John Majewski received life-changing news more than eight years ago when he was diagnosed with advanced appendix cancer.<\/p>\n
That revelation started John and his wife, Mary, on a journey neither expected to travel. Since then, they have faced countless challenges together, drawing strength from their faith, each other, and the many caregivers who have walked beside them, especially their doctors and caregivers from St. Luke\u2019s University Health Network.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery day is another gift for me,\u201d John said of his fight against the extremely rare cancer, which affects only one or two people out of a million each year in the United States. \u201cI\u2019ve been in this fight for nine years. Every day is\u00a0tough,\u00a0but every day is a gift.\u201d<\/p>\n
His oncology team at St. Luke\u2019s (surgical oncologist Darius Desai, MD; medical oncologist Yacoub Faroun, MD; nurse Kendra Makovsky and radiation oncologist David Andolino, MD) has worked collaboratively with doctors from Temple Fox Chase and Memorial Sloane Kettering to provide the best care possible. Because of this teamwork, John was able to receive highly specialized cancer care close to his Bethlehem Township home.<\/p>\n
\u201cSt. Luke\u2019s Anderson Campus has been my home away from home for a while now,\u201d John said of his treatments. \u201cMost medical oncologists go through their whole career and never see this kind of cancer. Fortunately for me, Dr. Desai was trained in performing \u2018the Mother of All Surgeries\u2019 for advanced abdominal cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n
The cancer was first diagnosed as stage 4C in 2017 when John\u2019s appendix was removed by St. Luke\u2019s general surgeon Richard Conron, DO.\u00a0<\/strong>Dr. Desai then performed the extensive and high-risk collection of major surgeries vital for any chance of survival.\u00a0Dr. Faroun, a board-certified hematologist\/oncologist, has treated him since 2018 when\u00a0lung metastasis had progressed.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery time I see him, he says we\u2019re fighting this together,\u201d Dr. Faroun said. \u201cHe has a positive attitude. He is willing to fight it. He has excellent family support with his wife and kids and grandkids … He is a man of faith, and he believes in God and believes that they are all with him in this fight.\u201d<\/p>\n Over the years, John has undergone many treatments as\u00a0the cancer\u00a0spread to other parts of his body. Some treatments slowed the disease, while others brought only temporary relief. Yet through every setback, he has remained determined to keep moving forward.<\/p>\n John\u00a0also credits the Appendix Cancer PMP Research Foundation with guidance in navigating potential studies and treatments. St. Luke\u2019s is currently administering John a promising investigational immunotherapy. St. Luke\u2019s nurse navigator Beige Zinkler was instrumental in working to get John started as soon as possible.<\/p>\n One of the most meaningful expressions of that determination stands in his backyard. As a labor of love, John built what he calls his “Gratitude Grotto,” a peaceful place for reflection, prayer and thanksgiving. The grotto serves as a daily reminder of the blessings he finds despite the ongoing battle with cancer.<\/p>\n While John’s journey has included periods of intense pain and uncertainty, he recalls finding comfort through the support of loved ones and simply holding Mary’s hand during his most difficult moments. Those experiences helped shape the mindset that continues to guide him today: patience through suffering, gratitude in every circumstance, and hope no matter the odds.<\/p>\n John remains focused on enjoying life with his family and creating lasting memories. Though his journey continues and the future remains uncertain, his resolve has never wavered.<\/p>\n His team at St. Luke\u2019s has been beside him the entire time.<\/p>\n “When my cancer journey began, I wasn’t sure how much time I had,” John reflects. “Today, years later, my heart is still full of gratitude.”<\/p>\n Through every challenge, John has remained resilient and full of hope. His experience is a powerful reminder that while cancer can change the course of a life, it does not define it. Even in the hardest moments, there is always a reason to be grateful and find hope.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n About St. Luke\u2019s<\/strong><\/p>\n Founded in 1872, St. Luke\u2019s University Health Network (SLUHN) is a fully integrated, regional, non-profit network with annual net revenue of more than $4.5 billion. With 23,000+ employees at 16 hospital campuses and 350+ outpatient sites, it is the Lehigh Valley\u2019s biggest employer.<\/p>\n The Network\u2019s service area includes 11 counties in two states: Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Montgomery, Monroe, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties in Pennsylvania and Warren and Hunterdon counties in New Jersey. St. Luke\u2019s Children\u2019s Hospital is based at the Bethlehem Campus.<\/p>\n Dedicated to advancing medical education, St. Luke\u2019s is the preeminent teaching hospital in central-eastern Pennsylvania. In partnership with Temple University, the Network established the Lehigh Valley\u2019s first and only four-year medical school. It also operates the nation\u2019s oldest continuously operated School of Nursing, established in 1884, and 60+ fully accredited graduate medical educational programs with 550+ residents and fellows. Additionally, the St. Luke\u2019s College of Health Sciences opened in 2026.<\/p>\n In a 2025 study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, St. Luke\u2019s received the highest quality score of the nation\u2019s recognized three highest performing health systems. This objective recognition, based on public data reported to the government, reaffirms St. Luke\u2019s preeminent position as THE BEST OF THE BEST among the most respected health care systems in the United States.<\/p>\n St. Luke\u2019s has been named a Leapfrog Group Top Hospital and a Newsweek World\u2019s Best Hospital. In 2026, all of the Network\u2019s eligible hospital campuses were awarded Medicare\u2019s highest ratings for quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction. The Network also earned straight A\u2019s for safety from Leapfrog across all of its acute care hospitals. It has earned 100 Top Hospital designations from Premier 12 years in a row, including in 2026 when the Network was identified as THE #1 MEDIUM-SIZE HEALTH SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY. Utilizing the Epic electronic medical record (EMR) system for both inpatient and outpatient services, the Network is a multi-year recipient of the Most Wired award recognizing the breadth of SLUHN\u2019s information technology applications such as telehealth, online scheduling and online pricing information.<\/p>\n Information provided to TVL by: John Majewski received life-changing news more than eight years ago when he was diagnosed with advanced appendix cancer. That revelation started John and his wife, Mary, on a journey neither expected to travel. Since then, they have faced countless challenges together, drawing strength from their faith, each other, and the many caregivers who have walked … Continue reading Coordinating Specialized Care after Rare Cancer Diagnosis<\/span>
\nSam Kennedy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"