Ascension surgical oncologist offers Milwaukee-area man a renewed lease on life

 In 2022, Steve Olson, 66, who lives in the Greater Milwaukee area, visited his Ascension primary care provider, Dr. Gregory Spielbauer, for what he anticipated would be another routine checkup. Steve wasn’t your typical patient: he was an active runner, who ran 25-30 miles a week, an adventurous hiker and a dedicated high school and club soccer referee. His expectation was a clean bill of health.

However, Dr. Spielbauer, mindful of Steve’s age, suggested a calcium cardiac scan—a simple, non-invasive CT scan designed to evaluate heart disease risk. Steve agreed to the scan, expecting it to be just another precautionary measure. But the results revealed troubling signs, and a series of additional tests revealed a devastating truth: Steve was battling stage four peritoneal (abdominal) cancer. 

“It turned my world upside down,” reflected Steve, “We lived a very healthy lifestyle: careful about our diet and getting enough rest. I had no symptoms whatsoever.” 

After digesting the shocking news, Steve started chemotherapy right away.

Finding treatment for abdominal cancers 

After months of chemotherapy, Steve’s doctor referred him to Ascension surgical oncologist, Dr. Atuhani Burnett, to determine whether an operation could reduce or even eliminate his cancer. What Steve didn’t realize at the time was that Dr. Burnett was about to change his life.“We researched Dr. Burnett in advance of our first meeting with him, and it was clear he had an impressive level of understanding and knowledge,” Steve recalled. 

During their initial consultation, Dr. Burnett had the critical task of identifying the origin of Steve’s cancer. “Nobody knew where it had spread from,” Dr. Burnett said. “He was being treated in a palliative, almost hospice approach.” 

Faced with the grim reality that without an aggressive operation, Steve would only have six months to live, Dr. Burnett was determined to offer more than just answers, he aimed to give Steve hope. “I had a suspicion that he had appendix cancer. These cancers are often eligible for a Cytoreductive surgery (CRS), where we meticulously remove the cancer piece by piece,” Dr. Burnett said.

After more testing and scans, Steve’s care team was able to diagnose him with appendix cancer, making him eligible for CRS. When Dr. Burnett delivered the news, Steve knew in his heart this was the path to take. He recounted: “Dr. Burnett’s explanation of what might be possible through the surgery was very thorough, and instead of dread, he gave me hope.” 

Collaborative care during Cytoreductive surgery

Steve, who had never had surgery before, put his complete faith in the hands of Dr. Burnett and his team as he geared up for the 10-hour procedure: “One thing that really helped were my appointments with Dr. Burnett’s team. When he brought his team in, I was so impressed with the people he had assembled,” he said. “Dr. Zhao, the PAs, and the nurses—it was clear that they all were committed to me and invested in my case from the get-go.”

The operation involved the removal of every visible piece of cancer in Steve’s abdomen followed by the administration of hot chemotherapy directly inserted into his abdominal cavity to eliminate remaining cancer cells. The surgery was successful, and after recovering in the hospital, Steve was able to go home.

Rehabilitation to help build strength post-surgery

Once Steve was released from the hospital, he still had another obstacle ahead of him: regaining his strength. “Dr. Burnett and his team were constantly checking on me,” Steve remembered, “I struggled with weakness. I had lost a lot of my strength and stamina, but Dr. Burnett encouraged me to focus on physical and occupational therapy.”

Steve rose to the occasion in order to get back to the activities he loved. Of Dr. Burnett’s motivation, Steve said, “he was almost like a trainer. He would tell me, ‘I know it’s tough, but you have to get up, and we have to get you moving.’” 

Returning to activities after surviving cancer 

After completing intensive physical therapy, Steve defied the odds once again and reconnected with his passions. Though he has traded his running regimen for daily walks on the trails near his condo, his own strength has amazed him: “I went from having very little strength to walking 5Ks and doing weight training,” he marveled. Golf clubs are back in hand, and he is enjoying rounds on the course with his neighbor and daughter.

Steve is now three years post-surgery and without any sign of recurrent disease thanks to Dr. Burnett’s life-saving operation and being on maintenance chemotherapy. Steve and Dr. Burnett still meet periodically for check-ins, and they even crossed paths at a 5K benefit walk for cancer research. Dr. Burnett reflected, “I love being able to help patients. I love being able to see them afterwards and know that in some way, I was part of their journey.” 

From diagnosis to recovery, Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Care will be there every step of the way. Click here to explore cutting-edge oncology programs close to home.