Patient Voices: Erik Pearson

Overview

2019 was an emotionally turbulent year for Erik Pearson. He was laid off from his healthcare marketing job, went through a divorce, and navigated the loss of his father. But none of it prepared him for what came next.

One day after swimming laps, Erik headed to the locker room to change and noticed blood on the floor. Concerned, he called an on-call nurse, who advised him to seek emergency care. “I went to the emergency room, and they said we need to do a CT scan right away,” Erik recalled.

Soon after his CT scan, Erik’s surgeon performed a biopsy, a medical procedure that removes a small sample of tissue to be examined under a microscope for cancerous cells.

Cancer wasn’t something Erik considered until he received a phone call from the office of Punit Chadha, M.D., an oncologist board-certified in hematology, internal medicine, and medical oncology.

Erik was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer, which had metastasized to nearby lymph nodes. At this stage, cancer has spread through the colon or rectum wall but not yet to distant organs.

For some patients like Erik, experiencing cancer for the first time and undergoing treatment can be as much a mental challenge as a physical one. Whether recovering from surgery, sitting through chemotherapy, or lying still during radiation, there are moments that call for trust rather than control. “It was hard to just lay there and be helpless. I’ve been working on the idea of surrendering to the process, like I’m not going to worry and let the care team do their thing,” Erik said.

Care Experience at Texas Oncology

Colon and rectal surgery specialist David Fleeger, M.D. performed an ileostomy — a surgical procedure that brings the end of the small intestine (ileum) outside the abdominal wall, creating a stoma to allow waste to pass — at Texas Colon & Rectal Specialists-Austin South. The remainder of Erik’s treatments were handled by Dr. Chadha at Texas Oncology-South Austin.

One of the benefits of receiving care at Texas Oncology was its proximity to Erik’s home. Being close to home allowed him to stay involved in his kids’ lives and remain active in their school community. “I got to pick up my kids from their first dance and be there for moments that are just hilarious and fun.”

Erik recalls Dr. Chadha being a very encouraging and confident physician. It made Erik feel at ease that Dr. Chadha had a plan and confidence in the plan that he was proposing.

“At Texas Oncology, the care is wonderful. Even the nurse practitioners were great,” Erik shared. “In the infusion room, I would cry, and they would comfort me. One day at a time, it really felt like a warm community.”

Caring for the Mind During Cancer Care at Texas Oncology

After surgery, Erik was scheduled for several rounds of chemotherapy. “I got a glimpse inside of the infusion room. I had to psych myself up for a little bit to go in there for the first time,” Erik said.

Despite all the hurdles Erik faced, he remained strong for his children. “I’m living for my kids. I want to see them finish college, visit them, and share stuff with them as much as I can,” Erik shared.

Colorectal Cancer Recurrence

After being cleared by Dr. Chadha in 2021, Erik was scheduled for CT scans every six months. After his scan in January 2023, Erik receives a phone call no patient ever wants to receive. His cancer had returned. “I was pretty devastated,” said Erik.

“It was a tough year of operations. I had two liver surgeries,” added Erik. He also had his gallbladder, some lymph nodes, and a small lobe of his liver removed. Erik was advised to start chemotherapy again and clinical trials, if needed.

Treatment and Clinical Trials at Texas Oncology

From February 2023 to 2025, Erik went through chemotherapy sessions. When his cancer stopped responding to chemotherapy, Erik began to investigate clinical trials and found one geared toward phase two cancer patients. “I didn’t even know Texas Oncology had a research team until I brought that up with my nurse practitioner,” he said. “I said, ‘hey, I know this is a phase two clinical trial, but I sure would like to get this, if it’s possible?’” Erik’s nurse wrapped up his exam and ran down the hall to the research team to advocate for his application.

Shortly after, Erik was approved for the immunotherapy clinical trial. Though immunotherapy is not typically a first-line treatment option for colorectal cancers, the trial showed promising results.

A higher-than-average percentage of participants were responding well to treatment. “And I happen to be in the category of people that’s responding to it, so that’s wonderful,” shared Erik. “I’m able to live more normally.”

Erik’s clinical trial regimen involves taking a morning and evening pill and receiving bi-monthly infusions. “There are no big side effects. I have to focus a lot on my digestion and take fiber pills, but aside from that, I don’t feel sick from it,” said Erik.

“This experience is really hard, and it’s a roller coaster ride. There are days where it’s miserable and then there are days that are just totally fine,” said Erik. “If you know someone who is sick, just be a good listener. Don’t offer advice or make assumptions. That’s what we need.”

If Erik’s numbers continue to look promising, he may continue the immunotherapy clinical trial. “It’s helping me through some difficult times and lightens my load quite a bit,” he shared. “Frees me up to living a regular life.”

The information included in this testimonial is based on one patient’s unique experience and is not intended to represent all patient outcomes or expectations.