Cancer and Clinical Services Patient Stories

At 67 years old, Scott Hinsch had been a serious long-distance runner for 35 years and continued to lead an active, normal and healthy life.

The night of August 23rd, it all changed.

Scott began exhibiting a number of strange symptoms, especially excessive night sweats. Eventually, Scott was admitted to a regional hospital, where days of testing and alarming vitals numbers had Scott and his wife, Marsha, concerned.

After four days in the hospital, Scott explained, “I said, ‘If you think I have leukemia or another type of cancer, please tell me.’ The next day, they told me they still did not have bone marrow test results back, but it was time for me to be transferred to The James.”

“The James saved my life (on) September 18th,” Scott continued.

“The fact that I came in with no other complications, like heart disease, excessive drinking or diabetes, probably saved my life,” he said. “The James kept me alive in those first few critical days before the diagnosis even came.”

Diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the bone marrow and spleen, Scott became even more concerned. “My sister is a retired oncologist, and I remembered her saying that whenever the cancer is in more than one place, it’s (often) worse.

“I was down after the diagnosis,” Scott said, “dazed and a little removed as I processed it.”

But James hematologist Lapo Alinari, MD, had a heart-to-heart talk with him.

“I know what’s on your mind,” Dr. Alinari said, “and I know what you’re doing, but I need you to be up and going. You told me you are going to work hard, so I want to see you work hard.”

That did it. “Dr. Alinari did me a favor,” Scott said. “He was my head coach and I was going to listen. He helped save my life.

“They told me that the lymphoma was treatable,” he continued, “more treatable than some other forms of cancer. I realized then that we were going to fight this. I would do whatever they said. They did what they had to do, and I did what I had to do to kick this thing.”

Another James hematology expert, Narendranath Epperla, MD, started Scott on six rounds of chemo separated by two and a half weeks. Although the first round was difficult, he began to get stronger and managed the treatment well.

“Dr. Epperla hit the right formula. When we sat down to go over the treatment plan, he gave us confidence,” Scott shared. “He said he believed this plan would work, and he wanted me to believe in myself, too. It was comforting to know that my chemotherapy would be tailored to me, that they had made it for me, and it was personalized.

“The care was unbelievable,” Scott continued, “and everyone was amazing. They cared, they calmed me down and took their time explaining everything. Nobody seemed put out by my questions or concerns, and no one ever rushed me.”

Before he left, Scott’s nurses spent extra time telling him how to live as a cancer survivor and how to live in hope.

“As I left the hospital, they tricked me into taking the employee elevator instead of the regular one. The doors to the elevators opened and there were 22 staff members by the elevator with signs surprising me, congratulating me,” he said. “It was the best moment of my life… a surprise so full of emotion, the unknown coming to fruition. What a way to leave.”

Today, Scott’s blood counts are ahead of schedule, he has returned to work part-time, he’s re-engaged in a six-days-a-week exercise program, and he’s enjoying life with Marsha, his two children and three grandchildren.

“The James is like a ‘holy place’ for me now. Whenever I go back for my check-ups, I think I’m in heaven on earth.  I’m so thankful for everything they’ve done for me.”