Ray Phillips

Ozark, AL

Colorectal Cancer Survivor

When Genny and I moved to Alabama to retire, after 25 years of service in the fire department and the last 12 of those as fire marshal, I wasn't thinking we'd be facing any more life-threatening situations.

But, I was wrong. In May 2001, when I had my annual colonoscopy, my doctor found a cancerous polyp. Four days after he removed it, I began to hemorrhage. Five rectal surgeries and 12 pints of blood later, Genny and I are convinced the only thing that stopped the blood was God, in answer to so many prayers. The doctor had no answer as to why the hemorrhaging suddenly stopped.

As follow-up, once I was recovered, he wanted me to see a colorectal surgeon at a major university hospital and also undergo some radiation. When I went to see the surgeon, he initially told me he'd go in and do a bit of resection and that everything would be fine. He wanted to see me after the radiation. However, following the radiation, when I went to see him in March 2002, he suddenly told me I'd need a complete colostomy, and that, if I didn't get it, I'd be dead in six months. Quite a shock after his previous rosy outlook.

Genny and I were discussing his change of attitude on our way home and decided we wanted to seek other care. We knew about Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) from two of our friends and about the wonderful work CTCA does, so we called. In a few days, we were on a plane heading to CTCA in Tulsa.

When we walked through the doors, we immediately felt the compassion and love of the people, and I knew we were in the right place. We decided to transfer our care to CTCA. We visited with our team of doctors and went through a battery of tests. The tests showed nothing needing treatment, so they told us to go home and come back in six months.

Things went along fine for several years. I continued to return to CTCA every six months for monitoring. Then, in 2006, the carcinogenic embryonic agents (CEA) in my blood work started to rise. Additional tests showed two spots on my liver. Dr. Ketterl, my oncologist at CTCA, started me on chemotherapy, which I was on for a year. I also underwent radiation, via the TomoTherapy® HI-ART machine, for 10 days and had chemo embolization. At this point, my cancer is being well managed, and I'm doing great. I'm still taking some chemo, but I'm also a five-year survivor and very excited about taking part in the CTCA Celebrate Life tree-planting ceremony and celebration luncheon this month (May 2008).

At CTCA, I believe everything they make available to cancer patients has helped me. For example, in Alabama, for the past six and a half years, I've been director of emergency management for my county. It requires a lot of public speaking. When they found those spots on my liver, I'd suddenly find myself breaking down in tears when I'd be in the middle of a public talk. Dr. Wakefield, one of the CTCA Mind/Body Medicine psychologists, helped me work through a number of unresolved grief issues related to the deaths of many family members and now the thought that I might be dying as well. He was an incredible help in enabling me to become healthy in mind and emotion. Genny and I have used the chapel and been helped by the chaplains in Pastoral Care every time we've come to CTCA. The naturopath, the team of physicians who have cared for me, supported me, prayed for me, like Dr. Taylor, before surgery or procedures, have all been incredible.

I believe God sits on the top of this organization. I've never experienced similar doctor/patient relationships anywhere. And at CTCA, the doctors all take the time to sit down and explain things to you. Communication is open.

I know the Lord has a reason for everything that happens in my life. I've always been His child. I talk with Him all the time, no matter where I am. The time I spend with the Lord is the strength of my faith, whether I'm talking to Him as I drive, when I'm alone in a room, wherever I am. And I feel His healing hands on my shoulders. I've seen Him answer so many prayers. My being alive today is a direct answer to prayer.

I believe He even allows pain and adversity to help you realize what you really have. You often take it all for granted otherwise. Many times you don't really appreciate the Lord and spiritual issues unless you go through something like this. And obstacles, when you accept them, tolerate them and pray through them, make you a better person.

Another blessing we've received at CTCA is the friends we've developed with people all over the world & from Hawaii, Japan, California, Arizona, all over. We pray for them; they pray for us. It's wonderful.

Nowadays, I'm no longer involved with emergency management for my county, but I still go out and do public speaking. But, this time, I do it as a Cancer Fighter. I've developed a Power Point presentation, and I go to churches and talk about CTCA. No other facility in my experience offers the same kind of support from the CEO on down for cancer patients and their families.