Moving Forward

by Danni Sabota

Carol Tatum maintains it is because of the jiggly dessert cubes that she remembers to live and appreciate life fully despite her diagnosis of a rare skin cancer called mycosis fungoides.

 

She had always eyed the blue gelatin in the serving line at Luby's Cafeteria but never sampled it until one day in 1994 when she was apprehensive about what her diagnosis might be and a friend said, "Don't put off having your blue Jell-O today."

 

Now Carol can often be seen enthusiastically telling M. D. Anderson patients the same message as she passes around snack pack containers of -- what else? -- blue Jell-O.

 

In remission herself and married to retired stable owner, horseman and rancher Guy Tatum, who has been living with the same type of cancer since his diagnosis in 1991, she is thankful for what they do have -- each other.

 

In fact, it was because of their shared cancer that the two met in 1994 while participating in a clinical trial at M. D. Anderson for a new topical treatment for their condition. They fell in love and married last spring.

 

Dr. Madeleine Duvic, professor of medicine and chief of the Section of Dermatology, introduced them after both expressed genuine interest in raising awareness about their unusual disease.

Guy and Carol Tatum enjoy a

quiet moment in the shade.

 

Guy had been misdiagnosed for 11 years before learning his chronic skin ailment was not psoriasis, but rather a cancer that M. D. Anderson could treat. The disease, also known as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), occurs when some immune system cells become malignant and affect the skin.

 

"Both Guy and Carol talked about wanting to give something back," Dr. Duvic says. "Since then, they have been trying to get volunteers to help in the dermatology clinic and also start a support group."

 

Carol, a Chanel cosmetic beauty advisor at a Foley's department store, enjoys sharing the couple's inspirational story with other cancer patients. They chose a condominium located just a few minutes from the Texas Medical Center so they could be nearby not only for Guy's regular treatments, but also for cancer patients who might need moral support.

 

"We know first-hand what it's like to have this disease," Carol says, "and we understand the emotions and struggles involved in overcoming it. It can be difficult at times. So when people come here from other parts of the country, we welcome them and treat them like family."

 

The Tatums are committed to helping others afflicted with CTCL, and they are doing that through Moving Forward -- a foundation they have launched to educate people and physicians about the disease.

 

Further, they hope their organization can help support M. D. Anderson's skin cancer research program as well as fund an advocacy group and other projects like building a special whirlpool room for patients with CTCL.

 

Getting the foundation established has been a slow process "due to several major surgeries Guy has had to undergo during the past four years. But things are starting to fall in place, and we're ready to get moving," Carol says.

 

Guy and Carol are determined and dedicated to their dream.

 

"We've learned that finding out you have cancer changes your life," Carol admits. "You can't look at it as a death sentence, but rather a life sentence. We want to do what we can, and we believe God brought us together for a reason."

Do You Have Mycosis Fungoides?

Mycosis fungoides, also known as cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL), is a rare skin cancer. It occurs when some immune system cells become malignant and affect the skin.

 

A condition that afflicts twice as many men as women, CTCL is often misdiagnosed for many years because it initially resembles eczema or psoriasis. Only a biopsy of the skin can accurately determine whether someone has CTCL or another skin problem.

 

There are four stages of CTCL:

 

1) Patch. The first sign is a patchy rash, appears on the trunk and extremities, and is usually light pink.

 

2) Plaque. The rash is scaly and can vary from pink to dark red or brown and may be raised. Brown patches that vary in size and shape may also be present. Itching is common at this stage of the disease.

 

3) Tumor. Plaques become nodules and tumors. At this point, the T-cells are malignant. Typically, the tumors are solid and mushroom-shaped. They can occur anywhere on the body, but most commonly appear on the face, scalp and in the skin folds.

 

4) Leukemia. The skin is totally red and scaly and there are circulating lymphoma cells in the blood.

 

For more information on CTCL, available treatments and clinical trials,

call (713) 745-1113 or e-mail at mduvic@mdanderson.org