Stanley’s Story: Appreciating Life after Esophageal Cancer
BMC and BMC Brighton patient and esophageal cancer survivor Stanley Mattox
In April 2025, Stanley Mattox was at home eating takeout chicken wings. “I started eating and all of a sudden I felt like I had to bring it up,” he remembers. He thought maybe the chicken had gone bad, until the same thing happened a few days later. Stanley’s wife of 52 years, Yvonne, wanted answers. She made him an appointment at Boston Medical Center.
At the appointment with BMC gastroenterologist Madeleine Haff, MD, Stanley had an upper endoscopy, a procedure where the doctor inserts a tiny camera through a patient’s mouth to examine their esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Stanley and Yvonne returned a week later for a follow-up. “When the doctor came into the room, I knew something was wrong, because she didn’t look too happy,” remembers Stanley. “She told me there was a mass in my esophagus. After that point, everything started going pretty fast.”
A Swift Plan of Care Gives Stanley the Best Chance
Stanley had already beaten prostate cancer a decade earlier—undergoing robotic surgery at BMC—but getting diagnosed with esophageal cancer felt much scarier. “When I found out I had prostate cancer, I was prepared because my father and his brothers all had either prostate or colon cancer,” he says. “With this, I was totally shocked.”
Stanley and his wife of 52 years, Yvonne, in their younger days
But the team at BMC didn’t give Stanley time to worry. They quickly scheduled him to see BMC Chief of Thoracic Surgery Christopher Digesu, MD.
“Even though I was probably at my lowest point after finding out I had esophageal cancer, Dr. Digesu made me feel really relaxed,” he says. “I like to have as much information as possible and he explained everything. First, he wanted to shrink the mass with chemotherapy and then he would do a robotic surgery to remove my esophagus. He wanted to make sure he got all the cancer.”
Stanley had chemo at BMC Brighton for eight weeks through the summer. “The chemo infusions were tough,” says Stanley. “They were seven hours long, every other week, and then I was basically out of it for two or three days after. Yvonne was always there by my side. Having her with me made it a lot easier.”
On October 16, Stanley was ready for surgery. His complex robotic esophagectomy was done at BMC by a team of specialists led by Dr. Digesu and fellow thoracic surgeon Michael O’Connor, MD. They removed Stanley’s esophagus and reconstructed his digestive system using minimally invasive robotic surgery. This type of surgery uses smaller incisions, so patients have less pain, fewer respiratory problems, and a faster recovery than with open surgery.
Stanley is grateful for Yvonne’s unwavering support through multiple complex health situations
Stanley is grateful that Yvonne waited at the hospital during the entire 10-and-a-half-hour procedure. “She hasn’t been sick her entire life,” he says. “She went through prostate cancer with me and now this… I just hope I’m around if she ever gets sick, so I can be there for her. The important thing is that I’m here for Yvonne.”
After an eight-day hospital stay, Stanley hoped to be done with treatment, but he needed another eight weeks of chemo, to destroy any lingering cancer cells and lower his chance of a recurrence.
Stanley Is Focused on What Matters Most
Today, Stanley is happy to report that his recent CT scan showed no sign of cancer. He continues to follow up with Dr. Digesu and his oncologist, Olga Kozyreva, MD, to make sure he stays cancer-free. He is still working to regain the 50 pounds he lost after his diagnosis. Without an esophagus, he has to be careful not to rush meals, take big bites, or lie down after eating.
His advice to patients facing a diagnosis like esophageal cancer: “There’s always a little light at the end of the tunnel. Especially with surgery, you don’t know exactly how it’s going to turn out, so you just kind of have a positive attitude and keep praying. And if you’ve got a partner or someone to be with you, that helps a whole lot. I wouldn’t want to go through this alone.”
More than anything, Stanley is focused on spending time with Yvonne, their two sons, and four grandchildren. “I know I’ve been blessed, so I’m not negative about anything. I appreciate my life, and I’m glad to enjoy today.”
Minimally Invasive Solutions for Thoracic Disorders
The Department of Thoracic Surgery provides diagnosis and treatment for a range of cancers and other conditions affecting the lungs, esophagus, and chest. Our experienced surgeons use the latest surgical and minimally invasive techniques, offering advanced options that support faster healing and better outcomes.
Compassionate Cancer Care, Close to Home
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at BMC Brighton gives patients access to some of the area’s leading oncologists, hematologists, nurses, and professional support staff. From diagnosis to treatment and recovery, our team provides expert, compassionate care across all stages of cancer.