in order for them to recognize their need for medical attention. Organizations such as Be Clear On Cancer make people aware of the signs of cancer and what to expect. We should implement more of these organizations around the country. As a society we need to be getting our annual screenings so that we can catch cancer in its earliest stage. Having our government fund training programs in the latest surgical techniques would be beneficial in that we have more skilled surgeons to treat patients and that would ultimately increase the percent of people who survive cancer. We need to make access easier to cancer services so there is more equality amongst cancer patients and also improve treatment for those parts of the population that are more susceptible to cancer. Furthermore, when patients are done with their treatments, as a society we need to make sure that cancer patients and survivors are able to live life on their own terms.
Name: Daniel Corbett Whittingslow
Hometown: Saint Simons Island, Georgia
High school: Glynn Academy
Class: Highschool: 2009 College: 2013
Best class at Tech so far: I really
enjoyed the 3100/3600 combo. Those classes provided a lot of the
fundamental biological knowledge that we incorporate into our problem
solving and design classes. I have used the information learned in there
in everything from 2300 to Senior Design!
What do you plan to do with this degree? I
plan to continue my education in an MD/PhD program (with the PhD most
likely in BME!). I plan to one day be a physician scientist. The skills I
learned in the GT BME program will help me to solve problems as a
physician, and it has already helped me look good for medical school
admission boards!
Who is your current favorite performer? The new Mumford & Sons cd is incredible. However, I've been listening to Thrift Shop by Macklemore on repeat lately…
What is your favorite thing about Tech?
I really like how smart everyone is at this school and how
supportive the faculty is. The two help create an intellectual
atmosphere that allows for a lot of incredible projects and programs to
take place!
What motivates you? I am motivated by
my experiences serving the less fortunate and those struggling with
disease. I have spent most Saturdays of my college career hanging out
and eating pancakes with homeless people in a local park. I was also a
medical translator in Nicaragua one summer at a small clinic and got to
see the impact medical advances had on that population. Remembering the
people we serve with our innovative solutions to healthcare issues
motivates me the most.
Recommend a book or website: My favorite book is The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. I'm currently reading his Three Musketeers. It's great as well!
Website: http://www.noexcuselist.com/ it will teach you anything!
Where is your favorite place on campus?
I really have to love the basement of Whitaker. I've spent
hours and hours down there. The lack of cell phone service and smell of
science is all over the place…It's great!
What is your favorite food or restaurant?
I really love Mexican food. Eating at El Amigo is always a
treat. I especially like practicing my Spanish while I'm there with the
friendly staff. The people there all know me now! If anyone ever wants
to go, just let me know!
What's a random fact or something we should know about you? If you ever want to do something outside with me you will quickly notice that I always wear sunglasses. This is because I have a photic
sneeze reflex (PSR) or the ACHOO (autosomal dominant compulsive
helio-ophthalmic outbursts of sneezing) syndrome. It sounds pretty
scary, but really all that happens is I sneeze twice when I walk into
the sun. That's never fun!
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Name: Grace Youmin Ha
High school: Smyrna High School
Class: Sophomore
Best class at Tech so far: I
am currently enjoying my BMED 2300 class very much; thanks to Marty,
I'm walking around the campus dissecting different devices in my head
and identifying injection-molded parts.What do you plan to do with this degree? I'm looking forward to getting into the industry; I also hope to continue education after industry exposure and attend graduate school.
Who is your current favorite performer? I've been listening to Imagine Dragons' Continued Silence EP on repeat.
What is your favorite thing about Tech? I love all the opportunities offered here at Tech; I feel very privileged to have so many options and I am looking forward to taking advantage of many of them.
What motivates you? Visions of being somebody by having an impact on anyone ranging from a single individual to a big scale group and getting to experience life while doing so.
Recommend a book or website: It's not really a website, but CharityMiles is a smartphone app that helps you get fit by simply tracking the distance you run/walk and lets you support a charity of your choice out of many good ones! It's really cool to track how much you walk around on a regular school day and help out a charity while you're at it!
Where is your favorite place on campus? Our Whitaker building. I love the basement. I could live there. The desks are super nice, there are white boards and pinboards everywhere. Plus PRINTERS. I could practically live there.
What is your favorite food or restaurant? Tofu House! I love spicy tofu soups!
What's a random fact or something we should know about you? I have pretty extreme acrophobia. Apparently, it may possibly be an evolutionary survival mechanism; I suppose I really don't want to die.
Best part of being BME: Real-world approach to problem solving and engineering. The medical world is changing and developing at a fast rate with technology. Advancements in biomedical engineering is progressively improving healthcare anywhere from diagnostics to treatments and, of course, therapeutic devices. There are so many possibilities to improve quality of human life in this field and I'm very excited to make my contribution to society someday.
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Erika Tyburski: InVenture Prize Finalist!
"Winning
the Inventure title means transforming our device into a product. Many
great ideas from a university research lab never mature to market.
Winning the Inventure prize would mean that our invention, created at
Tech, could have a chance of being refined to a commercialized product
because of the resources and expertise from Georgia Tech." -- Erika
Tyburski
|
Team Member
|
Erika Tyburski
|
Major
|
Biomedical Engineering
|
Hometown
|
Miami, FL
|
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Name: Imran Naim
Hometown: Madison, AL
High school: Bob Jones HS
Class: Senior
Best class at Tech so far: BMED 2300, because it was the most hands on and made the design process interesting, intricate, and relevant to me.
What do you plan to do with this degree? Some combination of industry and grad school.
Who is your current favorite performer? As of recent, Cashmere Cat is my favorite pop producer and Death Grips is my favorite 'intense' band.
What is your favorite thing about Tech? I like the Atlanta area, a diversity of scenes and things to do. I also appreciate the diversity of people at Tech and the knowledge they have.
Recommend a book: Brain Rules was assigned to me to read by Dr. Potter and I really enjoyed it - it gives insights on how human brains work and what ways society could be improved with the brain in mind and supports it with real neurological explanations. http://www.amazon.com/Brain-Rules-Principles-Surviving-Thriving/dp/0979777747
Recommend a website: http://sleepyti.me/ Is very useful and works sometimes - it might change your sleeping habits.
Where is your favorite place on campus? Student Center.
What is your favorite food or restaurant? Tied between some Chinese restaurant in Switzerland and Anticos.
Random fact about you: I've only drank coffee once in my life and it sucked.
Best part of being BME: You get good at appreciating the intricacies of the technology you use and how it is made to interface with physiology. Also whatever devices you develop in BME can hopefully be something that can allow people in need of aid to function normally - giving a chance to a person's limited lifespan to enjoy the world around them as much as possible.
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Name: Shuntol Holloway
Hometown: Atlanta
High school: North Atlanta HS
Best class at Tech so far: I love BMED 2300 so far this semester.
What do you plan to do with this degree? Probably research.
Who is your current favorite performer? Jamie Foxx
What is your favorite thing about Tech? It's very diverse
Recommend a book: Molecular Biology of the Cell, it explains complicated processes easily (so far).
Recommend a website: Netflix
Where is your favorite place on campus? Clough
What is your favorite food or restaurant? Chipotle
What should people know about you? I'm dependable, personable and a good listener. And I like to roller skate.
Best part of being BME: Everything we are learning will be used to improve the quality of life of others.
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This came from a Senior Design Project!
Good Information! Choose the hospital in Mathura for quality medical care!
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