It seems "defeat" just isn't in John Cashen's vocabulary. A survivor in more ways than one, John has overcome not only a catastrophic natural disaster, but also fought cancer with unyielding resilience.
In 2005, as flood waters from Hurricane Katrina rose and threatened his New Orleans home, John took an axe to his attic's ceiling, climbed atop his roof and tied himself to his chimney so he wouldn't be swept away. Days later, no help had arrived, so John untied himself and swam to an overpass where he was rescued by a helicopter. He joined the rest of his family in Georgia.
Since then, John has become a proud citizen of LaGrange. A master of everything Mardi Gras, John runs a local krewe and is a natural at building parade floats from the foundation up. But when he was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2019, he summoned his fighting spirit, squared his shoulders, and faced his cancer journey head on.
JohnCare
Published on November 25, 2024
Last updated 01:25 PM November 25, 2024
A master of everything Mardi Gras, John runs a local krewe and is a natural at building parade floats from the foundation up.
For patients like John, there’s a lot of different aspects we take into consideration when creating a treatment plan. We pull all factors together—like general health, medicines, personal preferences and family concerns—to create the best care plan possible.
- Dr. Robert Taylor
Wellstar Radiation Oncologist
Listen to John's story
A troubling diagnosis
It all began with lung discomfort and tiredness that he just couldn't shake, no matter how much sleep he had each night. Concerned, he visited his primary care provider to get to the bottom of the issue.
After John's vital signs revealed low blood pressure, the doctor sensed something bigger might be happening behind the scenes. John underwent diagnostic testing, including bloodwork and X-rays, to find the cause of his fatigue.
"When the X-rays came back, my doctor noticed a spot in the upper left lobe of my lungs," John said, remembering the fuzzy dot on the X-ray screen. "I had been feeling tired and run down, but overall, I didn't feel that bad."
The troubling results pointed to a clear answer: lung cancer. Even though John didn't notice many red flags when it came to his health, his body was battling a disease he couldn't see.
According to Mayo Clinic, many patients may not experience any symptoms in the early stages of lung cancer. Once the warning signs—such as coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain and hoarseness—set in, the disease may already be at an advanced stage.
After a round of CT and PET scans, the concerning lung spot appeared to be growing in size, even after just a short few days.
Without delay, John was on a mission to find the right health partner to treat his lung cancer before it had the chance to spread.
Cutting-edge cancer care
Soon after the concerning X-ray results, John sought out the medical opinions of several different doctors. All of the professionals recommended a biopsy and other surgical means to treat his cancer.
However, John was firmly against any invasive treatments. That's when he crossed paths with Wellstar Radiation Oncologist Dr. Robert Taylor, who suggested a solution.
"When John first came into the office, he was very worried about the prospect of surgery," Dr. Taylor said, recalling their first meeting at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center. "He knew about many cancer treatments and was seeking the least invasive option possible."
After discussing John's concerns about surgery, the physician suggested an innovative cancer treatment called stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR).
"SABR is like virtual surgery. Using X-ray technology, you can "reach" inside of a patient and virtually cut out the tumor," Dr. Taylor explained. "When the patient leaves a treatment session, they feel the same as when they entered. There is no surgery or downtime."
For John, this was the perfect, non-invasive option to take care of his cancer, quickly and effectively. He also left the consultation feeling like an equal partner in the process.
"Dr. Taylor explained everything to me clearly," John said. "He knew I wasn't a physician, so he spoke to me in a way that I could understand and laid out all my treatment options."
When building a custom care plan for any patient, Wellstar always takes a personalized approach.
"For patients like John, there's a lot of different aspects we take into consideration when creating a treatment plan," Dr. Taylor shared. "We pull all factors together—like general health, medicines, personal preferences and family concerns—to create the best care plan possible."
With a clear path forward and renewed hope, John felt confident trusting Wellstar with his lung cancer care.
Care right around the corner
A short time later, John began SABR treatments at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center. With the most advanced cancer technology right in LaGrange, he didn't have to travel out of his way for treatment.
For the hard-working father and grandfather, the access to quick and convenient cancer treatments fit right into his busy schedule.
"Typically, this type of radiotherapy is delivered in about five separate treatments, in 30-minute intervals," Dr. Taylor said, explaining how the specialized treatment works. "The sessions are often done just a few days apart."
Without any incisions or other invasive measures, SABR uses concentrated radiation beams to target tumors precisely. Because his lung cancer was localized, the focused doses could treat the affected areas without damaging the healthy tissues.
Dr. Taylor was pleased with John's health progress throughout the treatment, and his prognosis was quickly looking up.
"John had no side effects and responded very well to treatment," said Dr. Taylor. "One time, he even asked if the machine was turned on because he couldn't feel a thing."
From start to finish, John kept a positive attitude about his cancer care. "The treatments weren't painful. It was a half-hour long, so just long enough for a good nap."
Wellstar offered support every step of the way, addressing John's concerns and crafting an effective cancer treatment plan. But the care didn't end when he left the building.
"During my treatment, the Wellstar team helped me through everything. Afterward, they would call me often to see how I was feeling and ask if I was eating enough," John beamed. "Wellstar is full of caring people. It's not just for show."
The radiation sessions were successful. Just months after the initial diagnosis, John was pronounced cancer-free. His yearly scan and monthly check-ins have all shown no signs of the disease returning either.
Now, John can get back to life and what really matters: planning his annual Mardi Gras parade for family and friends. Moving forward, he will always consider Wellstar to be an essential part of his health krewe.
"My Wellstar care team made me feel like I was a person, not an object they were trying to fix. Nobody treats you like Wellstar."
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GregCare
“My wife and I are blessed to live on this land,” Greg Rodgers said. “God instructs us to be good stewards of the land and we are dedicated to doing just that. We’re always mowing, planting and tending to fallen trees.”
Much like their acreage, Greg sees his body as something that deserves to be maintained with care. And he’s an advocate that other men do the same. Seeing a doctor regularly and getting screened can help identify conditions earlier so they’re more treatable. Greg learned that from his personal experience with prostate cancer, and the team at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center who helped him overcome it.
“It’s not so much my story as the story of the professionals at Wellstar—they’re tremendous people,” he said.
The right tests for an accurate diagnosis
Prostate health is not something to ignore. Greg understands this now after a routine PSA test—a simple blood test—came back abnormal in 2020. When PSA levels are checked regularly and rise over time, they can be a sign of prostate cancer.Because of his elevated PSA, Greg began monitoring his prostate health and eventually, connected with Wellstar Urologist Dr. Richard Jadick in LaGrange. Dr. Jadick performed a UroNav fusion biopsy to investigate his climbing PSA. During the procedure, an MRI helps accurately target the biopsy location. This biopsy has a low false negative rate, meaning the results are more trustworthy than in the past. Greg’s results came back positive for prostate cancer.
Pursuing personalized, expert care
Because every case of prostate cancer is different, there are a range of options for treating it, from active surveillance (monitoring with imaging) to advanced treatments like robotic surgery and targeted radiation therapy that have fewer side effects than traditional treatments.Greg and Dr. Jadick discussed several options, but before Greg made any decisions, Dr. Jadick recommended he see Dr. Robert Taylor, a Wellstar radiation oncologist.
Greg remembers having reservations about radiation therapy. But once he arrived for the appointment, he felt immediately at ease. “Dr. Taylor is a quiet, confident person with a kind smile,” he said. “He was really good at explaining everything, going through studies and the different procedures. He’s so methodical, so good at answering questions and so patient.”
The option they settled on was a high dose of targeted radiation aimed at the prostate during a shorter treatment course (20 days versus 44). A newer technology called SpaceOAR Hydrogel would separate the rectum from the prostate during treatment, preventing unnecessary radiation exposure—and side effects.
“When it comes to choosing the right treatment, everything is a balance between the risk level and a variety of other personal factors,” Dr. Taylor said. “We want to provide treatment that is the least disruptive and most effective.”
To be sure this was the best plan for Greg, Dr. Taylor requested a second opinion from Mayo Clinic. Wellstar experts have a direct connection to Mayo Clinic specialists through its Mayo Clinic Care Network membership. Wellstar physicians and patients can access eConsults—virtual second opinions—at no additional cost to patients.
Some additional imaging was recommended, which validated Dr. Taylor’s treatment plan. Greg moved forward with his cancer treatment with pure confidence.
Highlights
Out of Sight, Still a Threat
Five years ago, you probably had hand sanitizer in your car, a thermometer in your bag and a mental checklist for every sniffle. That was life during COVID. But these days? It’s easy to forget what once felt urgent.
The same thing happens with men’s health—especially prostate cancer. For a brief moment, maybe after a friend was diagnosed or during a Movember campaign, it’s top-of-mind. But if nothing seems wrong, it quickly slips to the back burner.
That’s a problem—because prostate cancer doesn’t wait until you’re ready.
At Wellstar, we see too many men surprised by late diagnoses. Why? Because they felt fine. Because they had no symptoms. Because they believed some version of the same three myths:
“Prostate cancer doesn’t kill men.”
Actually, it’s the second leading cause of cancer death in men. When caught early, it’s highly treatable. But when ignored, it’s dangerous.
“I don’t have symptoms, so I’m good.”
Most early-stage prostate cancers are completely silent. No pain, no urinary issues, no warning. That’s why screening matters.
“Testing leads to side effects.”
Screening doesn’t mean treatment. A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test is a simple tool that helps guide the next steps. Many men with slow-growing cancers don’t need surgery—just monitoring. For those who do need treatment, options are far more precise and less invasive than they used to be.
Still, fear or discomfort around the prostate keeps many men from checking in until it’s too late. We get it. It’s not the most glamorous part of the body—but it’s vital.
Think of it this way: you’d never ignore a lump on your neck or blood in your stool. Why ignore the most common cancer in men (besides skin cancer) just because it’s not visible?
Our team at Wellstar makes prostate cancer screening simple, discreet and personalized. We’re here to talk through your family history, explain your risks and offer guidance without pressure. Whether it’s time for a PSA test, a digital exam or just a conversation, we meet you where you are.
Remember: ignoring prostate cancer doesn’t make it go away. It just makes it harder to treat. Learn more about prostate cancer care at Wellstar.
Ready to take action?
Find a urologist near you and book your appointment online. What’s out of sight shouldn’t be out of mind.
Highlights