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Joseph Palmer
Small Cell Lung Cancer
When Joseph Palmer planned his retirement, he figured he would spend time relaxing with friends and family - which include 5 children and 16 grandchildren. He was not thinking about lung cancer. But that’s exactly what happened.
After spitting up blood, Joseph went to his doctor. A biopsy at a nearby hospital would confirm he had lung cancer. Although Joseph could have sought treatment right there, he wanted a second opinion.
“I knew I had to go to Fox Chase because they specialize in cancer.”
“When I heard it was cancer, I knew I had to go to Fox Chase because they specialize in cancer,” recalled Joseph.
Before beginning treatment, Joseph first had to quit smoking, a 40-year habit.
"It was either quit smoking or die."
“Stopping smoking was the easiest thing I did,” said Joseph. “It was either quit or die.”
Joseph’s next step was to see Dr. Ranee Mehra, a medical oncologist at Fox Chase who specializes in treating patients with lung cancer.
"Dr. Mehra is a terrific doctor."
“Dr. Mehra looked at my films and decided I was a candidate for a clinical trial. She’s a terrific doctor,” said Joseph. He was also treated by Mark Buyyonouski, a radiation oncologist at Fox Chase.
Joseph enrolled in a clinical trial, which is a research study to find new approaches to treat certain cancers. He had chemotherapy, followed by radiation therapy, followed by treatment on a phase I clinical trial.
“Today, I’m doing pretty well. I'm not quite cured, but have been doing well with ongoing treatment through another clinical trial,” said Joseph, who had to take an early retirement from his job at St. Joseph’s Villa, a nursing home for nuns.
"I’m grateful to be alive."
“It’s not the type of retirement I was hoping for, but I’m grateful to be alive,” he continued.
His wife, Sheryl, who was with him every step of the way, has worked for the School District of Philadelphia for 19 years as a guard.
“I drive Sheryl to and from work, and I get to take my grandson to school each morning. Lung cancer forced me to slow down. So I’ve become a chauffer!” Joseph laughed.
"Fox Chase is a great hospital and the nurses are excellent."
He summed it up, “Fox Chase is a great hospital and the nurses are excellent. People travel from all over to see the doctors at Fox Chase. I would recommend it to anyone who has cancer.”
Learn more about lung cancer treatment at Fox Chase Cancer Center.