Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Announces Recurrence of Cancer
What happened: Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg announced that she’s been undergoing chemotherapy to treat a recurrence of cancer.
The 87-year-old announced she has been receiving bi-weekly treatments since May 19 after a periodic scan followed by a biopsy revealed lesions on her liver. Immunotherapy wasn’t successful, but the chemotherapy course is “yielding positive results.”
“Immunotherapy first essayed proved unsuccessful. The chemotherapy course, however, is yielding positive results. Satisfied that my treatment course is now clear, I am providing this information,” Ginsburg said in a statement.
Justice Ginsburg’s recent hospital visits to treat an infection and remove gall stones were unrelated to the cancer.
My most recent scan on July 7 indicated significant reduction of the liver lesions and no new disease. I am tolerating chemotherapy well and am encouraged by the success of my current treatment. I will continue bi-weekly chemotherapy to keep my cancer at bay, and am able to maintain an active daily routine. Throughout, I have kept up with opinion writing and all other Court work. — Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been a fighter her whole life and I know this next challenge is no different. Joining those across our nation sending love and prayers. https://t.co/96XAnTvpv2
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 17, 2020
The Frontlines: In previous bouts with cancer, Ginsburg had radiation and surgery for early-stage pancreatic cancer in 2009, as well as treatment for colon cancer in 1999. She also had some tumors removed from a lung in 2018. Ginsburg’s statement reveals that:
- Ginsburg was treated for pancreatic cancer in 2009, but the cancer has returned in her liver.
- Gemcitabine is a standard chemotherapy medication used to treat a number of types of cancer, and works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.
- Ginsburg tried one of the new immunotherapies for cancer but the therapy was unsuccessful in treating the tumors.
A Mighty Voice: Our contributor, Kendal Hendrick, shared the story of her 4-year-old son’s interaction with Justice Ginsburg while he was undergoing tests at St. Jude’s to diagnose a rare disease.
“Many doctors don’t know how to help my 4-year old son because he’s so medically complex and rare. However, that didn’t stop Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg from reaching out to him and encouraging him to keep fighting this past week while he was hospitalized. The note reads: ‘To Teddy, For the courage you have shown through terribly hard times, my applause and admiration.’” You can submit your first person story, too.
From Our Community:
Other things to know: Some members of our Mighty community also shared their experiences with cancer:
- 7 Things Your Friend With Cancer Wants You to Do
- A Few Critical Things That Helped Me Survive Pancreatic Cancer
- My Dos and Don’ts for Supporting Someone With Cancer
- Having a ‘One-on-One’ With My Fears From Cancer
What happens now: In the statement, Ginsburg stated that she’s continuing her Court work. “I have often said I would remain a member of the Court as long as I can do the job full steam. I remain fully able to do that.”
Ginsburg is the Supreme Court’s oldest member at age 87, and known for her fiery liberal dissents, the “Notorious RBG” has no signs of slowing down.
Header image via Supreme Court of the United States / Public domain
Maria Lianos-Carbone is the author of “Oh Baby! A Mom’s Self-Care Survival Guide for the First Year”, and publisher of amotherworld.com, a popular family lifestyle blog for women.
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