Richard Brown of Inkster, MI Celebrates Five Years of Cancer Survivorship

On Friday, June 8, 2012, 80 five-year cancer survivors from around the country were greeting by a 40 ft walk down a red carpet as they celebrated their triumph when they attended Celebrate Life® 2012 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) at Midwestern Regional Medical Center (Midwestern) -- an inspirational and extraordinary celebration of five years of cancer survivorship.

Richard Brown, prostate cancer survivor from Inkster, MI, was one of the 80 celebrants that attended the event joined by doctors, hospital administrators, clinical team members, caregivers and family members and members of the local community for a tree-planting ceremony, a reception and luncheon, and a Celebrate Life 2012 Survivorship Ceremony.

Survivors were joined by CTCA Celebrate Life revelers and participated in a commemorative tree planting ceremony, which symbolizes the wonder of life and growth. Today marks the 24th year a tree has been planted in honor of each five-year survivor, providing Lake County, Illinois a thriving forest of trees representing cancer survivorship.

During the ceremony, celebrants released five white doves representing each year of cancer-fighting survival while treating at CTCA at Midwestern. 

The celebrants’ luncheon included delicious gourmet offerings of natural and organic foods, all of which were prepared by the culinary team from the Wholesome Bistro – the CTCA in-hospital restaurant.  Many of the menu items came directly from the CTCA-created Wholesome Temptation cookbook, which offers cancer patients delicious, all-natural, easy-to-prepare recipes categorized by common cancer treatment symptoms such as taste changes, weight loss, sore mouth and digestive challenges.

All five-year survivors were honored on stage in front of family and guests for their exceptional courage, strength and determination.

Brown’s PSA levels had been suspiciously high on past visits to his doctor.  In 2006, he was devastated when the tests came back confirming that he had prostate cancer. 

While researching possible treatment options, Brown’s good friend suggested that he contact CTCA.  After calling and speaking with an Oncology Information Specialist, Brown made the decision to treat at CTCA. “They are not just a place of last resort; they can help you now. They have the means and the know-how,” he said.

Working in harmony with Brown’s integrative care team, Bernard V. Eden, MD, Director of Radiation Oncology and Radiation Oncologist at CTCA at Midwestern treated Brown with Calypso 4d localization and a targeted radiation therapy and chemotherapy.  “I was elated to learn that my prostate would remain intact,” said Brown.  “The nurses treat you like family. This is what CTCA at Midwestern calls the Mother Standard of care.  Everyone acknowledges you and treats you like a person, not just a person with cancer.”

Brown works as a supervisor in public housing in Inkster, Michigan. He is an avid fisherman and fondly remembers exchanging fishing stories with the driver who took him to Zion, IL from the airport. Brown returns to CTCA at Midwestern every six months for follow-up care.

 “At Cancer Treatment Centers of America, cancer patients and their families benefit from a fully integrated, personalized cancer treatment experience called Patient Empowered Care®, which includes state-of the art treatment protocols and complementary therapies delivered by an Empowerment Team of cancer experts,” said Anne Meisner, president and CEO at CTCA at Midwestern.  “We empower our patients to take control of their cancer, and we treat each patient as though they are a member of our own family.  It is our honor to share in and celebrate their survivorship journey,” she added.