Sheron Opts for Alternative Leukemia Treatment
When what she thought was the flu turned out to be acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), Sheron immediately began a rigorous treatment plan to stop the aggressive cancer from spreading. She spent all of December of 2008 in the hospital in what would become a constant battle to stay well enough to remain at home.
“It was a week in the hospital, a week out, then two weeks of work—then back into the hospital for January, February and March and two weeks in April of 2009,” Sheron said.
Tired of living in and out of hospital, Sheron refused to continue inpatient treatment. But Dr. Jeffrey Cilley, a board-certified oncologist with Endeavor Health Medical Group, refused to give up. He consulted his Hematology and Oncology Reference Manual and identified a protocol that he could adapt for outpatient use.
“Getting treatment in the hospital was not something she was willing to continue,” Said Dr. Cilley. “So I looked into how I could adapt her in-hospital protocol as an outpatient treatment. Thankfully, the protocol was a success, and she’s living proof!”
“Dr. Cilley listens to his patients and cares about them,” said Sheron. “He came up with a treatment option that kept me out of the hospital and because of him I’m still alive today.”
Grateful for the opportunity to live on as a survivor of this aggressive cancer due to the efforts of Dr. Cilley, she encourages anyone else struggling to find a solution to visit Swedish Covenant Hospital.
“Dr. Cilley listens to his patients and cares about them,” said Sheron. “You can say ‘no’ and come up with a treatment that isn’t the ‘norm’ so you can live your life fully. He came up with an option that kept me out of the hospital and because of him I’m still alive today.”
Nine years later, Sheron has a lot to be thankful for and look forward to.
“I read and garden—I won first prize at Tomato Fest for best salsa,” said Sheron. “In the future, I hope to see my grandchildren grow up.”
Jeffrey C. Cilley, M.D., is a board-certified oncologist and Hematologist with Endeavor Health Medical Group. His clinical interests include breast cancer, colon/rectal cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, lung cancer, multiple myeloma and clotting disorders, prostate cancer and thrombophilia. He has over ten years of experience.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cilley, call 773-989-4745.
By David Modica | Published April 25, 2018
