Patient Stories: Nick

Specialized Cancer Care, Here at Home

Dr. Nick Masi is a clinical psychologist. He’s the father of a cancer survivor. He’s a long-time employee of Memorial Healthcare System and the person responsible for introducing the whole system to the concept of patient- and family-centered care. And for five years, he’s been a cancer survivor, too.

When Dr. Atif Hussein — medical director of Memorial Cancer Institute and hematologist, oncologist and medical oncologist — told Nick he had rectal cancer, Nick’s personal research told him he’d die within 24 months.

“And Dr. Hussein said, ‘No, we are going to do better than that,’” Nick said. “And we have done better.”

Dr. Hussein prescribed six weeks of radiation therapy followed by surgery. Since the procedure was so radical, Nick felt he needed to get a second opinion, even though he trusted his friend, Dr. Hussein.

Three other doctors and three renowned hospitals later — including Sloan Kettering and MD Anderson — Nick had heard the same opinion four times.

“The minute I first met with Dr. Hussein, I just felt comfortable,” Nick said. “I felt like he cared, like he knew who I was and what I needed. …So after my second, third and fourth opinion, I was even more comfortable coming back to Memorial.”

Nick needed four months of chemo after his surgery, but now he’s a survivor. He’s lived three years longer than he ever expected.

“I acted as his advocate to make sure everything was done to give him the best chance, and he did everything he was supposed to do to live,” Dr. Hussein said. “Dr. Masi and his family have given a lot to this community, and this was our turn to give him nothing but the best. It was an honor to treat him.”

As a psychologist, Nick knows the importance of support from family and friends during cancer treatment. He was glad to be able to get the specialized care he needed here at home — with Memorial Cancer Institute on his side.

Please call Memorial Cancer Institute to schedule an appointment: 954-265-4325, or email us.

The appropriateness of a course of treatment for a patient may vary due to individual conditions and/or complications. Always ask your physician about all treatment options, as well as the risks and benefits.