KANSAS CITY, Kan. - John Jambrosic is the kind of guy who takes just about everything in stride.
Even a deadly disease.
"They said man you're a sick dude," said John.
Jambrosic remembers when he saw a team of doctors at The University of Kansas Hospital.
But even when the retired KCK firefighter learned he had end stage liver cancer, he saw no reason to change is attitude.
"They said boy you've got alot of cancer in your liver," Jambrosic said. "We give you 3 months".
So the team came together with a new procedure that just might give John more time.
The tumors in John's liver were so large -about the size of a softball- the doctors couldn't promise much.
"I didn't think whatever we tried would work, said Dr. Richard Gilroy.
But John was willing to give it a shot. "I didn't have much choice."
The team injected John's tumors with a new, "smart treatment", which comprised of little seeds called Thera-Spheres loaded with radiation.
After two months of treatment and very little pain, all the cancer was gone.
Doctors were amazed, while John's reaction was a little more low key.
With a quiet chuckle John said, "That's cool."
Six months after the cancer was gone, John recieved a new, transplanted liver. His life is nearly normal today. His doctors are delighted with the progress he's made, and hopeful for other patients in the future.
"Seeing this demonstrated a clear benefit is going to drive us to see how many more people we can help", said Dr. Gilroy.
John's advice for other cancer patients is oddly enough, denial.
Don't let cancer get in your way.
"Keep an upbeat attitude." John said. "Keep plugging away.. do what you gotta do every day."
