Cancer and Clinical Services Patient Stories

Suzanne Kaszer thought it was a common cold. Typically healthy, she was also professionally on the top of her game and enjoying traveling and performing her music as a percussionist.

Then came that nasty cold, or so she thought, which continued to grow more severe. Suzanne couldn’t shake it, and a close friend became concerned enough that she encouraged her to see a doctor.  The doctor told her to go to the hospital immediately.

Within 24 hours, Suzanne was diagnosed with T-cell negative stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, pneumonia and a collapsed lung.

Although Suzanne’s mother had had cancer, it was treatable. When Suzanne got her own cancer diagnosis, however, “it came right out of the blue,” she said. “I was devastated — I never saw it coming. It was absolutely life-changing.”

Starting chemotherapy immediately, Suzanne was more than a little scared as the cancer was advancing rapidly. Then, after her first round of chemotherapy, her physician decided to send her to The James because of the expertise with her type of cancer.

After three rounds of chemotherapy, James specialists had some good news for Suzanne: the lymphoma had gone from the size of a fist to the size of peas. “They were seeing results that were positive and hopeful,” she said.

“I mean, it (can be hard) to be there,” she continued, “but I always knew that if I was going to survive or thrive, I was in the very best hands possible. The James is world-renowned and caring. Everyone goes out of their way to make you and your family feel like there is hope. I’ve never seen a place that’s so nurturing.”

Suzanne also had an autologous stem cell transplant that fall, and she began doing better. In fact, she even participated in her first Pelotonia in 2009, riding the 50-mile course. As she shared with a friend, “I didn’t know if I’d go 50 feet or 50 miles, but I would try.” After crossing that 50-mile mark, Suzanne was on top of the world.

The following spring, however, Suzanne’s lymphoma returned, and she had her second bone marrow transplant. Now, it’s been nearly 10 years since that second transplant, and Suzanne is still in remission. And although she has had some complications since then, she has been able to retire, volunteer at The James and participate in her 11th year as a Pelotonia volunteer. She’s also resumed her passion for music, and she’s back to traveling — a lot.

“The James gave me a second chance at life,” Suzanne shared. “They are the gold standard of medical care, and not just medical. They saved me in every way possible — medically and emotionally, and because of them, I can go and live my life and do what I want. I’m still here for friends and family members.”