Gladwin Woman Grateful for Coordinated Cancer Care

Mohamed Elgamal, M.D.

Susan Norman, 67, has always been energetic. When abdominal pain began slowing her down, she sought medical care. A combination of both listening and persistence helped Norman navigate from diagnosis, treatment and onto recovery.

In 2021, Norman had received a diagnosis of pancreatitis, and Surgeon Shane D. Martin, D.O., MyMichigan Medical Group, removed her gallbladder. At the time, Dr. Martin noted a small spot on her CT scan thought to be related to her surgery. Even so, he talked with Norman about it and vowed to keep a close on eye it. 

When Norman felt unexpected pain after the normal healing time from her surgery, she saw Dr. Martin again. He ordered another scan and saw that the spot had grown. He immediately referred Norman to Surgical Oncologist Mohamed Elgamal, M.D., MyMichigan Medical Group.

“I knew something wasn’t right,” said Norman. “I am persistent and so is Dr. Martin. Together, we found what was going on. Although no one wants to receive a call reporting pancreatic cancer, I was relieved to have the reason for my ongoing pain identified. Dr. Martin told me the tumor could be removed, and I trusted him.”

Norman consulted with Dr. Elgamal and her cancer was classified as stage two. The tumor was located at the tail end of her pancreas. Dr. Elgamal removed the pancreatic mass, spleen and lymph nodes. “Dr. Elgamal was so, so good,” Norman shared. “He took his time explaining everything to me and told me with confidence that he would get all of it. After the surgery, he stopped by every day to talk with me and see how I was doing. He was there for me.”

“As a fellowship trained advanced gastrointestinal surgeon, I’ve seen how a cancer diagnosis can derail the patient’s life in many ways. I don’t want to simply treat the cancer; I want to minimize its impact on the patient,” said Dr. Elgamal. “I try to walk with my patients through their treatment journey rather than force on them a path to follow. Thanks to Dr. Martin’s quick referral after identifying the mass growth, I was able to help Ms. Norman with a good result.”

Norman received chemotherapy after surgery to lower the risk of cancer returning. She saw Interventional Radiologist Dianbo Zhang, M.D., of MyMichigan Medical Group, at MyMichigan Medical Center Midland to have a chemo port implanted. The main advantage of a port is that medications can be delivered directly into the port rather than the arm, eliminating the need for needle sticks. She was then able to receive chemotherapy treatments at MyMichigan Medical Center Gladwin’s Infusion Department, just 10 minutes from where she lives.

“The Gladwin staff was wonderful,” Norman said. “The nurses were caring and took time to visit with me. I was glad to be able to receive my chemo close to home.”

Norman was determined to remain active throughout treatment by scheduling yard and garden work around infusions. She is now on a three-month CT scan schedule under the care of Medical Oncologist Fadi Nakhl, M.D., at the Cancer Center, located on the campus of MyMichigan Medical Center Midland, where she will be monitored for two years.

“I feel normal and am extremely grateful for the care I’ve received from the team at MyMichigan Health,” Norman said. “I have a very strong faith, and my children and grandchildren have been with me every step of the way. I would tell others to listen to their bodies and find physicians who listen to you. Next summer, I will be planting a huge garden.”

Those interested in more information on comprehensive cancer care at MyMichigan Health may visit www.mymichigan.org/cancer.