BOBÌåÓý

When Sheila Lee visited her doctor for stomach pain in 2019, she never expected to be diagnosed with rectal cancer. A devoted mother of two and proud grandmother to twins, Sheila spent her life caring for others and building a foundation of faith alongside her husband of 37 years. Though the road ahead would require relying on that faith and support from her family, Sheila also found strength in the power of trust.

“My husband and I were stunned. We never suspected anything like that,� the 54-year-old from Live Oak, Florida, said.“The doctor reassured me, saying she’d refer me to one of the best doctors around.�

Still reeling from the shock, Sheila was sent to Thomas Read, MD, FACS, FASCRS, a well-respected colorectal surgeon at BOBÌåÓý. Dr. Read’s compassion and relatability would become a valuable resource for Sheila as she faced an uncertain future.

“He’s very straightforward, but at the same time, incredibly compassionate,� Sheila said. “He doesn’t beat around the bush, and that’s what I love about him. I honestly trust him 110%.�

A practitioner at BOBÌåÓý for 26 years, Dr. Read said earning patient trust and establishing a relationship is key when cancer treatment begins.

“I try to relate to patients as myself, not just as a doctor, and try to be open and honest with them about what I’m thinking,� Dr. Read said. “Hopefully, they’ll be open and honest about what they’re thinking, and we can design a path forward together.�

Following radiation and chemotherapy treatment, Sheila prepared for surgery to remove the cancer.

“That was the scariest day of my life because I didn’t want to leave my kids, and I didn’t want to leave my husband and two grandbabies,� Sheila said. “But I looked at Dr. Read and said, ‘I trust you.’�

After the eight-hour operation, Sheila began her long but successful journey back to health.

“We have a very high cure rate for colorectal cancer,� Dr. Read said. “It’s gratifying to see people like Sheila Lee beat it.�

Dr. Read’s devotion to his work has earned him numerous accolades, including serving as president of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, president of the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, and governor of the American College of Surgeons.

“You engender a patient’s trust, so you have to honor that trust with dedication to honing your skills,� Dr. Read said. “I went into colorectal surgery because there’s a lot of colorectal illness in the world, and a lot of people need our help.�

In 2023, over 150,000 people in the U.S. were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, with approximately 53,000 fatalities attributed to the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. Globally, colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death.

While Dr. Read is responsible for treating colorectal cancer and related diseases, he is also an advocate for regular screening. Although early detection from standard screening improves survival rates, only 35% of all colorectal cancers are caught in the early stages. This is partly due to a lack of knowledge regarding the importance of routine screenings.

Screening is recommended for average-risk adults ages 45 or older, with frequency based on each patient’s history and overall health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Persons at higher risk for colorectal cancer because of a family history of the disease, a genetic syndrome, or a personal history of colitis may need to start screening at a younger age. Several screening methods can be used, including colonoscopy and stool tests.

Dr. Read notes that combining early detection and skilled treatment makes the difference in giving patients their best chance against a devastating diagnosis.

“When you can help people through difficult problems and see them come out the other end, it’s incredibly rewarding,� he said.

Part of that reward is the chance to see his patients recover. Although Dr. Read now sees Sheila less frequently, he says his entire office looks forward to her visits.

Sheila also cherishes her visits with the doctor she now calls a friend. She shares her new take on life with him, including more trips with family to the Suwannee River, date nights out with her husband Jeffrey, and living life to the fullest every day.

“I never thought I’d walk into that doctor’s office that day and they’d tell me that I had cancer,� Sheila said. “But I’m 54, and my husband and I, we’ve got a lot of life ahead of us. We’re going to live our lives and do all the things we want to do.�