Life After Cancer: A Survivor’s Story of Resilience and Recovery
Mike Hellem has always been fastidious about his health. For several years, he diligently monitored a precancerous lesion at the spot where his esophagus meets his stomach, keeping up with regular checkups and procedures to stay ahead of any changes. In 2024, during one of these follow-ups, doctors discovered that the lesion had progressed. They attempted to remove it through the endoscope; however, they were unable to do so completely as it had progressed to cancer. Faced with fear and uncertainty, Hellem made a bold decision: to take charge of his care and seek out the best path forward.
Determined to find the right team, Hellem turned to intensive online research and discovered that doctors at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of UHealth – University of Miami’s Health System, had extensive experience treating esophageal cancer. He quickly scheduled an appointment.
A personalized cancer plan saved his life.
At Sylvester, a team of specialists developed a personalized plan that included targeted chemotherapy, advanced robot-assisted surgery and post-operative therapies. Today, Hellem is cancer-free and returning to the life he loves. “They saved my life,” he says.
When Hellem arrived at Sylvester in June 2024, he met with Bach Ardalan, M.D., a gastrointestinal medical oncologist who started Hellem on a series of eight chemotherapy sessions to help reduce the size of the tumor before surgery.
Next came the surgery. Given the location of Hellem’s tumor, the surgeons removed Hellem’s esophagus and the upper portion of his stomach – an intensive procedure where the remainder of the stomach is reshaped and repositioned in the chest to function in place of the esophagus.
In January, two of Sylvester’s leading surgeons — Nipun Merchant, M.D., Chief of Sylvester’s Surgical Oncology Division, and Nestor Ricardo Villamizar, M.D., a thoracic surgeon — performed the operation.
Wrap-around treatment from surgery to post-operative therapies helps recovery.
Dr. Merchant worked on Hellem’s abdomen while Dr. Villamizar worked in the chest. They used robotic technology to mobilize the esophagus in the chest, remove the tumor in the esophagus and guide the reshaped stomach into place. “In the past, this was done manually, through a large incision,” Dr. Merchant explained. “You have to work by feel, not always by direct sight, pressing near the heart, and risking irregular heart rhythms. The robotic approach is far more precise and safer for patients. It means fewer complications and a smoother recovery.”
After surgery, Hellem embraced Sylvester’s wide range of post-operative therapies. He participated in physical therapy, yoga, art therapy, music therapy and is planning to try acupuncture.
Art is powerful on the psyche and healing.
For Hellem, these services were especially meaningful. Before retiring to Miami in 2006, he and his partner, Antonio del Moral, built successful careers in the hotel industry – Hellem opening new hotels for Choice Hotels International and del Moral serving as director of interior design for Marriott International.
In Miami, together, they opened Adelmo Gallery in Little Havana to showcase Hispanic artists. Although the gallery closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, they reopened it in their home, offering art classes and personalized training.
That explains why Hellem has become a regular at Sylvester’s therapy sessions. He wants everyone – artist and non-artist alike – to understand the value of those services. “All of these resources helped me become stronger and more independent,” he says. “It’s really opened my eyes to a positive path for healing after cancer.”
Dr. Merchant credits Hellem’s dedication to learning about his condition as a key factor in his successful recovery. “Mr. Hellem is one of the most informed patients I’ve ever met,” Merchant says with a smile.
Hellem expresses his gratitude in his own way. He often brings his care team croissants from his favorite French bakery in Miami or artwork from his gallery. “That’s my way of giving back to them,” Hellem says. “They know how much I appreciate them.” Dr. Merchant is well aware of that. When asked recently about a painting of a flower that Hellem gifted to him, Merchant excitedly spun around in his office chair and pointed, “I have it right here in my office!”
Written by Alan Gomez for Sylvester.
Tags: Cancer resilience, Cancer survivor stories, Dr. Bach Ardalan, Dr. Nestor Villamizar, Dr. Nipun Merchant, Health and wellness after cancer, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
