In 2010, Glenn Sykes was working abroad in higher education and had just landed in London, a favorite destination of his, for a few days of business. However, the thrill of being in a foreign city quickly turned into fear when he found himself navigating an unfamiliar health system. Glenn discovered blood in his urine, and while at the emergency department he was told there was a mass on his kidney — presumed by the doctors to be kidney cancer. He was only 51.
While Glenn had spent much of his adult life living away from Philadelphia, he always considered the city to be his home. So, when Glenn faced his cancer diagnosis, he knew where he wanted to be. “I wanted the comforts of Philadelphia, where there are incredible health systems, cancer centers, and research,” shares Glenn.
Having spent his “second” career as an educator, Glenn’s passion for knowledge was prominent in response to his diagnosis. He found it helpful to get involved in patient education groups — to learn from others about his diagnosis and what might be coming down the road. “For me, I found it less isolating to become a part of online groups and advocacy networks,” he says.
Embracing the Kidney Cancer Community
Glenn’s embrace of the kidney cancer community would soon take on new meaning when he met his future oncologist, Naomi Haas, MD, at a conference in Texas. Glenn attended the conference in an effort to meet other patients and to learn from many great speakers, including Dr. Haas herself as a leading oncologist and researcher from Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center.
Serendipitously, the two also found themselves on the same flight back home to Philadelphia and had the opportunity to share a ride to the airport together, offering a unique chance to get to know one another more. Dr. Haas spoke honestly and openly about the reality of Glenn’s stage three kidney cancer diagnosis. For Glenn, this level of transparency was what he realized he wanted in an oncologist, and she helped bring a deeper sense of clarity to his situation. “I had watched my father and a few friends go through cancer treatments, and I knew what I wanted, and did not want, in my care,” says Glenn.
From Glenn’s perspective, a university-based research hospital, like Penn, has so many benefits, including incredible doctors and a wealth of knowledge about current research and other specialists, even outside the institution. “One of the most valuable aspects of going to Penn Medicine is that if they cannot provide the right care for you, they want to lead you to the next best place. Penn provides the best of both worlds, and they always have the patient’s best interest in mind,” he shares.
In 2015, after almost five years of remission, Glenn’s cancer metastasized. The close relationship he has with Dr. Haas has become even more meaningful as they work together to control his cancer. “My cancer is slow-growing, so to have someone I trust to be at my side is very important to me. I like to think of it as if I’m in the driver’s seat, and Dr. Haas is in the passenger seat helping me navigate,” says Glenn.
Life After Retirement
Glenn, now retired, has focused his time and energy on what works best for him: keeping himself informed, staying in control of what he can — and accepting what he can’t. He also finds comfort and community in sharing his knowledge and experience with others in support groups, as well as being a research advocate. In this role, his goal is to represent the patient voice. He takes what he learns from interacting with patients — the realities of their diagnosis and treatment — and shares it with doctors for their research. The patient’s perspective plays a major role in research, and the future of diagnoses, treatment, and patient experience.
Glenn has benefited from drugs and local therapies, while doing his best to remain optimistic about his options and care. But like many, he is not cured and he continues to fight this ongoing battle daily. “Some days are harder than others when you have cancer. I try my best to remain positive, and in the driver’s seat, when it comes to my disease. Sometimes that looks like reading about the latest in cancer research or exploring a new clinical trial, while other times it is joining in a patient support group and connecting with others. Having a trusted co-pilot like Dr. Haas makes it a whole lot easier to focus on the road ahead,” says Glenn.