Defeating her diagnoses

Many people delayed routine health screenings during the COVID-19 pandemic for fear of contracting the highly contagious virus. Louise Eberle was no exception.

In 2021, the retired elementary school teacher was about a year late getting her routine colonoscopy, but wasn’t overly worried because previous exams had revealed only slight irregularities.

“They would find a polyp or two but that was it,” said Eberle, who was almost four years removed from her last screening when she was examined at Baptist Medical Center Nassau. “I went in thinking it was going to be a regular checkup, and it turned out to be the worst day of my life.”

Considering treatment options

When caught early, colorectal cancer is highly treatable, but is more difficult to manage in later stages.

In Eberle’s case, a tumor was discovered in her rectum. Tumors that develop there can spread to surrounding tissues before traveling to other parts of the body.

She was immediately referred to Ron Landmann, MD, FACS, section chief of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Due to the complexity of Eberle's cancer, Dr. Landmann recommended two possible treatment options: surgery to remove the rectum or tailored regimens of chemotherapy and chemoradiation to shrink the tumor.

Eberle chose chemo and radiation but eventually needed major follow-up surgery as well.

Checking off a bucket list item

After ringing the bell to conclude her chemoradiotherapy sessions at the infusion center, Eberle underwent more than six hours of robotic surgery, which included removing her rectum and constructing an internal pouch known as a proctocolectomy (J-pouch) to restore bowel function.

“The J-pouch procedure eliminates the need for a patient to wear a permanent ostomy bag or stoma,” said Dr. Landmann, director of a nationally accredited tumor board program at Baptist MD Anderson.

“He was able to do enough reconstruction so that I’m able to live a normal life within reason,” Eberle said. “I still have to watch my diet and take medications to control my bowels, but all in all, he did a fabulous job.”

In 2024, Eberle celebrated her cancer recovery by checking off the No. 1 travel destination on her bucket list: a trip down the Nile River in Egypt. She even scaled the inside of a great pyramid and descended a steep staircase to visit King Tut’s tomb.

“I was one of only two people in our party of more than two dozen who felt like they could climb all the way to the top of the pyramid without getting claustrophobic,” she recalled. “It was so narrow in there, you had to constantly bend over to make it up the stairs.”

Since her initial surgery, Eberle has undergone periodic CT scans of her chest and abdomen to monitor for cancer recurrence.

“Dr. Landmann was watching a spot on the top of one of my lungs for some time and when it started to grow, he referred me to one of his colleagues at the cancer center,” she said.

Exulting in the collective expertise

Following a biopsy, David J. Hall, MD, FACS, a thoracic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive approaches at Baptist MD Anderson, confirmed the spot or nodule on Eberle’s lung tested positive for cancer and advised her to consider undergoing a second robotic surgery to remove it.

“Because the nodule was located toward the edge of the lung and away from major structures, I was able to remove less than 5% of her lung tissue with a satisfactory margin around the cancer,” he said. “The surgery was performed using an FDA-approved fluorescent imaging agent that helps locate and remove cancerous lesions when viewed under a specialized camera, known as a thoracoscope, which is inserted in the chest through a small incision.”

Eberle went home less than 24 hours after the minimally invasive surgery was performed.

“What I really like about Baptist MD Anderson is the team approach they take and how closely the doctors work together,” said Eberle. “It gives you a lot of confidence knowing you have multiple brains on your case.”

Giving thanks for all her blessings

After recovering from her second cancer surgery, Eberle was ready to check off another top priority item on her bucket list: visiting the famous archaeological site of Machu Picchu in southern Peru and scaling its nearly 8,000-foot mountain ridge.

The two-time cancer survivor accomplished the arduous feat this past spring, along with her husband, Terry, and their 19-year-old grandson.

“Machu Picchu was No. 1 on our grandson’s bucket list. He wants to see the pyramids next,” said Eberle, who also visited the Galapagos Islands this year and toured parts of Europe. “When I stood up there on Machu Picchu and took in that gorgeous view, I thought about my faith and said a prayer thanking God for everything in my life, including Drs. Landmann and Hall.”

Sharing some life-affirming aroma

When Eberle returned from South America in May, she brought back a bag of Peruvian coffee for both of her surgeons.

Prior to the trip, she wondered if it was wise to attempt such a high-altitude adventure so soon after her second cancer surgery.

“My surgeons were so positive I could do it and were my cheerleaders from the start,” she said. “I’ve felt God’s hand in every step of my cancer journey, and I really believe God was guiding their hands, as well.”

Dr. Hall said the Peruvian coffee was delicious, but the real gift was the heartfelt, thank-you message Eberle wrote on the brown paper wrapper.

“Life is precious and I’m grateful to do what I do as a surgeon to help patients like Louise not only beat cancer, but conquer it twice,” said Dr. Hall.

Is it time for your colon screening? Schedule an appointment and learn more about your options by visiting baptistjax.com/coloncancerscreening or speaking with your primary care doctor.