Feature
Multiple cancer fighter Ongoing cancer battles fail to dampen Richard Cramer’s spirits If you have been to Central Care Cancer Center in Great Bend, then you might know Richard Cramer. He has unfortunately been a fixture of the clinic since the clinic’s beginning, and has battled a variety of cancers including colon, prostate, and two rounds of lung cancer. But, through it all, the 82-year-old father of three and grandfather to seven, remains upbeat, full of life and a bit ornery. It started near the year 2000, when Richard thought he had hemorrhoids, but his referring provider thought differently and ordered a colonoscopy, which showed colon cancer. Richard had a colectomy in 2001 and started seeing Dr. Mark Fesen with Central Care Cancer Center. In the United States, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancerrelated deaths in men and women with the majority of them being preventable. Early detection is key to success, such as getting a colonoscopy. Richard’s most recent colonoscopy in 2019 came
16
back negative. On top of the colon cancer, it was discovered that Richard hadn’t had a recent PSA test. The PSA test is a blood test used primarily to screen for prostate cancer. The test measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. According to Richard, “they checked mine and it was higher than a kite. I mean it was out of sight.” Richard received treatment and his PSA is now at a normal level. Dr. Fesen encouraged Richard to go through a series of tests and scans. That’s when cancer showed up in his right lung: Non-small cell lung cancer. Richard’s right upper lobe was resected in 2003. He underwent an intense schedule of radiation therapy and chemo for over a month. However, a few months later, cancer had metastasized
to Richard’s right adrenal gland and surgery was performed to resect the gland. On top of that, Richard developed a hernia on the right side of his body. “The family was in Salina at a hotel and my young granddaughter at the time was sitting on a chair playing a game. She about fell off and I went to grab her, causing the hernia. I got that repaired, but I had it sticking out there pretty good. I could rest my arm on it,” chuckled Richard. “So, I’m getting over the hernia and recovering from
the right adrenal gland resection, when it was discovered I was losing my vision,” he said. By now it’s 2004 and Richard underwent cataract surgery. It would seem though Richard would not be done seeing the inside of a hospital, as shortly after this surgery, he was sitting on a stool, shaving with an electric razor in his bathroom. He got up, but went down hard and broke his left leg in two different places. “After that, I was in pretty good shape for a long while,” said Richard.
