Brandon Finley had always struggled with sinus problems. The recurring infections and congestion were annoying but never prevented him from going about his life. However, they kept showing up into adulthood, even appearing in CT scans after Finley sustained concussions as a college and professional soccer player. Still, Finley was able to live his life normally.
But, when Finley was in his mid-30s, he started having frequent headaches, something he had never experienced before. Doctors ultimately determined those were the result of temporomandibular joint disorder.
In the process of trying to find an answer, doctors discovered a large polyp in Finley’s sinuses that needed to be surgically removed. The polyp turned out to be cancerous. Finley needed specialized care that was available at Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute.
Finley was soon referred to Dr. Daniel Wehrmann Nuss, a world-renowned leader in cancer treatment. Dr. Nuss leads the Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute and the Head and Neck Center at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge, the largest specialty practice of its kind in the Gulf South. Finley said that from the first time he and his family met with Dr. Nuss and his team, he knew he would receive the best possible care.
“I could tell right away that he was one-of-a-kind. They don’t make angels like him anymore,” Finley said. “When he showed us the MRI results and highlighted where the cancer was, everybody was kind of stunned. Dr. Nuss put his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘We’re going to take care of it.’ I immediately felt like I could put my faith in him.”
Rare Neuroendocrine Cancer
Finley had an exceedingly rare neuroendocrine cancer involving his sinuses and skull base. In fact, doctors and tumor boards around the country have reviewed Finley’s case because of its uniqueness. Finley said his understanding is that the cancer grew slowly over several years, eventually growing “like mold on cheese” throughout his skull. During one operation, doctors removed so much malignant tissue that it was about the size of a softball when placed together. While other family members have had cancer, Finley said nothing in his medical history indicated he was susceptible to such an uncommon form of the disease.
Since that initial diagnosis 14 years ago, Finley has undergone three procedures to remove cancerous tissue, as well as regular testing to see if the cancer has spread or changed. The ongoing treatment has meant that Finley travels from his home in Lafayette to Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge. The drive takes about an hour, and Finley said he has always been grateful that an expert of Dr. Nuss’ caliber is so close to him.
“It’s unbelievable that someone who is that sharp and that hardworking is only an hour away,” Finley said. “On top of that, you can tell that he truly cares about each individual. He is the difference in these situations. The way he talks to patients and approaches cases is second to none. I think we can all learn lessons from how he conducts himself professionally and personally. He does things the way they need to be done. Being in his care has been a blessing.”
‘His Care Has Been a Blessing’
Today, Finley is doing well and has recovered from his most recent procedure in late 2023. He is back to work and spends his free time staying active with family and friends. He attributes much of his well-being and positive attitude to knowing that he has been in good hands throughout his journey.
“When you are faced with your mortality and start to contemplate your life, all of a sudden a lot of things that you worry about don’t matter anymore,” he said. “You put your priorities in a clearer order. My days are a little bit different now, in a positive sense. My outlook is good. I try to make the best of every situation and to share that with others. It doesn’t hurt me one bit to make the person next to me smile. I focus a lot on that and not wasting time with little things that don’t matter.”
The experienced team at Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute leads the region in cancer care. They offer the most advanced technology and services provided by a dedicated team of nationally recognized oncology experts. The Cancer Institute delivers best-practice, comprehensive care at every stage of the cancer journey, including disease-site-specific multidisciplinary care teams, a robust clinical research program and extensive supportive care services.
