“Fox Chase isn’t just treating you to treat you — they’re treating you so you can live.”‐Francis Kluzinski
My cancer story started 15 years ago, when I was diagnosed with kidney cancer. The local hospital removed my left kidney, and for the next 10 years, everything seemed fine. Then, seven years ago, the cancer came back. This time it had spread to my pancreas, stomach, and thyroid. It was diagnosed as stage IV, and I knew I needed specialized care. One of my close friends told me Fox Chase Cancer Center is the best, so that’s where I went.
The first time I met Dr. Daniel Geynisman, the clinical oncologist who would be by my side for the next seven years, I brought my entire family. The first thing he did was make a joke about them filling up the waiting room, and it put me at ease. I love my family most, and I love making people smile second most. In that moment, Dr. Geynisman brought a smile to my face, and it set the tone for our relationship.
A Clinical Trial
The treatment plan Dr. Geynisman developed began with standard-of-care systemic therapy, medications that travel throughout the body to target and kill cancer cells. That worked for approximately three years. After that, Dr. Geynisman enrolled me in a clinical trial started at Fox Chase that combined two medicines. The first was an immunotherapy known as nivolumab, which is also sold under the brand name Opdivo, and axitinib, a targeted therapy also known by the brand name Inlyta.
Eventually my stomach lesions began to cause more bleeding and Dr. Geynisman recommended radiation, so I had 10 sessions of radiation therapy with Dr. Thomas Galloway, my radiation oncologist.
Also, throughout my treatment course, I had to have multiple endoscopies and that led me to working with Dr. Malorie Simons, my gastroenterologist. She dubbed me “the Jokester” after I made her entire staff laugh during a procedure. I like to make people happy. The world’s not in very good shape, so if you can make someone laugh, it helps.
Always Listening
The thing about Dr. Geynisman, Dr. Galloway, and Dr. Simons, and really everyone at Fox Chase, is that they’re always willing to take the time to listen to you. With some doctors, it’s “oh well, your time’s up.” But at Fox Chase, they’ll listen to you and answer your questions as long as you need.
What has mattered most is that Fox Chase isn’t just treating you to treat you — they’re treating you so you can live. “We want you to make the best of your life,” Dr. Geynisman told me. For me, that includes trips to Disney World with my grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When we were planning a vacation, Fox Chase gave me the name of a cancer hospital down there that I could trust in case I needed care. I was blown away.
Looking Good
Today, when people see me, they can’t believe I have stage IV cancer. Even Dr. Simons told me I look good! But I’m also realistic about my diagnosis. Dr. Geynisman told me my stage IV cancer is not curable, but manageable. For now, the medicine is working, and I’m determined to meet my sixth great-grandchild, who arrives this December.
I’ve still got stage IV cancer, but I’m a survivor. Fox Chase is making sure I stay one as long as I can.
Learn more about treatment for kidney cancer at Fox Chase Cancer Center.