A Healing Destination

Phyllis Davis, a 33-year cancer survivor, finds hope in the team-based approach at Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso

By Charlotte Tallman

Thirty-three years ago, Phyllis Davis went to a routine checkup and had her first mammogram. Two days later, she was facing one of the hardest decisions of her life: getting a mastectomy and chemotherapy to remove cancer in her breast or a lumpectomy and radiation. She chose the mastectomy.

“To say I was shocked to find out I had cancer was an understatement,” Davis said. “Physically, the surgery and chemo were unpleasant but not terribly traumatic. Emotionally, I was having trouble coping. I had two teenage sons I was determined to be there for and a husband I wanted to grow old with. I was terrified of dying despite reassurances from my doctors that I would be fine.” Davis was fine until she wasn’t.

In 2001, her arm started going numb, and in 2002, a biopsy of a lymph node showed cancer had returned.

Davis’ previous caregivers asked her to call if she started feeling sick. That didn’t sit right with her, so she sought treatment at the Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso Breast Care Center, where oncologist Sumit Gaur, M.D., biopsied her tumor and recommended a change in medication.

“I feel blessed to have found him because he searched for my best treatment and worked with my care team to provide it,” Davis said. Cases like Davis’ are why TTP El Paso is known for worldclass patient care. TTP El Paso is the region’s most extensive multispecialty medical group practice, with over 250 specialists who are also faculty at the Foster School of Medicine.

Thanks to the incredible specialists and world-class facilities at Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso, I can live an upbeat life, limit negative thoughts and do everything I can with the days I have.

— Phyllis Davis

The joy of family, friends and furry friends: A cancer diagnosis hasn’t changed Phyllis Davis’ positive outlook on life.