Patient learns cancer care at Allina Health is a group effort
“I had no appetite,” Tom said. “So, when I got home, I went to the doctor.”
Scans revealed that a pancreatic cyst pressing on Tom’s stomach was causing his loss of appetite. The cyst was part of a much bigger problem.
“There was damage across his pancreas,” said Ashwin Kamath, MD, hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeon at Allina Health Cancer Institute. “My concern was that this was all related to pre-cancerous cysts within the pancreas.”
Dr. Kamath’s recommendation was that Tom needed his entire pancreas removed.
Tom says he felt the teamwork at Allina Health even before his surgery, and it continued afterward.
“I had so many different doctors coming in and they were all so knowledgeable. I felt surrounded by care, competence and compassion.”
Meanwhile, post-operative tests revealed cancer was present in Tom’s pancreas.
“Of course, my heart sank,” Tom said. “But I'm so grateful that it was discovered so early.”
Tom completed chemotherapy and has already had one clear scan. He’s busy making plans to return to his pastoral work as an international teacher in Cameroon, West Africa.
Watch the video to learn more about Tom’s case, his cancer treatment and how he’s doing today.
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