When David Talmage received his liver cancer diagnosis late last year, he felt like things were grim.
“I did a lot of research about liver cancer and based on what I saw, it seemed like the prognosis was not too good,” he said. “I felt like it was a pretty bleak diagnosis. You think about all of the what-ifs. I think at a certain point, I was in a state of resignation that this might not turn out too well.”
Talmage was also coping with a medical whirlwind. In early November 2023, blood work during a routine visit to his primary care provider showed he had elevated liver enzymes. Doctors quickly followed up with an ultrasound and other scans, all of which indicated a mass on his liver. By Dec. 19, he was heading into surgery at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge.
Quick Action, Life-Saving Care
Fortunately for Talmage, his surgeon was John Lyons III, MD, a surgical oncologist at Our Lady of the Lake who is widely regarded as one of the best in his field. Dr. Lyons gave Talmage a positive update after his operation, noting that he felt like all of the cancer had been removed. In the 11 months since then, multiple follow-up tests have confirmed Dr. Lyons’ thinking. The surgery was so successful that Talmage did not have to undergo subsequent treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation, and all of his follow-up tests in the past 11 months show that he remains cancer-free.
“With this type of cancer, there are no long-term guarantees, and Dr. Lyons has been very upfront with me about that,” Talmage said. “I appreciate that honesty because I knew going into this what the statistics showed.”
In fact, this wasn’t Talmage’s first time overcoming cancer. In 2012, he underwent surgery and treatment for prostate cancer. His tests for that form of the disease also continue to show that it has not spread or recurred.
“So far, I’m in the clear. I’m certainly counting my blessings,” he said. “I’ve told my primary care doctor that I kind of feel like I’m living on borrowed time, but I’ll take it. I feel like a very lucky man.”
The Importance of Routine Checkups
Like many liver cancer patients, Talmage had no noticeable symptoms of the disease before his diagnosis. In fact, had it not been for his diligence in attending routine physical exams, he suspects the cancer wouldn’t have been detected until it was much more advanced, likely decreasing his chances of such a positive outcome.
“The regular checkup is so key,” he said. “A lot of people feel like what you don’t know can’t hurt you, but I think the opposite is true. Those appointments can really change your life. My advice to people is to find a physician who you feel comfortable with and who you trust, and then get into the routine of going every year. I think that is the best way forward.”
Expert Cancer Care, Close to Home
At Our Lady of the Lake, Dr. Lyons is part of a team of board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons who are prepared to conduct the type of procedure that best suits a patient’s needs, whether that is an open surgery or one that uses minimally invasive techniques. The team avoids a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, surgeons collaborate with one another and oncologists at Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute to find the most effective treatment options for each patient.
Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, meaning it has demonstrated compliance with 34 quality care standards and maintains excellence in comprehensive, patient-centered cancer care. It has also been recognized by the QOPI Certification Program, which recognizes oncology practices that meet national standards for cancer care.
Thankful for Compassionate Care
Talmage said he was grateful to have that kind of state-of-the-art care in Baton Rouge, just about an hour’s drive away from his home. He has known neighbors and friends who have traveled out of state for their cancer care and seen the toll it takes on them and their families. In his case, Talmage’s adult children were able to take him to appointments and provide a nearby support system, something that might not have been the case if he had to receive his cancer care elsewhere.
“I felt very lucky that I was able to stay at home while all of this was going on,” he said. “I was really happy that I didn’t have to travel. And, to have Dr. John Lyons in Baton Rouge is a true blessing. I’m tempted to call him a friend because I still run into him now and then. He’s just a jewel of a guy. You feel like you’ve known him all your life. He’s attentive and obviously very competent. I can say the same thing about everyone else at Our Lady of the Lake. The care was great. The nurses were wonderful. I can’t say enough good things about all of them.”
