When Johnny Lombard came to the JPS Health Network Oncology and Infusion Center (OIC), he had just received a diagnosis that would stop most people in their tracks: stage 4 small-cell lung cancer. The prognosis? Six months to live.
“I thought it was over,” Lombard said. “I asked myself, what do I even do with the time I have left?”
However, thanks to the unwavering support of his family and the comprehensive, compassionate, and expert care he received at the OIC, Lombard didn’t just survive for six months. He’s still here, six years later.
Lombard’s care team at JPS displayed dedication from the first appointment. Not only did they explain his diagnosis in terms he and his family could understand, but they also built a customized treatment plan that addressed not just his cancer, but him as a person.
“Dr. Lingam, his oncologist, sat with us and didn’t rush,” said Susan Weeks, Lombard’s wife. “She laid out a plan and gave us the one thing we had lost: hope.”
At JPS, patients receive personalized treatment planning grounded in the latest clinical guidelines. Care is delivered by a collaborative team that includes oncologists, nurses, and pain management specialists, ensuring an all-inclusive approach to everyone’s needs. Radiation services are tailored to provide effective, targeted treatment for complex cases where traditional surgery isn’t an option.
“It’s not just about chemo,” Lombard explained. “It’s about having a team that helps you fight every day.”
Cancer treatment often comes with side effects like dehydration, nausea, and chronic fatigue, which were just as debilitating for Lombard. What made a difference was the wraparound care provided by JPS.
“I’d get chemo on Wednesdays, fluids and nausea meds on Fridays, and if I didn’t, I’d be back in the hospital,” Lombard said. “But they were always ready. They knew what I needed before I even had to ask.”
The OIC is designed with proactive, whole-person care. Services include on-site hydration therapy to help manage chemotherapy-related dehydration and flexible infusion scheduling that accommodates personalized schedules. The center also emphasizes seamless coordination with pain management providers, who ensured that Lombard had continuous access to necessary medications, even planning to cover periods like vacations.
“Johnny takes a lot of medication to manage the pain,” said his mother-in-law, Sharon Henize. “His care team at JPS always works with us. They always made sure he felt seen, heard, and valued.”
Cancer doesn’t wait for office hours, nor does the JPS team. Consistent communication from Lombard’s care team built confidence along their journey.
“We called. We emailed. And they always got back to us,” said Weeks.
For Lombard and his family, it’s that responsiveness and communication that elevated their experience and strengthened their fight. Whether it was a medication refill, a question about symptoms, or scheduling an infusion, the JPS team was there and continues to be there, every step of the way.
When Lombard reflects on his journey, he doesn’t just talk about the treatments. He talks about the people.
“The doctors and nurses at JPS didn’t treat me like a number,” he said. “They treated me like family. They care. That makes all the difference.”
It’s something patients at the OIC experience daily. A culture that prioritizes dignity, compassion, and emotional support as much as clinical excellence. Lombard says it best, from being greeted by name to walking the halls with doctors who stop to check in: “At JPS, it’s personal.”
Lombard is now six years past a six-month prognosis. His cancer is stable, his spirit is strong, and he’s living surrounded by the people he loves and the team that helped him fight to get here.
“If I could tell other patients one thing, it’s this: Don’t give up. And trust JPS,” Lombard said. “Their care saved my life.”
If you or a loved one is facing cancer, the JPS Health Network Oncology and Infusion Center offers more than treatment. We provide a team, a plan, and a partnership in your fight. With state-of-the-art therapies, compassionate care, and an unwavering commitment to your journey, JPS is here to walk beside you every step. Learn more by visiting https://www.jpshealthnet.org/locations/oncology-infusion-center or call us today at 817-702-8300.
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