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Hope for the Future

Program: Skull Base Surgery
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Andrew Schorr:

Dr. Hanna, so for people who are given this diagnosis, it's terrifying. There's a tumor and you're trying to figure out what it is. Has it spread to the brain? Where did it come from? Will you ever recover? It's terrifying to people, and these are not common cancers so people don't often have a frame of references. As you look at what you all were able to do as a multidisciplinary team now, what hope can you offer people?

Dr. Hanna:

Well, this is exactly what it's about, is hope. And I think that patients want to know the truth. First of all they want to know what they have, how serious it is, and what can be done about it. And one of the things that M. D. Anderson carries as a mission is we just don't give up. I mean we don't give false hope to people, but on the other hand we make it our passion and our mission to pursue every avenue that will bring at least a ray of hope for any patient. So I think that what patients are looking for is an accurate assessment, is a clear plan of action, a realistic assessment, certainly not underplaying or minimizing the condition but at the same time being courageous enough to say, you know, this is something that we can evaluate all the available options. Candid discussion is usually carried on with the patient and the family.

I remember with Mr. Ahrens, we talked about the seriousness of the condition, and obviously we talked about the potential for loss of vision in that eye either from the surgery or the radiation. We also talked that there ways to prevent that from happening and that we will do everything we can to do that.

And then team up with the patient. I think to work in isolation is to really lose a great resource, which is the patient. The patient needs to direct his or her own care in a way that they feel very comfortable with. Because once that happens they really become a champion of the whole process. They are engaged. They understand what's happening, and that in and of itself gives them hope. There is nothing more terrifying than having the diagnosis of cancer and then also on top of it have no control over the process whatsoever, that you feel that you are not part of the decisionmaking team, that you are just moved from one place to the other and things are going too rapid for you to understand why and when and where it's going. And I think when you talk about hope I think that understanding what is at stake, what are we going to do about it and having a clear time line of what to expect gives patients hope but also a great deal of comfort and satisfaction in the whole care cycle.

Andrew Schorr:

Well, thank you for that statement. I want to underscore one other thing, because I'm just bowled over as I interview really worldrenowned physicians such as yourselves from M. D. Anderson. It's not like we're the doctors and you're not and you don't have a say in it. It's just the opposite, as you said, Dr. Hanna. It's inclusive. You're all in it together.

Gerald, so here you are with your two doctors, leaders in the team that as you said at the outset saved your life. I know you've probably thanked them individually, but publicly is there anything you'd like to say to them?

Gerald:

Well, I feel like I owe my second chance on life to them. And down at M. D., there I have total respect and admiration for Dr. DeMonte and Dr. Hanna as being very competent and skilled in what they do. But I had a good experience at M. D. overall at all the different clinics and other doctors that I was able to see in preparation for all this and still ongoing monitoring.

One thing about M. D. Anderson, when you first go there it's kind of overwhelming. You have a lot on your mind. There's a large fear factor, and you have to kind of be patient and learn the system and how they operate there, and all you have to do is go ask someone and they're always willing to help and direct you. But sometime you have to wait much longer than maybe what you're used to in your normal family physician's office. But once you get into the office and you're face to face, you feel like you're the only patient that they have. And they're going to sit there and continue to answer your questions as long as you have questions to ask them. And I really appreciated that aspect of the whole process there at M. D. Anderson.

Andrew Schorr:

Well, Gerald, that is so well said. And I have to say as a leukemia patient from M. D. Anderson I felt exactly the same way. So for folks who are listening and they're at a distance, should you come to M. D. Anderson? Yes, it can be daunting because you have a lot on your mind, but I would say for everybody I've interviewed, and there have been many who've been touched by M. D. Anderson, that is pretty much the universal experience.

Gerald, as we wrap up I can only say that I know, and your doctors join me I'm sure, we're delighted you are flying again, and I think it's a huge deal that the FAA gave you flying status again, and I just wish you the joy of flying and a long life.

Gerald:

Well, thank you very much. I hope I can do it for many years to come.

Andrew Schorr:

Right. And you've got that new granddaughter. Is it Ariana?

Gerald:

That is correct. Yeah, she's one of my pride and joys right now, and I'm glad I'm here to watch her grow.

Andrew Schorr:

Okay. Well, you're going to dance at her wedding, okay, grandpa?

Gerald:

I hope so.

Andrew Schorr:

I hope so. Dr. Franco DeMonte, thank you so much for your dedication to people with these very serious and what have been really hard to get at cancers and the innovation that you've been doing. Thank you so much for what you do with your team.

Dr. DeMonte:

Thank you for your time tonight, too.

Andrew Schorr:

And Dr. Ehab Hanna, thank you with the head and neck surgery group and the dynamic duo you've got going there and then all the team that work with you. We wish you all the best as you develop new procedures and continue to give people hope.

Dr. Hanna:

Thank you very much.

Andrew Schorr:

Well, this has been another edition of Patient Power. You've been listening to Patient Power sponsored by M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. I'm Andrew Schorr. Thanks for joining us.

Please remember the opinions expressed on Patient Power are not necessarily the views of M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, its medical staff or Patient Power. Our discussions are not a substitute for seeking medical advice or care from your own doctor. That’s how you’ll get care that’s most appropriate for you.

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