Frank’s Story

When Frank moved from Carmel, California to Jacksonville, Oregon over ten years ago it was the genuineness of the people, the beauty of the area, and the sense of community that struck him most. Little did he know how important his new community would become in the years ahead.

In the late spring of 2024, Frank began experiencing symptoms that were new to him, so he went to see his primary care physician. After numerous blood tests, imaging, biopsies and surgeries both at Ashland Community Hospital and Oregon Health Sciences University, Frank learned he had gallbladder cancer – one of the rarest, least researched kinds. He also learned it had spread to his liver and further surgery was not an option for him. Luckily, chemotherapy and immunotherapy were both viable treatment options for him. His specialist at OHSU recommended a few oncologists and Frank was assigned Dr. Alison Savage at Asante’s Heimann Cancer Center where he would receive his care going forward.

“I will tell you that the first time I drove to Heimann Cancer Center… it was such a remarkable building and the sense walking in was uplifting. Literally – with the natural light and the huge windows, high ceilings and the gardens outside and the views, everything about it gives you a sense of peace and hope. And then the experience of how the logistics and system of scheduling and receiving my care worked–  the accuracy and precision combined with the ease of it all made such a difference. I thought wow, they’ve got their stuff together here.”

Frank sees Dr. Savage before each infusion and notes what an important relationship it is. He explains, “I can’t have doubt here… I met her and knew it was a good fit. There was a sense of trust. A trust in my treatment, a trust in her.” He remembers the early weeks of treatment feeling like a relief after months of tests and unknowns and no solid direction or plan. 

“Maybe it took cancer, but my intention has been to remember that with suffering and worry, there’s always a neutral mental place I can go that isn’t filled with fear—a place that is peaceful and loving and accessible to me when I need it most. It has been a combination of things: my friendships, my amazing partner Ken, relying on my spiritual practices and the incredible environment and exceptional and truly compassionate care at Heimann Cancer Center that have made it possible for me to relax and heal. I have never once dreaded getting my chemo infusions. Instead, I know for those six hours, I will go and sit in a recliner, highly capable people will take care of me, and I can breathe and sleep and enjoy visits from friends. I tell my friends it’s my infusion spa!”

As Frank shifts from thinking of himself as someone dying from cancer to someone living with cancer, he is particularly grateful to those who gave and continue to give resources, time and energy to make the Heimann Cancer Center possible. He says he doesn’t think about illness and death. Instead, as a volunteer brings him hot tea or a nurse double checks his medications, he thinks, “My God, I’m so grateful they are investing their time and energy to be here and do this. The nurses, the staff, the volunteers, everybody. Gratitude is everywhere.”