HIPEC Patient Stories

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, or HIPEC, is an example of an advanced cancer treatment program offered at Henry Ford Health. Each patient’s journey is unique, and we are grateful for those who allow us to share their stories here.

Read and learn how this innovative treatment is impacting and extending lives.

Tim’s Story

What began as routine fatigue for 41-year-old Tim Martin quickly became a life-changing diagnosis of stage 4 colon cancer that had spread throughout his abdominal cavity. With only a 15-20% five-year survival rate, Tim and his wife, Elizabeth, refused to let statistics define their future.

Gene Chelsey

When Gene Chelsey is given a grim diagnosis following the discovery of a rare, difficult-to-treat abdominal cancer, doctors give him a radical option: heated chemotherapy. Delivered during surgery, this new approach is giving patients hope for recovery from this challenging disease.

 

Bill's Story

When former sergeant Bill Ash was diagnosed with advanced appendix cancer, a rare disease affecting fewer than 1,000 Americans annually, he was told he had only one to two years to live. But a chance encounter led him to Dr. Richard Berri and the innovative HIPEC treatment program at Henry Ford St. John Hospital.

George's Story

When construction professional George Susewitz noticed persistent abdominal swelling in 2019, he never imagined it would lead to a diagnosis of stage 4 peritoneal mesothelioma. With traditional treatments offering just six months of survival, George's future looked grim.