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Surgery transforms fear into hope for survivor by Molly Hulett Special to Checkup Tom Tennant snuck his first cigarette at age 8. The lifelong smoker used cigarettes to alleviate stress, enhance social situations and curtail boredom—an intoxicating habit that lingered in his lungs. In September 2000, Tennant noticed streaks of blood when he coughed. Assuming he had a cold, the 55-year-old ignored the troublesome cough for three weeks until his symptoms demanded a doctor's attention. Diagnostic tests revealed a cancerous tumor on his right lung. “I always knew the possibility of cancer was there, but I thought I had cigarette-resistant genes,” said Tennant. “I was in denial that it would ever happen to me. When I found out I had lung cancer, I was stunned. Growing up, my experience was that cancer equaled death. I thought I was going to die.” According to the American Cancer Society, Tennant is one of more than 170,000 Americans who are diagnosed with lung cancer each year. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for men and women in the United States. Tennant's fear began to ease when he met with Carolyn Reed, M.D., a thoracic surgeon and director of MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. “The center has a team of physicians known throughout the United States for their work with lung cancer,” Reed said. “Our specialists collaborate to develop the best treatment plan for each patient. I remind my patients that they are not statistics; they are people. Each patient is unique, and we tailor treatments to meet individual needs.” After more tests, Tennant had surgery approximately a month after his diagnosis to remove the upper lobe of his right lung. He spent two weeks in the hospital before going home for extended recovery. The determined warehouse manager returned to work part-time only four weeks after surgery and had resumed a full schedule by the start of the new year. More than two years later, a grateful Tennant attributes his successful recovery to prayer, the devoted attention of his then-fiancée—now wife—Patty, and the outstanding care he received at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. “Dr. Reed walks on water,” he said. “She and the rest of the staff there saved my life.” Wearing his 20-inch scar like a badge of courage, Tennant shares his positive experience with friends going through cancer. “I want cancer patients to know there is hope. With hope, we have a dream. And with a chance, what more do we need?” Thoracic Oncology Program The Thoracic Oncology Program at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center helps people with lung cancer, esophageal cancer and other thoracic malignancies. A nationally renowned team of specialists diagnoses, discusses and develops individualized treatment plans for each patient. The multidisciplinary approach allows patients to see all the experts they need in one convenient visit. Treatment may include state-of-the-art surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and clinical trials that are not yet available to the public.  For information, call MUSC Health Connection at 792-1414 or (800) 424-MUSC.  Editor's note: The article is reprinted from Checkup newsletter, produced by MUSC Creative Services.      Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.