Stories of Strength
A Second Chance for Hen House Regulars
Screenings reveal lung cancer in long-time friends.
For 40 years, friends Roy Robinson and Bobby Peeler have shared laughs and stories together, and for the last 20 years, they have done so over breakfast at the Arcola Hen House, where everyone knows their names.
More recently, they shared a different type of experience: receiving care from the Sarah Bush Lincoln Pulmonology Clinic and the Regional Cancer Center staff—services that helped them both battle lung cancer.
While both men were lifelong smokers, Roy had also been exposed to agent orange during his service in the Vietnam War. Despite their history of exposure to harmful chemicals, neither ever experienced symptoms that gave them worry. “I get X-rays every year, and last year my doctor found a spot and referred me to Sarah Bush Lincoln,” Roy said. “I never would have guessed that I had lung cancer.”
“Three spots were discovered in my lungs last year,” Bobby said. “I always felt just fine, so I was shocked when they told me.”
Some signs of lung cancer are worsening cough, loss of appetite or shortness of breath, but some lung cancer can present with no symptoms at all. Because neither Roy nor Bobby experienced any symptoms, they are grateful to SBL Pulmonologist Preeti Patel, MD, for identifying the nodules in their lungs.
Dr. Patel utilizes the ION robotic system, which is able to reach all parts of the lung to obtain biopsies of a suspicious nodules. This technology is only available at select hospitals across the country, making it’s presence at Sarah Bush Lincoln a rare and powerful tool in the early detection of lung cancer. Dr. Patel performed the biopsies for Bobby and Roy late last summer, and after the diagnoses, the two began treatment at the SBL Regional Cancer Center.
“She is so great to talk with, and she made sure to explain everything throughout the process. That made me feel comfortable,” Roy said.
Bobby added: “She never made me feel rushed or like I didn’t matter, and we are both grateful that she offers the ION as an option to identify cancer.”
Both men underwent chemotherapy and radiation and were treated by SBL Oncologist Kuppuswamy Jagarlamudi, MD, who they said was terrific throughout treatment. The nodules in both men’s lungs have since been eradicated. Roy still gets check-ups to monitor his progress, and Bobby still takes some medication.
But months removed from the initial diagnosis and treatment, the two are better and still meet at the Hen House for breakfast regularly, speaking with other patrons and the staff like nothing changed.
“I don’t really dwell on everything that happened,” Roy said. “I know one thing: I’m going to live until I die.”
“I don’t think about it either,” Bobby said. “The only thing you can do is keep going. Thinking about it will make it worse.”
The two also encourage anyone who is a lifelong smoker, whether they experience symptoms or not, to get screened for lung cancer.
To learn more about the SBL Regional Cancer Center, call 217 258-2250 or the SBL Pulmonology Clinic at 217-258-4158.