Patient Stories
Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region
Edwin - Lung Cancer Hasn't Slowed Him Down
In the 12 years since he was diagnosed with lung cancer, 75-year-old Edwin is amazed at how many fellow cancer survivors he's met. Meeting that many survivors is unusual enough, but he's also surprised at how many share the same Sutter doctor.
"When I tell people I see Dr. Graves, so many tell me they see him too, or he treats their mother or uncle," says Edwin. "There are a lot of people alive out there because of him,"
Gregory Graves, M.D. has been treating Edwin's non-small cell carcinoma since his 1996 diagnosis. During their first appointment, while sitting on his stool reading over Edwin's chart, Dr. Graves calmly turned to him and said, "Yes, I can help you."
After traditional surgery to remove the upper lobe in Edwin's right lung, no signs of cancer manifested for the next six years. When a six-month checkup scan indicated its return, Edwin wasn't afraid. Again, Dr. Graves calmly looked over his tests and told him not to worry, "I've got more tricks up my sleeve than I did six years ago. We'll get you taken care of."
As one of the pioneers of radiofrequency ablation (RFA), a technique that uses a small needle-electrode inserted into a tumor to destroy cancer cells, Dr. Graves was well prepared. Edwin underwent the RFA procedure a few days later and was home the same day. Since then, Edwin has undergone the procedure two more times, with minimal discomfort each time.
"There's been evidence of the carcinoma throughout the years, but Dr. Graves keeps his eye on it," says Edwin. "I feel almost like a spectator, I've had no discomfort and no sense of threat, yet I know that twenty years ago I wouldn't have had a shot at being alive today."
Edwin and his wife Laura, age 76, married for 28 years with six children between them, are more active than many people half their age. Though Edwin decided it was time to hang up his pilot's wings 2 years ago, the couple still own several rental properties, personally maintaining and renovating each one. "We finished a complete overhaul of a property last year. And Laura was thinking about getting her contractor's license, but our kids threw a fit and told us to slow down."
When asked why he's done so well in spite of his diagnosis, Edwin is quick to respond, "We've been blessed with excellent doctors and the hospital has been marvelous. Everyone there and everything they do is miraculous."
More information about Sutter Cancer Center.
Back to top | More Patient Stories