Now, her objectives are to convince even just one person to stop putting off a colonoscopy, to survive her own advanced colon cancer, and to save her home in Merrimac from foreclosure.
"I never thought, just turning 53, I'd be diagnosed with colon cancer. I've always had a healthy lifestyle. I ate right. I was physically active," said Atwood-Alden, a former nurse at Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport who was an active volunteer in the community with the American Red Cross; American Cancer Society; Salem Hospital; blood pressure, diabetes and prostate screening clinics at Anna Jaques; and numerous school and arts programs.
But colon cancer runs in Atwood-Alden's family. Her father was in his 60s when he was diagnosed with the disease that eventually took his life. Because of the family history, Atwood-Alden's doctors told her to get a colonoscopy when she turned 50. But she waited.
"I felt healthy, and who's going to get sick at 50?" she said.
Now, with the knowledge that the gene exists in her family, doctors are advising her 24-year-old daughter, Kelly Atwood, to be tested when she turns 30.
And Atwood-Alden hopes her illness encourages others to understand the importance of talking about the disease and being tested so they can avoid what she has had to endure to stay alive.
"There's very little talked about with colon cancer. I think it's one of those taboo subjects," she said. "I think it's really important for people to take one day out of their lives and go and get (a colonoscopy) done so they don't end up like me."
Pre-cancerous polyps can be detected and removed during a colonoscopy, she said, and the patient is home within a few hours. But because Atwood-Alden's polyps were caught too late, the cancer had spread to her liver, and now the "prognosis is very poor," she said.
Atwood-Alden explained away early signs of the disease. She blamed her 12-hour work days for her fatigue, and thought the bleeding she was experiencing was hemorrhoids.
She underwent a colon resection to remove some of the diseased tissue and a two-week stay at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston early this year, followed by an "intensive regime" of five chemotherapy drugs taken together for three consecutive days every other week for four months.
Another surgery was done in late-September. She is now undergoing six months of chemotherapy.
The treatment has had many side effects. It has sapped her energy. One of the drugs from her first round of chemotherapy caused permanent nerve damage to her toes and fingers, and she now has a constant burning that feels like frostbite. During chemotherapy, whenever she swallows anything cold, it feels like "swallowing cut glass."
Today, she lives with "the loss of hair, the skin peeling off my hands and feet, the constant pain and numbness in my fingers and toes, the struggle. It's an effort to get out of bed every day."
Atwood-Alden is extremely grateful to the "very caring people" on her medical team - oncologist Dr. Carmen Ligia Pisc of Commonwealth Hematology-Oncology, gastroenterologist Dr. Norman Miller of Newburyport, and primary-care physicians Dr. Michael Guidi and Dr. Lydia Jeffcoat, both of Lahey Merrimac.
With a life expectancy of two to five years, she continues to hold onto hope. Researchers, she said, are "coming up with new things all the time." She's been given a 25 percent chance of beating the cancer. As recently as two years ago, she said, "they couldn't give you that hope."
"With new treatments, ... the odds are improving for people," she said, adding she wants to do her part for research through her involvement in Dana Farber Cancer Institute's genetic testing program for colon cancer.
In addition to fighting for her survival, Atwood-Alden faces the daunting challenge of trying to keep her home of two years, which is facing possible foreclosure, even after she borrowed more than $20,000 from family and friends.
Her financial troubles began after a back injury that does not allow her to lift forced her to leave her nursing job at Anna Jaques. She took a self-employed, private-duty job, and got private health insurance. She was in the process of getting mortgage insurance on her home, but instead, used the money to pay for a colonoscopy, which her insurance did not cover.
Now, she can't get mortgage insurance because of her illness. And her health insurance has not covered her chemotherapy treatments.
Unable to work since December 2005, Atwood-Alden does not qualify for unemployment assistance because she was self-employed. She was turned down twice for Mass Health coverage, but eventually was approved for Social Security disability payments through the program, but there was a six-month lag time. Now, it's on hold pending proof of her medical bills. She has accrued an $8,000 debt with the IRS, and her mother, Joan Green of Merrimac's Greenleaf Park, is trying to get late fees and fines waived.
"I never in my whole life thought I'd be in this situation," Atwood-Alden said. "I worked my whole life."
On the bright side, Atwood-Alden received free health care at Anna Jaques and Brigham & Women's Hospital, food stamps and fuel assistance from Haverhill Community Action. A fundraiser in February at Larry's Marina in Amesbury raised $2,500, covering her bills for one month. She's grateful for the donations from many businesses, as well as organizers Maureen Haley of Byfield, a longtime friend and supporter, and Anna Jaques nurses Mary O'Connor and Lucy McMilleon.
Despite all the support, medical bills and living expenses continue to mount. And she's worried about covering her mortgage payments at the end of the year.
While she admits to "moments where I feel sorry for myself," she also believes she is "a positive, optimistic person."
"Because of my nursing (background), I've seen so much tragedy," she said. "I appreciate what I have."
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A fund has been established for Donna Atwood-Alden at Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank. Another fundraiser is also being planned. For information or to make a donation, call Maureen Haley at 978-465-9496.
Understanding colon cancer
Colon cancer is most successfully treated at the early stage. Dr. Norman Miller of Newburyport Gastroenterology discusses what to look for, who should get tested and when:
What are the signs of colon cancer?
The problem with colon cancer is there are not a lot of early signs. Watching for rectal bleeding or a change in stools is outdated. If you wait for these symptoms, the cancer may have progressed too far.
Why do I need a colonoscopy?
It's best to treat colon cancer at its earliest stages. A colonoscopy is used to locate polyps before they have become cancerous, and certainly before any cancer has spread to another part of the body.We feel we can wipe out colon cancer with a very aggressive screening. It's a cancer that's very, very preventable.
At what age do I need to start getting tested?
Screening is recommended beginning at age 50, because that's when the incidence of colon cancer starts rising dramatically. However, if there is a family history, particularly first-degree (mother, father, brother or sister) or even grandparents, then a colonoscopy is recommended 10 years prior to the age of onset of cancer in the youngest relative to develop the disease.
How often do I need to be re-tested?
If a polyp is found, the recommendation is to re-test in three to five years, depending on how aggressive the polyp is. If the colon is normal and there is no family history, then you can wait 10 years to be re-tested. If the colon is normal but you have a family history, then you should be re-tested every five years.
Where do I get a colonoscopy?
Your primary-care physician should be your first contact, and can recommend an appropriate physician. It never hurts to run things by your doctor, so if your primary-care physician does not suggest testing, then ask.
Will my health insurance cover the cost?
Almost all health insurance plans pay for this screening.
What if I don't have insurance or it won't cover the test?
Contact a gastroenterologist to make arrangements. We have all kinds of mechanisms to provide care to patients. Most of the doctors I know are willing to make arrangements so patients can receive screenings they need but cannot afford. Don't let pride stand in the way of protecting your health.
What causes colon cancer?
Colon cancer is considered a "sporadic disease," which means we don't know why people are getting it. Only 5 percent of colon cancer patients have a family history; for the other 95 percent, there is no known cause.
Will changing my diet prevent colon cancer?
We don't have good evidence that diet helps prevent colon cancer (although fiber is still recommended to prevent other diseases).
