Saved My Life

In June of 2020 I went in for a semi-annual checkup with Dr Philip Maple, my PCP. I had just celebrated my 80th birthday and to all appearances I was in excellent health. I exercised regularly, played golf several times a week, and stayed busy doing chores around our small ranch. All my vital sign were in reasonable range and I didn't smoke or drink alcohol to excess. During the exam Dr Maple heard some noise in my lungs, which was not excessive but caused him some concern, so as a precautionary measure sent to get an X-ray. While I was driving home he called me asked me to return to the radiology lab immediately because the X-ray did not look good. They performed a CTScan on my lungs and it disclosed widespread small cell carcinoma, with dozens of small to medium-sized tumors throughout both lungs. Subsequent exams found a lesion in my brain. At Dr Maple's direction I embarked on a long series of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation. Four year have passed, and I'm still here. The cancer in my lungs is in remission, with all tumors shrinking or disappearing and the brain tumor arrested, though still not gone. I have recovered most of my strength from 24 months of heavy therapy and am back playing golf again, exercising, and enjoying life and my grandchildren. While Dr Maple was not involved directly in my cancer he directed me to the oncologist who supervised it, and it was his alertness and concern which resulted in detecting the unexpected illness early enough to add several years to my life. I am still here due to his dedication.