Patient Stories

On September 15, 2008, I started out the day as a healthy, 52-year-old, non-smoker. Cancer was the last thing on my mind.

Eight Years Strong: Surviving Pancreatic Cancer
In April 2010, a then 59-year-old Steve Lockwood was experiencing abdominal pain.

I spent my life being athletic and even traveling for scuba diving and trekking trips around the world.

In 1999, I had an extremely aggressive form of advanced ovarian cancer and my life expectancy was measured in weeks to months.

Shortly after Ryan Kuper and his girlfriend moved to their new home in Glendale, California, Ryan started experiencing occasional shooting pains in his lower abdomen.

A native of Colorado, this adventurous spirit moved with her husband to Alaska where they served at the Skwentna checkpoint

At the time, Angie was an oncology nurse at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. As the mother of two young children, she found herself confronting some tough decisions.

By definition, the word “survivor” can mean one of two things. A person remaining alive after an event in which others have died. Or, a person who copes well with difficulties in their life.

I went against the protocol recommended by my two Atlanta oncologists, in order to go with Dr. Nagourney's functional profile to treat my Stage 4 Non Hodgkins Lymphoma.

November 1998 remains an unforgettable time in my life.

"I live in an area infested with gang members and drug dealers, but I’m not afraid of them. They’re afraid of me,"

Very few who have not had cancer would believe how little is known about treatment and how ineffective most of it is. As this becomes evident we are dying. It is too late for most.

Sharon Williamson, 65, is no stranger to cancer. In her early 30’s she was diagnosed with cancer in both breasts

As a 44-year-old, neonatal intensive care nurse, at one of the largest medical centers on the west coast, the last thing I expected my doctor to tell me was that I had cancer.

When Jody King, RN, was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer, her well-respected oncologist recommended a standard course of treatment.

At the beginning of February 2012, Eliza Ho went to see her doctor about the stomach pains she was having. My primary physician sent me for an ultrasound, which showed a huge mass in my liver.

After losing her two sisters, brother and husband to cancer, she thought the logical thing would be to start planning her last few months.

In late February 2010, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer (non small cell lung cancer). That same day, I went to an oncologist who suggested a particular chemotherapy protocol.

Myriam Oliver was an avid runner and the caretaker of three sons (one of which is autistic) and an ill mother-in-law.

Looking back to October 2008, I am amazed how I was guided to Dr. Robert Nagourney and his groundbreaking laboratory Rational Therapeutics (now Nagourney Cancer Institute)

I was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in late August 2013.

After being treated for several months for a pinched nerve in my neck, I was admitted in October 2013, to the local hospital through the ER with a collapsed lung.

I was diagnosed in November 1999 with a rare leukemia called Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL). It is a rare, slow growing cancer of the blood

Diagnosis: Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer with 6 Months to Live
"Six months or less is the prognosis my oncologist gave me as I sat in her office on May 4, 2009. My stage 4 pancreatic cancer had metastasized to my liver

Dr. Beebee, an 80 year old pediatrician, presented to Dr. Nagourney's office with extensive lymphadenopathy.

Healthy has been my lifestyle for as long as I can remember. I eat mostly fresh fruits,

"You have Stage 3 triple negative breast cancer" were words that I never dreamed I would hear.

My name is David Hanbidge. I was diagnosed at 57 years old and I am proud to say that I have reached the 16-year mark in my journey to be cured of small cell lung cancer.

While on vacation with his wife in 2005, Bill Howard discovered a lump in his breast. “Men don’t get lumps in their breasts,” he thought.

I am a 48-year-old male, who after a weekend of sharp abdominal pain and a visit to the emergency room

Our daughter, Brittany (16 years old) went through several serious surgeries in the fall for mast cell sarcoma.

In February 2011, Ken Baumheckel was experiencing pain in the area just above the lumbar curve in his spine.

Jeff Ticehurst was 58 years old and in pretty good health when he started losing weight and his red blood cell count dropped.

In 2005, I was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer.

In January of 2003, Kathy felt a lump in her right breast. After seeking medical advice, a biopsy was performed and her worst fears were confirmed.

Walt Wilson is an active man. He owns a small business and he is passionate about flying.

One year ago I was diagnosed with Stage 4 stomach cancer and told by two doctors that I had three months to live.

In April 2004, George Kalogridis was diagnosed with stage III Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. As he faced his own diagnosis, he immediately remembered a friend who had been diagnosed with stage IV lymphoma.

Those were just some of the comments from the six oncologists and four surgeons that I saw in consultation for my advanced lung cancer.

Rick Carroll was no stranger to life in the fast lane: this former Marine sergeant loved to ride his motorcycle and had a penchant for hard partying.