Be Your Own Cheerleader!

William ‘Will’ Fowle was living in New York, wrapping up an acting job on the seventh season of 30 Rock, when his mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He came home to Michigan to help his mother and father. His mother died shortly after he arrived and then a year and a half later, his father died. A few months after that, Will was diagnosed with pneumonia.

He was already exhausted, and his health journey had just begun.

After three unsuccessful rounds of antibiotics to treat misdiagnosed pneumonia, Will was referred to Niklas Mackler, MD, who specializes in hematology and oncology at Trinity Health Ann Arbor. Will was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer and had a 19% chance of survival. 

The Journey Begins

“The next day it was a CAT scan, an MRI, a this and a that … we followed the protocol,” said Will. “I prayed and prayed about it. I had to acquiesce; I knew I had to listen to this man. It was all so alien to me.”

Will studied everything he could about lung cancer and learned from Dr. Mackler about his unique case. He learned about the very thin linings between his esophagus and his lungs. Will had five cancerous lymph nodes stacked between the two linings. Surgery was quickly ruled out because it was too dangerous. Instead, it was decided that Will would have aggressive chemotherapy and radiation, simultaneously. 

Chemotherapy and radiation five days a week meant lots of traveling to Ann Arbor. Will and his care team realized that moving his treatment care to Chelsea Hospital Cancer Center would make access to care much easier — so the team made that happen for him. Will still maintained Dr. Mackler as his oncologist.

Whamo-blamos

After approximately 10 weeks of chemotherapy and radiation, Dr. Mackler told Will he wanted to amplify Will’s final two chemotherapy treatments. Will had already lost his hair, he felt sick and was thin.

Will responded to Dr. Mackler, “Are you telling me you’re going to up my chemo six times? That’s like me having to endure a whamo-blamo,” Will said with a little laugh and some tears.

Dr. Mackler understood. He encouraged Will to look at the progress he had already made. He likened these final two “whamo-blamos” to tying a bow on top of his entire treatment package. Will agreed. He endured both “whamo-blamo” treatments and lost his hair all over again. For the final treatments, a dear friend stayed with Will as he made his way through his most difficult days.

Will was able to endure all six whamo-blamos with support from his friends, prayer, and most importantly — himself.

“It was important for me to be my own advocate,” said Will. “I researched nutrition and learned which foods help fight cancer and help your body get through chemotherapy. I unplugged my microwave and plugged in my juicer! I made meals with ingredients like grapes, raspberries, sweet potatoes, organic spinach and organic rice. I never felt like eating. I did keep having a hankering for burnt sour dough toast, so I allowed myself to have that once a week.”

After Treatment

During the conversation Will had with Dr. Mackler about his status, Will said to him, “I keep thinking, I just turned 72. Two years ago, my dog died of cancer — that was devastating. I’m not going to get another dog unless you tell me I’m clear.”

Dr. Mackler put his hand on Will’s shoulder and said, “When you get home today, go get yourself a dog!” Will burst into tears of happiness and relief. Will rescued a Wheaten Terrier and Poodle cross — a Whoodle. He named him Bravo.

“It’s been five years since my cancer treatment,” said Will. “Dr. Mackler continues to watch me on an annual basis. I have a nodule on the lower left part of my left lung. It’s not cancer, but it is growing ever so slightly. We don’t know if it will become cancer.”

“I’m super happy how Will has managed to resume life after cancer, stay healthy and I hope happy,” said Dr. Mackler.

Advice for Others

Get a lung cancer screening. 

“The sooner you know about your cancer, the easier it will be to treat,” said Will. “Also, be an advocate about how you nurture your vessel. This is the best advice I can give anyone. I was so cognizant of putting healthy things into my body and mind. Being an advocate nutritionally while you’re going through cancer is a positive tool and seemingly provides you some control. It made me feel like I was contributing to my health.”

By combining medication and meditation, Will was an active participant of his own care team. He told the team about his nutritional program at home, including using herbs and vitamins. Sharing his nutrition program turned out to be important. That’s because on certain days the care team asked Will not to use herbs and vitamins to avoid an interaction. 

“If you have the choice of being a ‘Debbie Downer’ or a ‘Pollyanna Cheerleader’ during your cancer journey, choose cheerleader,” Will said triumphantly. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Call upon your prayer warriors!”

Learn more about your risk for developing lung cancer by taking a short lung health assessment. Trinity Health will provide recommended next steps for prevention and screening based your risk level.