Cancer and Clinical Services Patient Stories

Following multiple diagnoses with a cure

A diagnosis of cancer resets every step going forward. “You have to focus on the things you can control,” says Todd Burnworth, who is now cancer-free. “Little by little you chip on the iceberg. Having a team of experts you can turn your treatment over to — letting the doctors do their job so you can focus on things like nutrition, rest and hydration, as well as a positive attitude — is what makes that possible.”

Todd had to take more steps forward than most, facing multiple setbacks and complications following his initial diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Todd transferred his care to The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (The James) because he was so impressed with the hospital during his time as an engineering student at The Ohio State University. Todd knew it was a place with the resources and specialists needed to treat even the most complicated cancers. During this time, Todd relied on the support of others as he dealt with an almost unimaginable chain of challenges before reaching a clean bill of health: a pulmonary embolism, chemotherapy, dehydration, kidney failure, weeks on a ventilator, rehabilitation to learn how to walk and swallow again, kidney dialysis, bone marrow transplantation, and an unexpected diagnosis of stage 3 colorectal cancer that required additional chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

“I knew coming to The James was my first important step forward,” Todd says. “I was confident that by going there — the best place in the Midwest for a bone marrow transplant — that my odds would go up.” Throughout his time in Columbus, Todd placed complete trust in his medical team, including hematologist-oncologist Sumithira Vasu, MBBS, colon and rectal surgeon Mark Arnold, MD, and his nurses. “They were incredible,” he says. “They’re not only professional, but they also took the time to talk to me as a person, and that sense of normalcy is exactly what you need during cancer treatment.”

“I owe a tremendous debt to so many who made sure that I could keep fighting throughout this entire process,” Todd says. “I learned a lot about myself and how resilient we can be with the right mindset. I fully recognize that everyone’s experience with this disease is unique, but there is great reason for hope. Breakthroughs are around every corner.”