Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
New Patient Appointment or 214-645-4673
From diagnosis to recovery, our patients share their journeys of resilience and determination. Patient experiences reflect the comprehensive care and expertise at the heart of our center. These stories inspire and offer hope, shedding light on the human side of cancer care and the transformative power of compassion and cutting-edge treatment.
When Spencer Swann fell ill with pneumonia after his 39th birthday, he found he had stage 3 multiple myeloma. With the care of his wife Anna, his support system, and his team at Simmons Cancer Center, he is now in remission. After undergoing an autologous stem cell transplant, the first outpatient transplant at our Cancer Care Outpatient Building, Spencer was given a “second birthday.” Now, he's training for his second marathon.
A sudden wave of pain and alarming symptoms brought Clinton Adger's active lifestyle to an abrupt halt. Clinton went to a local emergency department with unexplained back and shoulder pain. Symptoms quickly escalated. Within weeks, he couldn’t move his legs and needed a wheelchair to get around.
For Mark Feighner, it wasn't just one doctor or one nurse who made a difference in his care at UT Southwestern after he was diagnosed with two different cancers and underwent a bone marrow transplant. He had a whole team of experts involved. "I can tell you without exception they gave me the confidence that with their help, I was going to be able to make it through," Mr. Feighner says. Seven years after his transplant, he has his health back. "There's nothing that I can't do and enjoy. Every day is a blessing."
Julie Walsh could barely walk when she arrived at UT Southwestern in 2016. She had survived lymphoma nearly two decades earlier but sustained cardiovascular damage that had worsened over time. She found answers from Vlad Zaha, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Director of UTSW's Cardio-Oncology Program.
Bradley Cooke was given six months to live after receiving a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer from a local ER. "I needed a second opinion, and that is how we got to UT Southwestern," Bradley says. After radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery, Bradley was able to spend more time with his family on their farm.
Alaine Hardesty knew something was wrong as she became progressively unwell, experiencing loss of appetite, overwhelming fatigue, and debilitating fluid retention that left her legs swollen and abdomen distended.
In 2014, Maria Hernandez of Fort Worth was diagnosed with carcinoid tumors. A few years later, when she developed a condition known as neuroendocrine tumor, she was referred to UT Southwestern. Her specialized treatment is known as theranostics, which uses precision medicine to detect where the cancer is and then treat it with a therapeutic isotope.
AJ Aguirre went to the ED with lower back pain and found out he had a grapefruit-sized lymph node in his abdomen, resulting in a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. After six rounds of chemotherapy and 20 sessions of radiation, he is now three years in remission and has a new outlook on life.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer at age 38, Darshana Pattni followed a friend’s suggestion to come to UTSW where she felt “hope.” After chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, radiation, and DIEP flap surgery, she is now 5 years cancer-free.
From eastern Louisiana, Dawn Averett was told she only had 3 months to live when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2019, two decades after her battle with breast cancer. She was referred to UT Southwestern and drove 5 hours each way to receive treatment. “UT Southwestern means everything to me,” Dawn says. “I’m 5 years out, and I was given 3 months.”
After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis in Mississippi, DeLisa Johnigarn was told she would only have two years left to live. She then decided to come to UTSW to be near her children, and her care team and treatment at Simmons Cancer Center have led the road to her recovery.
Breast cancer survivor Janeye Pritchard was originally diagnosed after her first-ever mammogram at age 46. She encourages others to not wait to get their mammogram. Thankful for her care team at UT Southwestern Simmons Cancer Center, Janeye says they gave her a sense of “peace and calm, and I knew I was going to be okay.”
Catherine Spencer felt like a healthy 33 year old until she was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer. After a lumpectomy, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy, she is now getting back to doing the things she loves, thanks to her care at UT Southwestern Simmons Cancer Center.
Ryen Esquivel is all smiles and looking forward to life thanks to UT Southwestern and a second opinion that gave her a clean bill of health following a discouraging cancer diagnosis elsewhere that proved to be wrong.
Brianna Hinojosa-Smith was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer after discovering a mass. She received 16 weeks of chemotherapy and had seven surgeries at UT Southwestern. Now an 8-year survivor, she encourages others to seek medical attention if something feels wrong with their body.
Stephanie Davis was diagnosed with stage 3 HER2-positive breast cancer and received chemotherapy and radiation at UT Southwestern. After 5 years of remission, her cancer returned as metastatic breast cancer. She continues treatment and remains positive, urging others to get regular mammograms.
Angela Sells, a breast cancer survivor, chose UT Southwestern for its cutting-edge treatments and research. Diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer, Angela received targeted antibody therapy that cleared her scans within months. Her treatment has added years to her life, allowing her to enjoy time with her grandchildren.
Taffie Lynn Butters was diagnosed with stage 2b ductal carcinoma after a self-exam revealed irregularities. She underwent a mastectomy and received chemotherapy and radiation at UT Southwestern. Now cancer-free, Taffie has embraced a new outlook on life, focusing on joy and spending time with loved ones.
At 30, Roberto was diagnosed with rectal cancer and enrolled in a clinical trial at UT Southwestern that combined immunotherapy with chemotherapy and radiation. With support from his medical team and a group of fellow young adult cancer patients, he remains optimistic about his treatment.
One morning in 2012, Ralph Cousins woke up and noticed blood on his pillow. Three hard bumps on his head, which he worried might be skin cancer, turned out to be something much more rare: angiosarcoma, an aggressive form of cancer that affects the lining of blood vessels.
Mrs. DeLee, diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), joined a research program focused on targeted therapy. Instead of traditional chemotherapy, she took a new pill developed through the Beat AML project and is now in remission, living a normal life.
Yanni was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) while on vacation in Greece. After genomic testing at UT Southwestern, he received targeted therapy through the Beat AML trial. Now in recovery, Yanni is living a normal life without the need for hospitalization.
Chuck Dandridge was thrust into the unknown in 2013 when routine cholesterol and blood work at his doctor’s office revealed low blood counts. He was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a form of leukemia that by 2014 had progressed to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the most common – and most deadly – form of leukemia in adults.
Lonnie Freeman was feeling healthy when he went in for his 2017 checkup. He’d been having yearly physicals. He had a weekly practice of running and lifting weights. Other than an occasional hamburger, he ate a healthy diet of chicken, fish, and vegetables. He had no warning signs of prostate cancer.
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