header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
November 7
1940 - William S. Hart deeds land for theater at Spruce & 11th Street to American Legion [story]
American Theater


This content appears courtesy of City of Hope. www.CityofHope.org.
| Thursday, Mar 17, 2022

By Allison Leanos | March 4, 2022

Melissa Ursini

Melissa Ursini with her family. Courtesy photo.

What started as lower abdominal pains in January 2021 that would strike suddenly, like labor pains, eventually escalated to unintended weight loss, loss of appetite, blood in the stool and frequent vomiting for Melissa Ursini, 37, of Santa Clarita. During this time, it never occurred to Ursini that she could have cancer. “I thought I had a food allergy or a ‘women’s health’ issue,” she recalls.

Ursini sought help from a gynecologist and gastroenterologist; following a Pap smear, bladder ultrasound and bloodwork, both physicians deemed her healthy and sent her home. Her symptoms continued to escalate over six months in which she became a frequent flyer in the emergency room near her home. On separate occasions, ER doctors suggested Ursini might have a parasite or an STD, prescribed antibiotics and sent her home.

Finally, Ursini began vomiting fecal matter, and her brother-in-law, an emergency room nurse, convinced her to make the trek to his ER, an hour away from her home. After an abdominal/pelvic computed tomography scan with contrast, it was discovered that Ursini had an obstruction in her left descending colon — this complete blockage was what was causing her to vomit. “The doctor in the ER said I had a mass, and it was obstructing my colon, but I didn’t hear the ‘mass’ part, I only heard ‘obstruction.’ I thought something got stuck,” Ursini said.

Exhausted from feeling ill for so long, she had to hear a couple of times from the ER doctor that the mass in her colon likely was cancer before it registered. She was stunned.

Melissa Ursini

Courtesy photo.

Ursini was admitted to the hospital to undergo a colonoscopy so a surgeon could remove a sample of the tumor for testing. A couple of days later, she underwent surgery that removed the tumor, 7 inches of her colon and 53 surrounding lymph nodes. Shortly afterward, she received the verdict: She had low-grade, Stage 2 colon cancer — T3N0, to be exact. All 53 lymph nodes tested negative.

The hospital also ran genetic testing on the tumor, but zero genetic markers were present, despite that fact that Ursini’s grandfather had died from colon cancer in his 50s.

Choosing City Of Hope

After receiving her cancer diagnosis at her brother-in-law’s hospital, she decided on City of Hope for further treatment in July 2021. “I met with oncologists at other hospitals, but it was how Dr. Fakih and the nurses at City of Hope made me feel — they were so friendly, they instantly made me feel comfortable,” she said. Moreover, Marwan G. Fakih, M.D., “was very optimistic about my prognosis and top-of-his-game in colon cancer treatment.”

“We [my husband and I] wanted an oncologist who was very knowledgeable about colon cancer who could ensure that I would live a long, happy life past age 37,” Ursini said — while acknowledging that that was a statement she never expected to make at her young age.

Marwan G. Fakih, M.D. Courtesy photo.

Considering Ursini’s stage of cancer, and given recent clinical data supporting equal benefit from three months versus six months of chemotherapy, Fakih recommended a treatment plan that consisted of three months of chemotherapy infusions with Oxaliplatin, plus the chemotherapy pill Xeloda. Ursini was to receive her chemotherapy infusion once every three weeks, followed by two weeks of daily chemo pills, over the course of three months. This plan would also minimize side effects and make it easier for Ursini to continue working while undergoing treatment. “If I was in your position, this is what I would do,” Fakih assured her. Fakih is the Judy & Bernard Briskin Distinguished Director of Clinical Research at City of Hope.

Care Close To Home

City of Hope’s community practice site in Santa Clarita was another big motivator for Ursini in choosing City of Hope. This meant that she could continue working remotely at her new dream job and receive her chemotherapy infusions without a big disruption to her day. City of Hope | Santa Clarita was only a five-minute drive from her house. While Fakih developed Ursini’s treatment plan, it was George Hajjar, M.D., at the Santa Clarita clinic who became her primary oncologist during treatment. “Melissa was very involved with her treatment and managed her expected side effects with a smile on her face,” Hajjar said. “The staff in the Santa Clarita office misses her humor and courage very much.”

Melissa with Doctor Hajjar

Courtesy photo. Melissa with Doctor George Hajjar.

Ursini’s colon cancer diagnosis at the age of 37 raises some questions. What is causing the rise of colon cancer in young people? And what can young people do when they experience symptoms? According to the National Cancer Institute, colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in people under 50 in the United States.

“It’s likely a combination of genes and environment. There must be some genes that we simply don’t know about yet — we see patients where the known gene mutations are not there,” said Andreas M. Kaiser, M.D., clinical professor and chief of the Divisin of Colorectal Surgery at City of Hope. City of Hope experts have thoughts about this trend.

A Message For Others

When asked if she could get one message across, Ursini said, “I wish experts could normalize and educate young people, especially women, about getting colonoscopies. When I was experiencing symptoms, I never once thought about a colonoscopy — I had very little education on ‘red flags’ that would warrant one.”

Ursini rang the chemo survivor’s bell in October 2021 and is nearly six months past her treatment. She’ll continue to receive bloodwork and scans every six months at City of Hope. But for now, after receiving a positive prognosis, she’s looking forward to enjoying a long, happy life as a now 38-year-old with her husband Dominick, daughter Regan, 7, and corgi Dodger.

For more information, call 800-826-4673 or to request an appointment, click [here].

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

1 Comment

  1. I like you.r presentation and agree with much of this information. You kept my attention throughout the whole article, and that’s a task Thank you.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Thursday, Nov 7, 2024
Nov. 21: Salt Creek Grille, Veteran Services Collaborative Host Fundraiser
The Santa Clarita Veteran Services Collaborative has announced the "Bringing it Home" fundraiser, an exclusive wine and hors d'oeuvre event hosted by Salt Creek Grille, will be held Thursday, Nov. 21.
Thursday, Nov 7, 2024
USPS Announces Holiday Mailing, Shipping Dates
The U.S. Postal Service announced its recommended mailing and shipping dates for holiday mail and packages. The following are recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before Dec. 25.
Wednesday, Nov 6, 2024
Local Election Results as of Wednesday Evening
The closest race of the election is for Santa Clarita City Council. Patsy Ayala was leading Tim Burkhart by 37 votes at the close of business Wednesday, 3,219 to 3,182. More absentee ballots remain to be counted.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Samuel Dixon Family Health Center, Inc. has announced that it was awarded a $1.1 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration to add new services that will include substance use disorder treatment programs.
Samuel Dixon Awarded 1.1 Million Grant for SUD Program
The American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Santa Clarita Valley will host its annual holiday boutique fundraiser, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Santa Clarita United Methodist Church
Nov. 23: ACS Relay for Life SCV Holiday Boutique
The Santa Clarita Veteran Services Collaborative has announced the "Bringing it Home" fundraiser, an exclusive wine and hors d'oeuvre event hosted by Salt Creek Grille, will be held Thursday, Nov. 21.
Nov. 21: Salt Creek Grille, Veteran Services Collaborative Host Fundraiser
The U.S. Postal Service announced its recommended mailing and shipping dates for holiday mail and packages. The following are recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before Dec. 25.
USPS Announces Holiday Mailing, Shipping Dates
1940 - William S. Hart deeds land for theater at Spruce & 11th Street to American Legion [story]
American Theater
The closest race of the election is for Santa Clarita City Council. Patsy Ayala was leading Tim Burkhart by 37 votes at the close of business Wednesday, 3,219 to 3,182. More absentee ballots remain to be counted.
Local Election Results as of Wednesday Evening
Due to projected power shutoffs related to the current wind advisory, the Child & Family Center’s Centre Pointe Pkwy location, will be closed for in-person services beginning 5 pm Wednesday
Child & Family Center’s Centre Pointe Pkwy Location Closes Due to Power Shutoffs
Beginning Wednesday, November 13, crews will begin the construction of median modifications, paving, grinding and overlay operations along portions of McBean Parkway at Newhall Ranch Road.
Upcoming Lane Closures on McBean Parkway and Newhall Ranch Road
The California Highway Patrol is proud to announce it received a $350,000 grant to address the growing issue of distracted driving on California roads.  
CHP Receives Grant to Combat Adult Distracted Driving in California
The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation has once again recognized the city of Santa Clarita as a finalist for the prestigious 2024 "Most Business-Friendly City" award in the category of large cities (population over 60,000).
City of Santa Clarita Named 2024 Most Business-Friendly City Finalist
The County of Los Angeles is experiencing critical fire weather and is under a Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag advisory from now until Friday evening. .
Animal Care and Control Urges Emergency Pet Preparedness
The city of Santa Clarita is pleased to announce the release of the 2025-2026 Notice of Funding Availability and has scheduled informational meetings for organizations interested in applying for 2025-2026 Community Development Block Grant funding.
Santa Clarita Non-Profits Invited to Apply for 2025-2026 Funding Cycle
California State University, Northridge’s CSUN-al Gardening series returns this month just in time to prepare for fall planting.
CSUN-al Garden Class to Get Ready for Fall Planting
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Board Chair Lindsey P. Horvath
Supes Support Expansion of Tax Credit Program for Entertainment Sector
Local educational performing arts charity Mission Opera, together with Oksana Foundation and Bella Cucina Italian Restaurant, is excited to announce “Bella Notte,” a new monthly event starting this Fall that blends the worlds of Italian fine dining, live opera, and community support.
Nov. 23: “Bella Notte” Italian Night Comes to Santa Clarita
For the fourth year in a row, California State University, Northridge has been named a Fulbright HSI Leader by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
CSUN Named a Fulbright HSI Leader For a Fourth Year in a Row
Thompson Von Tungeln Trust and Estate Lawyers will host a free successor trustee training workshop on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Hyatt Regency Valencia, 24500 Town Center Drive, Valencia, Calif. 91355.
Nov. 9: Free Successor Trustee Training Workshop
No. 12 College of the Canyons football scored 24 points, highlighted by a 95-yard kickoff return from sophomore Da'Marrie Smith, in what turned out to be a decisive second quarter to outlast visiting Moorpark College 27-21 on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Cougar Stadium.
No. 12 Canyons Outlasts Moorpark College 27-21
Unofficial election results for the 2024 General Election as of Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 11:21 p.m.
2024 General Election Santa Clarita Races
1976 - Horse turds and peace pipes: Acton Turkey War with AM radio jock Dick Whittington ends in a draw [story]
Turkey war
The Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry has announced a newly-formed partnership with California Institute of the Arts and its Basic Needs Center.
SCV Food Pantry Partnership with CalArts to Feed Students
The Los Angeles County Fire Department, Sheriff’s Department and Office of Emergency Management are on high alert in anticipation of strong, high-speed winds and dangerous fire weather conditions that will impact the Santa Clarita Valley and Los Angeles County late Tuesday night through at least Thursday afternoon.
County Urges SCV Residents to Prepare for High Winds, Fire Weather
For the fourth consecutive time, the College of the Canyons Contracts, Procurement and Risk Management department received a 2024 Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement award from the National Procurement Institute, Inc.
COC Purchasing Department Receives 2024 National Procurement Institute Award
SCVNews.com