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Quick Facts:
Fort Smith
By Mercy's Mardi Taylor
Key points:
- 1. Larry Lessley's lung cancer was discovered unexpectedly during a CT scan for neck pain, before he experienced any symptoms. The early diagnosis gave him more treatment options and contributed to a successful outcome.
- 2. Lessley's primary care physician, pulmonologist, cardiology nurse practitioner and other specialists worked together to evaluate his health and determine the best treatment plan.
- 3. Lessley believes maintaining hope, avoiding fear and trusting his care team were critical parts of his recovery.
When Larry Lessley looks back on his lung cancer diagnosis, he doesn't see it as bad luck. Instead, he sees it as something much different.
"I believe it was divine intervention," Lessley said, recalling the words of his pulmonologist, Dr. Michael Winterton with Mercy Clinic Pulmonology – Fort Smith.
An Arkansas resident, Lessley wasn't experiencing shortness of breath, chest pain or any of the symptoms many people associate with lung cancer. In fact, his cancer was discovered by chance while doctors were investigating an entirely different problem.
"It was my neck that was bothering me," Lessley explained. "They were doing a CT scan of my spine, and that's when they saw a spot on my lung."
His primary care physician, Dr. Mirfat Bird with Mercy Clinic Family Medicine – Ozark, helped to coordinate the next steps. As a former smoker who had quit several years earlier, Lessley suspected what the spot could mean.
"I smoked for many years, so I pretty well knew what it was," he said.
Further testing confirmed the diagnosis, but because the cancer was caught early, Lessley had options. His Mercy care team carefully evaluated his overall health through pulmonary testing, cardiac evaluations, imaging studies and other screenings to determine the best treatment plan.
Lessley credits the coordinated approach among his caregivers, including Dr. Bird, Dr. Winterton and Shelly Johnson, a nurse practitioner at Mercy Clinic Cardiology in Fort Smith who helped manage his heart health throughout the process.
"They set up a team," Lessley said. "They're there to answer questions and help you every step of the way."
Because of his personal circumstances and health history, including a double bypass in 2020, Lessley and his physicians ultimately decided radiation therapy was the best course of treatment. He received care at Mercy, where he was impressed not only by the advanced technology but also by the compassion shown by every member of the staff.
"You're dealing with people who are just a pleasure to work with," he said. "They care about you, and that's really important."
Aside from fatigue, Lessley tolerated treatment well. After completing five courses of radiation, follow-up scans delivered the news he had been hoping to hear.
"Everything was clear," Lessley said.
Through it all, he always had faith in his care team or in himself. He spoke with confidence about his care team and the treatment plan, believing that both were giving him the best chance to keep moving forward.
More than anything, he credits his positive outlook as a key part of his journey. Instead of dwelling on fear or the unknown, he made a conscious choice to stay hopeful and focused on each day ahead.
“Don't start worrying, and don't get depressed,” he said. For him, maintaining a good attitude wasn't just about staying optimistic. It was about supporting his own wellness and giving him every opportunity to keep fighting.
Today, Lessley continues regular follow-up appointments and remains grateful for the care he received. He stays active, works on hydraulic repairs, enjoys fishing with family and spends time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Most importantly, he shares his story to encourage others not to put off medical care.
"If something doesn't seem right, go get it checked," Lessley said. "Don't be afraid of the scan. Don't be afraid to know. Early detection can make all the difference."
“It's been a ride; there's no getting around it,” he added. “And I'm much better for it. But, like I said, don't lose the faith. Don't ever lose that. That, to me, was the main thing.”
For Lessley, a routine scan due to neck pain became a lifesaving moment. Thanks to early intervention, expert care and a positive outlook, he's back to doing the things he loves and encouraging others to take charge of their health before it's too late.
"I've told them many times, ‘You're not going to go any place, any hospital, and be treated any better than you are at Mercy,’” he said.
