Report to the Indiana Elks 2021

IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center delivers treatment close to home

Though he is a native of South Bend, Indiana, Brian Stokes lived in several states over the years. In 2015, he and his husband, Lance Gustin, moved back to South Bend from Chicago and began to settle in.  
   
“I’ve always been drawn back to Indiana,” Brian said. “My family is here, and it’s just home.” 
 
Lance and Brian soon found themselves members of the Indiana Elks: Lance became an Elk in 2015 and Brian in 2019. Over the years, they have learned about the incredible impact the Elks make on cancer research at both Indiana University and Purdue University. They have witnessed firsthand the hard work Elks do to raise funds to help eradicate cancer in Indiana and beyond. And, they have felt fortunate to be a part of something so special in their home state. They never imagined how critically important these efforts would become to them personally.

In September 2020, Brian saw a doctor, hoping to get some answers about the fatigue and stomach issues he had been experiencing for a while. He had been attributing his ailments to stress related to work and the COVID-19 pandemic. His doctor ordered bloodwork just to make sure Brian had not developed irritable bowel syndrome. 
 
The following morning, Brian’s doctor called and advised him to go directly to the emergency room. His hemoglobin was dangerously low, and he needed a blood transfusion. The hospital care team determined that Brian was bleeding internally, but they weren’t sure of the source. A CT scan and a colonoscopy revealed terrible news: Brian had Stage III colon cancer. 
 
“The next thing we knew, there was a flurry of doctors coming in and out of the room, talking about surgeries, life-changing alterations for Brian, treatments, outcomes... the list goes on,” Lance said.  
 
After hearing all the overwhelming information from the physicians at their local hospital, Lance and Brian said they wanted a second opinion from someone at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center.  
 
“We explained that it wasn’t because we didn’t trust them, but that we are Elks and have a strong affiliation with IU though our philanthropic work,” Lance said. 
 
Within hours of reaching out to IU, Lance got a call from former director of the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Patrick Loehrer, MD. Loehrer asked for permission to access Brian’s medical information and present it the next day to the cancer center’s “Tumor Board,” where various medical experts comprehensively review the patient’s situation, including X-rays and scans, pathology report and other medical records. The group—which typically includes surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists and other specialists—makes a recommendation for the patient’s treatment plan.     
  
Loehrer arranged for Brian to see cancer center surgeon Bryan Holcomb, MD, just one week after the initial diagnosis. Holcomb assured Brian that the IU team agreed with the treatment plan his local hospital had suggested and recommended Brian undergo chemotherapy and radiation back in South Bend, lifting the burden of travel. He assured Brian that the IU team would monitor his progress, and he would have periodic follow-up appointments in Indianapolis. Holcomb also said he would like Brian to consider participating in an IU clinical trial once his cancer was under control.

On November 25, 2020, after five weeks of chemotherapy and 36 rounds of radiation, Brian received great news: his tumor was no longer detectable. 
 
“Brian got to ring that bell,” Lance said, referring to the tradition of ringing a bell to signify the conclusion of cancer treatment. “And we got to have a great Thanksgiving.” 
 
After spending the holidays celebrating, Brian enrolled in an IU clinical trial to study the effects of a potential immune-boosting drug that may help prevent his cancer from recurring.  
 
Brian and Lance are relieved to have access to top-notch care, informed by research, right in their own backyard. They are grateful to their fellow Indiana Elks for the time and effort they put toward advancing cancer research, right here at home.