"Finding Fox Chase was a Godsend."‐John St. Omer
In the spring 2005, I passed out at my home and was taken to my local emergency room. After describing my symptoms, an endoscopy was performed. Doctors found a mass in my stomach and performed laparoscopic surgery to remove it. My discharge instructions made no mention of cancer.
In April 2007, my symptoms were back, so I returned to the same hospital. The doctors asked me whether I followed up with an oncologist after my initial surgery. No one at my local hospital ever told me I had cancer, so I was confused and shocked by this news.
As the father of four sons with a 16-year span and the general manager of a major hotel at the time, I knew how to manage chaos. But managing cancer, especially when I didn’t know I had it, was another story altogether. I learned that I had a gastrointestinal stromal tumor, otherwise known as GIST, a relatively uncommon type of sarcoma for which close follow-up would be warranted. I gathered that it would have been prudent to see an oncologist, especially now that my cancer had recurred.
My doctors recommended Fox Chase Cancer Center for their expertise in treating sarcomas.
That recommendation would not only provide me with excellent care but with life-long friendships. Now, 20 years later, I'm doing great! So much so that I am part of the Fox Chase running team for the annual Phillies Charities 5K, which I just did recently, and have made running a huge part of my lifestyle.
“Finding Fox Chase was a Godsend”
My first thought was to travel to New York City for treatment. But my doctors pointed out that I could just stay in Philadelphia, the home of Fox Chase, one of the best cancer hospitals in the country. As an added bonus, they were known for treating a lot of sarcoma patients.
Several phone calls later, I had scheduled an appointment with an oncologic surgeon at Fox Chase who specialized in treating patients with sarcomas. Finding Fox Chase was a godsend, I realized. Instances where things like this happen are “Godwinks” to me. I researched the center online and was confident in my decision.
When I went in to see the doctor, he made me feel like I was his only patient. My surgeon didn’t sugarcoat anything for me. He was honest and direct, which I needed. After complete removal of the GIST recurrence, I was introduced to Dr. Margaret von Mehren, Chief of the Division of Sarcoma Medical Oncology at Fox Chase. She started me on an oral chemotherapy known as Gleevec. Also known by its generic name, imatinib, it is the gold standard in helping prevent future recurrences of GIST.
An Excellent Experience
I’ve remained cancer-free ever since. I had an excellent experience at Fox Chase; everyone there made me feel welcome. My wife Maria, who is a nurse, feels the same way about my care.
I’m also thrilled about my treatment because I’m a golf and running fanatic, and I realized that mental and physical fitness were both going to be key to my recovery.
One of the things I've learned over 20 years of surviving cancer is that you need to trust your doctors to make the right choices, but you also need to do your part too, and that is where exercise comes in. If they are doing what they can, I should be doing what I can. Luckily, I was able to swing a club just a couple of months after surgery and have since won five golf titles.
Having risen to the top of my golfing endeavors, I took up running as well. Since my cancer treatment ended, I've been running like Forrest Gump. I’ve run the 10-mile Broad Street Run in Philadelphia at an 8.5-minute mile pace and have successfully completed three half marathons. I wanted to give back to the Fox Chase community, so in addition to taking part in the Phillies Charities 5K, I started fundraising each year for Jimbo’s Squad Broad Street Run team. For me, each finish line signifies another chapter.
The funny thing is, it wasn’t until I was staring at the ceiling from my hospital bed that I really began to appreciate how precious life and good health are. I was completely dependent on other people to care for me, and I also relied on my mother’s prayers for support.
Having cancer was a humbling experience. I’m now enjoying my second lease on life with no complaints. My wife and I are especially enjoying our growing family and our role as grandparents.
I am doing well. I continue to run, golf, and love my six grandkids. I’m still a hospitality professional and looking forward to doing more mentoring and motivational coaching and speaking.
Learn more about treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) at Fox Chase Cancer Center.