Celebrate Cancer Survivors Day with Wellstar

Eric Janeau, a former All-American offensive tackle who once played football at Kansas State University and Western Illinois University and trained with the Detroit Lions, faced a host of serious health conditions—a rare form of bile duct cancer, obesity, heart failure, kidney disease and diabetes. With the support of his tight-knit network of doctors and the Wellstar Center for Best Health, Eric is overcoming these obstacles and inspiring others through his remarkable weight loss journey.

Life change kickoff: A rare cancer diagnosis 

In 2021, Eric was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive bile duct cancer.

“I was in disbelief,” Eric remembered. “I didn’t eat all weekend.”

The only cure was surgery, but at 11 centimeters, the tumor was too large to be removed. Under the care of Medical Oncologist Dr. Carmen Klass, Eric began chemotherapy. At the time, he didn’t realize just how dismal his chances were for survival. At stage 4, the survival rate for this cancer type is 1%, with only four to six months to live if treatment isn’t successful.

Eric began chemotherapy accompanied by additional hydration to help with his heart failure and steroid shots that caused him to gain weight during treatment. After 12 rounds and six cycles of chemo, his body responded excellently—the mass shrunk by 40%. Surgical Oncologist Dr. Sahir Shroff re-evaluated him and cleared him for surgery to remove the tumor in early 2022.

Today, Eric is cancer free.

One team, one goal: Eric’s health comeback 

Eric’s journey didn’t end with cancer treatment. He also faced severe obesity, putting him at risk for life-threatening conditions like heart disease and stroke. Dr. Klass was concerned and took the time to address Eric’s other health concerns.

“Dr. Klass and Dr. Shroff keep up with my health and they keep each other informed of what’s going on,” Eric said. “They're totally invested in my well-being.”

After chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumor, Dr. Klass referred Eric to Dr. Mitzi Rubin at Wellstar Center for Best Health. It was time to lose weight and get his diabetes and high blood pressure in check.

Wellstar Cobb Medical Center hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its Obstetric Emergency Department, offering 24/7 specialized care for pregnant and postpartum patients.

Hospital and system leaders gathered alongside community partners to mark the milestone, including Cobb County Commissioner Monique Sheffield, Wellstar Chief of Women’s Health Dr. Paula Greaves and Wellstar Cobb President Eliese Bernard.

“As we continue building the vision for women’s health at Wellstar Cobb, this new Obstetric Emergency Department represents an important step forward for our community,” said Bernard. “We’re proud to be the first in our area to deliver dedicated emergency care for pregnant and postpartum patients, and to give families a caring, reassuring place when they need it most.”

The Obstetric Emergency Department provides expert evaluation and treatment for patients who are 20 weeks pregnant through six weeks postpartum. Patients have direct access to board-certified obstetric providers, supported by a coordinated team of maternal-fetal medicine specialists, anesthesiologists, neonatologists, nurses and midwives.

Services include rapid care for urgent pregnancy concerns, management of pregnancy-related conditions such as hypertension or gestational diabetes, and monitoring for postpartum complications. Families also receive compassionate guidance and resources, including support during high-risk pregnancies or loss.

“Pregnancy can bring moments of uncertainty and having immediate access to obstetric experts can make all the difference,” said Dr. Jessica Williams, OB/GYN medical director at Wellstar Cobb. “The Obstetric Emergency Department allows us to respond quickly, provide clarity and help families feel supported from the moment they walk through the door.”

Georgia continues to experience one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation, with disparities particularly affecting Black women. Many of these outcomes are preventable with timely access to specialized care. The Obstetric Emergency Department at Wellstar Cobb helps address these challenges by advancing Wellstar’s commitment to reducing maternal health disparities and improving perinatal outcomes. The department ensures patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time and in a safe and supportive environment.

This expansion of maternal care services enhances Wellstar Cobb’s comprehensive Women’s Center and complements its full-service Labor & Delivery program and Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, reinforcing Wellstar’s mission to deliver world-class healthcare to every patient and family we serve.

If you had to guess which cancer took the most lives in America, what would your guess be?

“Lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer killer in the U.S. for both women and men since 1986,” said Dr. Daniel Miller. Dr. Miller is the chief of thoracic surgery and the director of the Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center lung cancer screening program.

About 80% of lung cancer cases are associated with cigarette smoking, including secondhand smoke. Unfortunately, when symptoms begin showing, the cancer has already spread, making treatment very time-sensitive. When a patient is diagnosed, their care team typically includes not just one, but four doctors: a thoracic surgeon, an interventional pulmonologist, a medical oncologist and a radiation oncologist. There are many benefits to having a large care team, but a huge drawback can be the wait time between appointments with each doctor.

“When you have cancer, you want to be seen now and be treated now,” Dr. Miller said.

The speed of treatment time for patients is what inspired the creation of the Thoracic-Oncology NOW (New Oncology Workgroup) Clinic at Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center. The multidisciplinary clinic is staffed by specialized physicians in the treatment of thoracic malignancies. 

The clinic treats not just lung cancer, but also esophageal cancer, metastatic disease to the lungs and malignant pleural effusions.

“You’re cutting back on treatment time, waiting time, travel time and, more importantly, you have a group of doctors, rather than a doctor, who are talking about your care,” said Hematologist and Oncologist Dr. Girinda Raval.

The clinic operates on Wednesdays and acts as a one-stop shop for patients, saving their time and the time of their loved ones who join them for treatments. Patients also have access to Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center’s registered dietitians and social workers, along with a scheduler, financial personnel and medical assistants, creating one large care team ready to help them on their treatment journey.

“There is a degree of reassurance for the patient that there is a team who are all engrossed in caring for that patient,” Dr. Raval said.

To learn more about the Thoracic-Oncology NOW Clinic or make an appointment, call (706) 721-6744 for more information.