DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION:
Art Still’s body felt the ravages of playing professional football for twelve years, but when he suffered atrial fibrillation, he sought medical attention. His doctor suggested he undergo a genetic test, which revealed he had the variant for a disease known as amyloidosis. While not cancer, if left untreated in a timely manner, it can lead to various types of blood cancer. Early detection, periodic shots and medication will not get rid of the variant, but they will team up to keep from developing into blood cancer. Art pays attention to diet, exercise and the right amount of sleep, and says he enjoys a healthy lifestyle.
Art accepted carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger and a torn biceps muscle as the byproducts of his NFL career, but atrial fibrillation was different. Through the National Football League Players Association, he went to New Orleans for a thorough physical and mental examination. His doctor suggested Art undergo a genetic test to see if Art had a variant for amyloidosis, a disease which if left untreated can be linked to various types of blood cancer. A brother of his had undergone heart replacement, and another brother needs one. That combined with the suggestion from the doctor was enough to get Art to take the test, and sure enough, it indicated he had the V122I variant, which Art says affects one in 25 African-Americans.
He is now on a regimen that includes medications and periodic shots. It will not rid Art of the variant, but keeps it at bay so that it doesn’t become cancerous, affecting other organs like kidneys and the brain.
Art Still wants to maximize awareness of amyloidosis, and has established a website that provides a wealth of information on the subject so that like Art, others can get in front of the disease.
Additional Resources:
Art’s website: https://www.amyloidosisarmy.org
TRANSCRIPT
Art Still
Bruce Morton: This is the Cancer Interviews podcast, and I’m your host, Bruce Morton. A diagnosis of amyloidosis is not a cancer diagnosis, but if left untreated, it can be linked to various types of blood cancer. Our guest on this episode was able to get in front of amyloidosis’ numerous symptoms, and he wants to make sure others do, too. He is Art Still of Liberty, Missouri. Now it’s time to hear his story, and Art, welcome to Cancer Interviews.
Art Still: Bruce, I appreciate the opportunity. It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.
BM: Before we get started, we would like to know more about you, and your life outside of amyloidosis. So, if you would tell us a bit about where you are from, what you have done for work, and what you do for fun
AS: I am from Camden, New Jersey, right across from Philadelphia. I grew up in the inner city, and the only means of getting an education and getting out of the city was my sports skills. I got a scholarship to play football at the University of Kentucky. Had a pretty good career, played with some great guys and all, graduated in 1978, got drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs, played ten years with the Kansas City Chiefs and then two years with the Buffalo Bills. So, I played 12 years in the NFL and have been living in the Kansas City area ever since.
BM: A lot of people don’t know what amyloidosis is, so first off, help us out and let us what amyloidosis is.
AS: It is a genetic disease. The variant I have, one out of 25 African-Americans have it. So, with my parents having the amyloidosis, the V122I, that’s the variant we have. From one of my parents, I don’t know which, I had a 50 percent chance of getting that variant. That’s where I got it from.
BM: We are confident you’ll be able to learn some tips and tools to help you through your personal cancer journey, but first we’d like to invite you to give us a ‘like,’ leave a comment or review below and share this story with your friends. Kindly click on the Subscribe button below and click on the bell icon. That way you will be notified the next time we post an interview. Finally, we want to remind you that on Cancer Interviews, we are not distributors of medical advice. If you seek medical advice, please contact a health care professional.
Art, something had to happen that led to your diagnosis of amyloidosis. What went wrong, which made you feel as though you needed medical attention?
AS: There was a combination of things. When you are playing football, you beat your body up. I had carpal tunnel, I had both my shoulders replaced, torn biceps, I got stenosis in the back, I got neuropathy in my feet, and all this I attribute to football. But I also took care of myself. I ate well, I exercised. Then I had atrial fibrillation, heart problems, ans then I was looking back and considered my brother having a heart transplant in 2013. He is 74 years old. All the same symptoms I have, he has, and I have another brother who has the same issues. Looking at my family, it was almost like putting a puzzle together.
BM: With al those symptoms, you knew something was wrong, but how did you learn you had amyloidosis?
AS: The NFL has a lot of good programs, especially for retired ballplayers like me. There is a wellness program we have through the NFL Players Association, and from where I live, I was sent down to Tulane (University in New Orleans) and they do a whole body and mind assessment on you every five years. The first year I went down there, they wanted me to take certain medications, but I am anti-medication. Anyway, when I went back in August 2023, there was a doctor, Doctor Ferdinand, he was an African-American cardiologist. He started asking me about the history of the family, I started disclosing the things we just talked about regarding my brothers and the rest of my family. He had mentioned that I might want to take a genetic test on this amyloidosis stuff. So, when I got back to Kansas City in September of 2023, I took the genetic test and found out that I had that gene.
BM: Different types of cancer afford different amount of treatment options for those diagnosed. In your case, did you have options?
AS: There are different variants of amyloidosis. Here is a football name you remember: Matt Millen. We played against each other when I was in college. He went on to play in the NFL and became general manager of the Detroit Lions. He has amyloidosis, but it is the AL variant, which is different from mine because mine is genetic. So, there are different variants. Mine was the genetic side of things. Every three months I get this shot. They cannot get rid of this gene at all, but they have things that can deter it from getting worse. Right now, with my situation, getting a shot every three months, it won’t advance to where my brother went, which was heart transplant and could have been an infected kidney. My brother has an enlarged tongue. That’s why early detection of amyloidosis is so important. Without it, it can lead to a lot of things, including death.
BM: So, if someone is diagnosed with amyloidosis, how important is it to find the right specialist and I ask because with other rare diseases, rare cancers, finding the right specialist can make the difference between a good outcome and a bad outcome.
AS: This is why I encourage anyone with the symptoms to get that genetic test taken care of as soon as possible, and have it conducted by an amyloidosis doctor. He knows the symptoms because he specializes in this area. One of the reasons why I do the awareness is to get the information out there because the amyloidosis might see carpal tunnel syndrome and is more likely to know if it is part of amyloidosis.
BM: You spoke of the amyloidosis symptoms. What are some of them that should get people’s attention?
AS: I am just going by my symptoms. They include carpal tunnel, trigger finger, I had torn biceps, stenosis in the back, neuropathy in the feet. Left untreated, amyloidosis can affect other organs, your heart, your kidneys, there is a variety of things. Others with amyloidosis with dementia have said that amyloidosis can spread to their brain. Still others have had it in their stomach and their intestines.
BM: After what you have gone through, recognizing amyloidosis and getting in front of it, physically, are you able to do everything you could do before your diagnosis?
AS: I am not a spring chicken no more, I am 69 years old. My body is pretty beat up because of football, but because of the way I eat, drink and sleep, I think I am in pretty good shape. Doctors have said if I hadn’t been taking care of myself the way I have, amyloidosis would have me in a bad way. And it is not just physical. If your brain dwells on the negative things, your overall situation is going to get worse.
BM: Art, we are going to wrap up now, but before we go, I want to call attention to your wishing to call attention to amyloidosis through a website you have created. Could you tell us more about it?
AS: We are called www.amyloidosisarmy.org, and the website gives a lot of information as far as awareness, symptoms, and where to find specialists in the different parts of the country. It is pretty informative, plus it lists a contact number to get in touch with me.
BM: Wonderful. Again, that website is www.amyloidosisarmy.org. Art Still, Liberty, Missouri, thank you so much for shedding light on a subject that gets little attention. Thanks for being with us on Cancer Interviews.
AS: I appreciate everything yo are doing and wish everybody the best. If there is anything I can do to help out, I am around.
BM: And we want to remind you as we always when we conclude, that if you or a loved one are on a cancer journey, you are not alone. There are people like Art Still, websites like www.amyloidosisarmy.org, that are there to help. So, until next time, we’ll see you on down the road.
Additional Resources:
Art’s website: https://www.amyloidosisarmy.org
SHOW NOTES
TITLE: Art Still – Amyloidosis Patient Advocate – Liberty, Missouri, USA
Art Still’s body felt the ravages of playing professional football for twelve years, but when he suffered atrial fibrillation, he sought medical attention. His doctor suggested he undergo a genetic test, which revealed he had the variant for a disease known as amyloidosis. While not cancer, if left untreated in a timely manner, it can lead to various types of blood cancer. Early detection, periodic shots and medication will not get rid of the variant, but they will team up to keep from developing into blood cancer. Art pays attention to diet, exercise and the right amount of sleep, and says he enjoys a healthy lifestyle.
Additional Resources:
Art’s website: https://www.amyloidosisarmy.org
Time Stamps:
02:49 Art defines amyloidosis.
05:23 Atrial Fibrillation drove him to seek medical attention.
06:11 How he learned he had amyloidosis.
08:48 Describes his treatment.
10:25 Art says it is important to be treated by an amyloidosis specialist.
13:20 Says he is now in good health.
KEYWORDS (tags):
stenosis
amyloidosis
neuropathy
art still
atrial fibrillation
bruce morton

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