Skip to Footer content Important Information about our COVID-19 Visitor Policy More Info × Your FCS Experience Florida Cancer Specialists patients share their experience We understand that no two cancer patients are alike, and neither is their treatment journey. Each patient’s journey, though, has some common traits: strength, determination, persistence and sense of hope in the battle against cancer. Our patients inspire us every day. We tell their stories here, in their words, as a tribute to them. Search by Keyword Search by Cancer Type Cancer Type: Search Reset Form Stephanie Peace A visit to her dermatologist to check what she thought were simple skin lesions indicated that Stephanie had cancer. Tests later revealed the diagnosis of Stage IV lung cancer. The schoolteacher and mother of three had never smoked. A biomarker test performed by FCS medical oncologist Dr. Syed F. Zafar found a rare genetic mutation. Stephanie continues to inspire others with her resilience and determination. Read More Emmanuel George Emmanuel George, of Crawfordville, had received the results of the routine blood work done to monitor his diabetes when his primary care physician referred him to an oncologist, Dr. Scott Tetreault at FCS. Read More Isabel Owens Hearing the words “you have cancer” is a heart-stopping, gut-wrenching, breath-arresting moment when time seems to freeze. For the physicians, nurses, technicians, counselors and support staff members in the Florida Cancer Specialists network, dealing with the emotional toll of a cancer diagnosis is as important as treating the cancer itself. Read More Marissa Lenney Marissa Lenney and her husband were happily building their life together—pursuing their careers and moving into a new house. They knew that having a child would complete their family. What they didn’t know is that the pregnancy would spur an estrogen and progesterone-fed form of inflammatory breast cancer. Within 24 hours of her diagnosis, Marissa had her first appointment at her local Florida Cancer Specialists to start her chemotherapy treatment. Read More Neil Breitenbach When champion kart racer, Neil Breitenbach, felt a sharp pain in his chest, he never expected to be diagnosed with stage 3 metastatic breast cancer. From his very first consultation with Florida Cancer Specialists, Neil knew he was in the best place he could be because of FCS’ ongoing advances in breast cancer research. His care team put him at ease — listening to every question and laying out a personalized treatment plan — and they’ve been fighting together ever since. Read More Peggy Moore Peggy and Brian Moore first met at her parent’s home when Brian was a Peace Corps volunteer. It took 34 years for fate to bring the couple together in marriage. Since they wed, Peggy has survived breast cancer and now, thanks to Dr. Vikas Malhotra in Hernando County, she is beating the odds and recovering from pancreatic cancer. Read More Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Website Accessibility Statement Copyright ® Florida Cancer Specialists PageAssist