Cancer Patient Stories

At MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, our patients are the heart and soul of our efforts to improve cancer care. Read their inspiring cancer patient stories below, and learn why they chose to seek care from our team of experts.

CAR-T-cell therapy opens up the world to lymphoma survivor

a man sits in a relaxed manner in a comfortable chair and chats with a woman across the room

When Marcus Humphrey first met with Dr. Brian Hess, he had one of the worst cases of lymphoma that Hess had ever seen. After two rounds of different chemotherapy protocols failed to control the cancer, Humphrey decided to pursue CAR-T-cell therapy.

This highly specialized treatment isn't widely available and comes with the risk of serious side effects – but Humphrey is now preparing for a trip he never could have imagined taking a year ago.

Read about his journey

immunotherapy patient Andy Abrams smiles and looks relaxed during his infusion treatment

Colon & Lung Cancer

To Catch a Cancer

Andy Abrams likes to say he’s the poster child for routine cancer screenings. In his case, one screening led to the diagnosis and treatment of two cancers.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer Survivor

Prostate cancer survivor shares his story to encourage other men to know their options and take action.

a woman stands in her booth surrounded by her art

Oral Cancer

"It's been an experience," is Susan Shelton's understated way of explaining her journey with oral cancer.

a woman points off camera in a goofy manner while another woman looks at her and laughs

Ovarian Cancer

Mirroring Positivity

Carol Sullivan was stunned to learn she had ovarian cancer. She decided to pursue aggressive medical options - and to consciously maintain a positive mindset.

a doctor and patient pose in an exam room with a small framed artwork

Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm

HIPEC Hope

A specialized chemotherapy treatment allowed a retired art teacher to continue with her love of painting, despite a rare cancer diagnosis.

a man carries a woman in ankle deep water at the beach

Esophageal Cancer

After esophageal cancer treatment, Huger man is grateful for time with his family.

“ My care team felt like family. I never felt like I was a bother, just being cared for in a professional way. I felt like people really loved me, and that matters a whole lot. ”

Nick Charalambous, lymphoma survivor
Nick's story

Nick Charalambous stands next to his bike holding a bike helmet

a couple poses on a cruise ship deck in front of a sunset

Lung Cancer

Robotic Lung Surgery

Debbie Grenier dreaded surgery. She still has major scars from a surgery 45 years ago. So she was astonished at her experience undergoing robotic lung surgery.

a woman sits on a wooden bench in her backyard with a Chihuahua on her lap

Multiple Myeloma

Dr. Hamza Hashmi hopes an immunotherapy drug in clinical trials will one day lead to a cancer cure. For now, it's enough to help one woman lead a normal life.

portrait of a young teen leaning against a wall in a hospital

Lung Cancer

Cancer Collaboration

Adult and pediatric doctors pooled their expertise to ensure a young patient would have few physical reminders of an extraordinary lung cancer surgery.

a young woman in a white coat poses in a garden

Lymphoma

Young Cancer Survivor

For Hannah Neimy, there's no better place to learn to be a doctor than the place where she was treated for Hodgkin lymphoma.

Colorectal Cancer

Symptoms Add Up

In retrospect, Adriel Nutter sees that she was sick long before her colorectal cancer diagnosis. But as a young adult, this cancer wasn't on her radar.

Colorectal Cancer

Colon Cancer

No one thought Ebony Holmes' symptoms could be cancer. Unfortunately, she's part of the trend of younger adults being diagnosed with colon cancer.

“ And when you can look back and say, ‘Dang, that’s what I’ve come through?’ I mean, that just gives you chills within itself. To know that you conquered this and you’re a survivor – that’s huge. ”

Danielle Lee, leukemia and breast cancer survivor
Danielle's story

a smiling woman with a nearly bald head wearing a light pink shirt

a smiling couple pose in a cancer center hallway

Lung Cancer

Patient Advocate

As part of a Stand Up 2 Cancer grant, Diane Juitt is now sharing her perspective as a patient advocate after beating lung cancer.

Breast Cancer

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials coordinator Alexandria Green falls in love with all her patients. But she's formed a particularly strong bond with one in particular.

a husband and wife, dual cancer survivors, share a laugh

Lung & Breast Cancer

Living with Cancer

Science and faith: The Hardys have survived two cancer diagnoses thanks to clinical trials and support from faith, family and friends.

Breast Cancer

Stage 0

A breast cancer survivor found a special connection with a mammography tech who could truly say "I've been in your shoes."

Breast Cancer

Positive Attitude

Triple negative breast cancer has been a life-changing adventure for Joannah Sampson, and now she wants to give back.

Breast Cancer

Mammogram Importance

Aleasa Barry has a simple message – knowing you have cancer isn't half as scary as not knowing because you won't get screened.

Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer Screening

An annual lung scan caught cancer early for one - now former - smoker.

selfie of smiling man and woman dressed up with water behind them

Lung Cancer

Managing Cancer Pain

Proper pain management allowed Julie Jablin, who has stage 4 lung cancer, to attend a wedding overseas and enjoy everyday life.

photo of a young woman in tee shirt and jeans posing with bike

Thyroid Cancer

Student Rider

OT student Bridget Horgan leads LOWVELO bike team after successful thyroid cancer treatment at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center.

a seated man and woman smile at the camera along with their large white fluffy dog, who sits next to the woman and appears to smile

Esthesioneuroblastoma

Cancer Survivorship

A new initiative at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center aims to improve survivorship care for cancer patients.

in an exam room, a doctor stands and looks at a computer screen while a patient stands slightly behind her also looking at the screen

Cervical Cancer

Vulnerable Moments

After a routine well-woman visit led to a diagnosis of cervical cancer, Sara Couch wondered if she would see her baby's first birthday.

a man running in a race in a tree lined park wears an unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt and floppy hat and grins for the camera while gesturing to the runner next to him

Testicular Cancer

Raising Awareness

After surviving two bouts of testicular cancer, Michael Wiegand uses humor to raise awareness and money for research.

picture of pharmacist Emily Ware, who helps people quit smoking, and patient Kimberley Trump side hugging and smiling at the camera

Smoking Cessation

Help to Quit

Kimberley Trump tried to quit smoking over the years. With the help of the MUSC Tobacco Treatment Program, she thinks she's finally succeeded.

Melanoma

Immunotherapy Trial

A clinical trial gave one melanoma patient access to cutting-edge treatment before the medication came to market.

Dr. John Kaczmar (left) and Russell Breault (right) inside a Hollings examination room. Photo by Josh Birch

Head & Neck Cancer

Promising Trial

A Hollings clinical trial for HPV-related head and neck cancer is helping Russell Breault get back to fishing and spending time with family.

Multiple Myeloma

Raising Awareness

If you don’t know the signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma, you’re a part of Tiffany Williams' mission in life.

Glenn Bachman (right) credits his wife (left) for helping him throughout his cancer journey. Photo by Josh Birch

Multiple Myeloma

Successful Trial

Glenn Bachmann is helping to move the science forward by participating in a clinical trial at Hollings in the hopes of helping other patients.

Leukemia

Survivor Sings

Vance Kennedy loves to sing. Despite battling lymphoma and then undergoing a stem cell transplant for leukemia, he hasn't missed a beat.

Cervical Cancer

Survivor Inspires

After battling cervical cancer, Mikiko Dollard is inspiring others with her story – including her daughter, who wants to be an oncology nurse.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate Screenings

After battling prostate cancer twice, Friedrich Andreas is sharing his story with others in hopes of raising awareness about routine screenings.

Bruce Dales stands with his bike with water in the background

Head & Neck Cancer

Keeping Active

After a cancer diagnosis, LOWVELO rider Bruce Dales turned to running and cycling groups to become more active and healthy.