Susan Gaskin

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"One physician referral changed my life forever," says Susan Gaskin, who was diagnosed with a rare cancer. "That was 52 cancer-related surgeries and 28 years ago."

Following the birth of her youngest son, a mass appeared under Susan's right breast. Thinking it was a milk gland, her OB/GYN gave her medication for inflammation. Over the next seven days, the mass grew. Her doctor knew someone who could hopefully help, and referred her to Dr. Shields Frey, a general surgeon on staff at what was then Baptist Montclair and is now Grandview Medical Center.

"I was diagnosed with a rare cancer, a genetic mutation, which has wiped out five generations on my father's side," Susan said. "At the age of 18, I watched my father die from this after only an eight-month battle. He was 45 years old. And at the time of my diagnosis I was 40."

Susan told Dr. Frey that she needed to be here for her kids. "I asked him if he would take care of me and he said yes. He hadn't even heard of my cancer when he took me on as his patient."

Dr. Frey spent years researching and studying Muir-Torre Syndrome. He has kept a chronological listing of all Susan's family members, the date they were diagnosed, and much more. Over the years he has presented her case at conferences in hopes of educating and raising the visibility so others will be diagnosed earlier and given a chance.

"Dr. Frey calls me Abby Normal and I call him Samaria Frey. He is a member of our family and we have a very, very deep relationship," shared Susan. "I raised my children as a single parent, teaching in Talladega and fighting this cancer. I would not be here if it weren't for Dr. Frey."

While Susan is still under the care of Dr. Frey, his son, Dr. Andrew Frey, also a surgeon at Grandview, has become involved in her case as well. Susan knows that one day, the younger Dr. Frey will inherit her case.

"Dr. Frey is a real find. He listens, is compassionate, has a humorous side, and is understanding. He treats everyone the same and I have seen that first hand as a patient at Grandview."

The specific type of cancer that Susan's family has does not respond to chemotherapy or radiation. "It's like pouring gas on a fire," Susan said. "It accelerates the cancer."

"Over the last couple of years, I have been treated by oncologist Dr. Matthew Tucker at Grandview. He listened to me when I first went in and said I could not have chemo or radiation. About a year in with Dr. Tucker, he called and asked me to come to his office. Immunotherapy had just come out of clinical trials and I was a candidate for this treatment. I have been taking immunotherapy for 22 months, every three weeks. My tests have been showing zero cancer cells."

Susan's experience has also included many stays at Grandview.

"I think Grandview is a jewel sitting over there on Highway 280 that more people should take advantage of," she said. "I've been blessed with outstanding physicians who are head and shoulders over so many in the community."

She makes it very clear that having Dr. Frey in her life is a "God Thing." "Over the years, I have been blessed with so many doctors and it has been a seamless process from the very beginning. I live a charmed life."

The mom of three adult children and two grandchildren says she learned a lot from her father. "He said to have faith and strength. He showed me what to do and prepared me for this journey I have been on."

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