Staying Resilient in the Fight Against Lung Cancer Sam McLaughlin and his wife Kathi share their inspiring story “Live like someone left the gate open.” When someone is given a second chance on life, this quote has even greater meaning. To Sam and Kathi McLaughlin, the words embody their philosophy to live life to its fullest and don’t hold back despite the challenges – a philosophy that has even greater meaning to them today following Sam’s recent bout with a rare form of lung cancer.
After having his lung removed, along with all of the cancer, Sam and Kathi have been filled with gratitude for his doctors and care teams at Banner Boswell Medical Center.
robotics along with traditional surgical methods. The couple is thankful for the expertise and the innovations in medical care they feel are extending Sam’s life.
Dr. Brett Broussard, thoracic surgeon with Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, performed the six-and-a-halfhour surgery at Banner Boswell. Because of the location of the tumor, Sam’s surgery included use of state-of-the-art
Sam’s healthcare story began when he mentioned a cough to his primary care physician. After a series of tests including a lung biopsy, his lung cancer was diagnosed. “I just hope it’s not too late,” Sam thought the day he learned his diagnosis. “Should I just let the cancer go or opt for treatment?” he contemplated. Dr. Broussard, his entire team and Sam’s oncologist sat down with Sam and Kathi to present the options, possible side effects and answer their questions. The decision was made to go with surgery. “During my three-day hospital recovery, Dr. Broussard and/or one of his team would come by every day to make sure I was comfortable and pain free,” Sam says.
Kathi and Sam McLaughlin forming a heart with their hands over the jar holding special notes.
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“If I hadn’t known better, I would have thought I was the only patient there,”
he adds to acknowledge the attentive care he received. When it was time for Sam to be discharged from the hospital, he remembers Dr. Broussard entering his room at the same time an old rerun of “Heaven Can Wait” was showing on his in-room television. What an emotional moment that was for Sam and Kathi. Sam continues to recover from surgery at home and currently is receiving precautionary chemotherapy under the care of Dr. Vishangi Dave, Banner Health hematologist and medical oncologist. He and Kathi recognize that delivering superior healthcare is a huge team effort. “Dr. Broussard is truly one of the finest surgeons. He genuinely cares and goes above and beyond the call of duty for his patients and treated me like family. If we had more doctors like him, the world will be a better place,” says Sam, with tears in his eyes. “I want to thank and commend and ask that all the doctors, PAs, RNs and all others involved with my procedures
