Scott H.

Scott’s colon cancer diagnosis in 2015 came as a surprise to him and his wife Mary. A trip to the emergency department called for an emergency colonoscopy, lots of tests and the eventual diagnosis. As an energetic husband, father and grandfather, Scott was unsure what the future would hold but was eager to get to work targeting the disease.

Scott, a resident of Madison County, turned to Community Cancer Center Anderson for care. His team included Jennifer Fisher, MD, an MD Anderson Cancer Network® certified physician specializing in radiation oncology, Shiroo Parshad, MD, an MD Anderson Cancer Network certified physician practicing medical oncology and Shekar Narayanan, MD, an MD Anderson Cancer Network certified physician focusing on colon and rectal surgery.

A regimen of chemotherapy and 36 radiation treatments preceded surgery. While Scott developed a good comfort level with his care team, the treatments did wear on him.

“I’ve had a lot of good days, but by the end of all of this, I bottomed out and was so tired,” he said.

The physical toll of the cancer and subsequent treatments were especially challenging for Scott as he continued to try to work full-time as a technician for a national electronic security solutions company. The financial burden of cancer, coupled with the minimal time he was physically unable to work, were a challenge for Scott and Mary.

“Like so many people, we live paycheck to paycheck,” he said. “We weren’t prepared. I’ve never been one to ask anyone for anything, but we were worn out thinking, ‘How are we going to do this?’”

That’s where donors to Community Health Network Foundation were able to help. Scott was provided support through the Oncology Patient Assistance Fund, which offers cancer patients facing financial challenges with some relief in the form of a $250 gift card to help them access food, medicine and gas.

“We took care of necessities first and were able to stock the fridge,” said Scott. “And then, because we had six grandchildren at the time and the holidays were approaching, we were also able to purchase some small gifts for Christmas.”

Fortunately, Scott and Mary also learned around this time that the treatments and surgery had done what they should. Scott was determined to be cancer-free. He was able to return to his normal routine as clean scans continued for around two years. However, a scan in 2018 showed change – the cancer had migrated to his liver and a new care team needed to be involved, including Karen Ehrman, MD an MD Anderson Cancer Network certified physician specializing in diagnostic radiology.

In the fall of 2018, Scott was on an intensive chemotherapy regimen using four different chemotherapy medications. Part of this included a 48-hour, at-home treatment that happened every two weeks. While a high-dose radiation provided unsuccessful for him, three surgeries of liver ablation have seemed to help.

While the treatments have had lasting effects on Scott, including some unforeseen physical challenges, his zest for life and sense of humor have not dimmed.

“I showed up to the cancer center last Christmas in a Santa hat and handed out coal candy to everyone,” he laughed.

Support from family and friends has meant the world to Scott, who takes every possible opportunity to brighten the days of others.

“For my wife Mary, the word ‘wonderful’ is an understatement,” he said. “I can’t imagine having gone through this without her and my entire support team.”