Georgia Physician Magazine

Leaving Room for Hope
Dr. Charles Henderson knows firsthand the importance of compassion.

Everyone loves Dr. Henderson. To his patients, he's a lifeline. To his two children, he's a terrific dad. His staff adores him. Henderson has always been a kind, caring oncologist with an upfront, honest style of treating his sick patients, many of whom have had terminal cancer.

After treating cancer patients for over 25 years, how does a doctor this successful become any better at the way he practices medicine? Is it even possible? The answer is, "Yes." But getting there was a journey that was life threatening, terrifying and, some may even say, the cruelest of ironies.

In fall of 2003, Charles Henderson, M.D., who practices oncology at Peachtree Hematology and Oncology Consultants in Atlanta, noticed swollen nodes just under his jaw line, under his skin. A slight discomfort in his throat added to his suspicions, but the incredibly busy physician put off investigating the situation until after the Christmas holidays. Henderson's family, his patients and his research came first. Besides, he was the mark of good health, having recently run the Chicago marathon that October.

After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, Henderson sought treatment. In January 2004, he went to his friend and ear, nose and throat specialist, Andy Carter, M.D., to have a biopsy done on the questionable lumps. When the results returned, Henderson's life, and the way he practices medicine, changed forever.

Henderson was diagnosed with head-and-neck cancer, which normally carries a 50 percent survival rating. "I knew from the expression on [Carter's] face that it was cancer," says Henderson. "This type of cancer is seen in smokers 90 percent of the time. I ignored it for a couple of months and still thought it would be benign. The symptoms with this type of cancer are not always as obvious."

Experts and cancer survivors often preach that early detection is key. Although Henderson did delay the initial investigation of his symptoms, he found himself in the unique position of knowing what was to come regarding treatments. Whether that knowledge made the situation worse or better is subjective. Henderson says he knew what would be ahead with radiation: fatigue, dry mouth, difficult and painful swallowing and a general loss of appetite.

"Knowing what was coming was both good and bad," he says. "I was dreading the treatments, but I knew there was a limit to the time I'd be sick. I knew I could get through it."

Henderson essentially had a team of doctors, most of them colleagues, to treat him. But he chose a young, bright doctor with whom he'd have less emotional attachment to become his medial oncologist. Henderson, after all, had grown close to many of the best oncologists in Atlanta. Eric Mininberg, M.D., had finished his fellowship training at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in 2003, and Henderson had full confidence he'd deliver the best in treatment and care. Fred Schwaibold, M.D., was Henderson's radiation oncologist, and Amy Chen, a head-and-neck doctor from Emory Healthcare, did his post-radiation biopsies of the primary tumor site and lymph node dissection.

Henderson received daily radiation in the morning and late afternoon. High doses of radiation left him feeling wiped out, yet he still managed to go to his office every day and review his patients' charts and handled paperwork. For two months, he couldn't truly work with his patients, because he couldn't talk. His neck and throat were being pummeled with radiation, rendering his voice defunct.

Henderson's 20-pound weight loss was due to a port infection that developed where a feeding tube was inserted into his stomach. He deveoped pneumonia and was hospitalized. There, he was fed both through the tube and intravenously.

The experience that began in January 2003 lasted for over two months. And, although Henderson says he "adapted to the illness," that acceptance wasn't so easy for those around him. "The illness was tough on the staff," he says. "I'd been a pillar of strength in the past, and I was suddenly knocked flat."

Henderson's two adult sons were frightened as well, which may be why he is closer than ever to his family today. "In many ways, I am more religious, and I don't take anything for granted," he says. "And I laugh a little more." He credits his family and friends with helping him to get through the ordeal, along with hefty doses of prayer and laughter.

While the positive effects of supportive family and friends, prayer and laughter surely kept Henderson on a path to wellness, he was lucky in other ways. "Not all doctors share my extreme enthusiasm for what I do," he says. "My work is my passion. It keeps me going. Researching new drug therapies and treatment options keeps me enthusiastic."

That drive to research cutting-edge treatments that offer cancer patients promise of living longer has become Henderson's defining characteristic. Three weekends of every month are spent traveling to conferences and symposiums around the United States to learn about the latest drugs and methods of improving care.

"Twenty-to-30 new chemo and other anti-cancer drugs are explored each year," says Henderson. "There are some great nausea medicines out now that produce a better quality of life for patients while they undergo treatments. The side effects of chemo are much different than they used to be."

Henderson says that he always had a warm, caring demeanor with his patients. And while he insisted on straightforward honesty for all of his patients, he always made it a point to be positive. "I have seen some walking miracles," he says. "I liked to focus on the optimism and leave room for hope."

Today, Henderson is the same compassionate oncologist he always was, but with a slightly different approach. "I don't hurry with my patients or let outside stresses or hassles interfere," he says. "I am slower and more patient, and I have a greater focus on patient education."

Henderson says the nurses at Peachtree Hematology and Oncology are instrumental in providing that patient education, teaching the patients what to expect regarding the treatments and the side effects. Knowledge is power, for everyone. That might make Henderson the most powerful oncologist in Georgia. nGP