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Gerald’s Experience at M. D. Anderson

Program: Skull Base Surgery
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Gerald:

Well, actually as I recall I went to M. D. on a Monday and I spent pretty much that whole week various days being tested. M. D. Anderson is very thorough, and even if you come there with some previous testing results they want to verify everything to make sure I guess they don't do a misdiagnosis. And so they suggested a treatment option for me of the surgery on December 20th followed up with radiation, you know, maybe six weeks later. And I really liked that option better than the previous option which I had been offered at the first hospital, and fortunately and lucky for me I think I have an excellent team down there between Dr. DeMonte and Dr. Hanna.

Andrew Schorr:

We're going to meet them in just a second. I think we should tell people how the story's worked out. So there you were a pilot. You're diagnosed with a very serious cancer deep in your skull. You have surgery for it and radiation where obviously it's complicated and we'll learn more about that where you want to hit the cancer with the radiation and not healthy tissue. How has it worked out, Gerald, and have you been able to return to your life of flying?

Gerald:

Pretty much. I feel back to doing pretty much all the activities that I did prior to cancer and my surgery and radiation. In fact I have been able to get an FAA first class flight physical back. I am back in the air flying, which I feel very fortunate. I didn't think I was going to have that opportunity in 2004. So any negative aftereffects from the surgery or radiation that I have are easy to live with, and I feel they've been a small price to pay for a second chance in life.

Andrew Schorr:

There you go. I guess the key question is, Gerald, do you think the multidisciplinary team related to skull base surgery at M. D. Anderson, do you think they saved your life?

Gerald:

Oh, I very definitely feel they saved my life. I don't think I had this cancer for a very long period of time because the symptoms came on I thought fairly rapidly, so I have to believe that it was probably growing rapidly and had they not been able to perform the surgery and the treatment which I received I probably wouldn't be here today.

Andrew Schorr:

Well, we're certainly glad you are. Now, I know listening to this are two of the doctors who played a key role in the team in helping you get back to the health you have. So let's meet them. You mentioned them.

One is Dr. Ehab Hanna. Dr. Hanna is professor of surgery and medical director for the head and neck multidisciplinary care center at M. D. Anderson. Dr. Hanna, welcome to you.

Dr. Hanna:

Thank you. I'm glad to be here.

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