Charlie Berke, 70, of Roswell, Georgia, is no stranger to cancer. He has heard the life-changing words “It’s cancer” at least five times in the past nine years.
Charlie’s first cancer diagnosis came in June 2016, but his story starts much earlier. As a boy growing up in Atlanta, his mother warned him about “the cancer,” blaming it on harmless things like wearing underwear under pajamas. So when he learned he had cancer at age 62, he wasn’t shocked.
He almost felt it was inevitable.
His first cancer was found by chance. After experiencing a dizzy spell, he visited his primary care doctor, Dr. Adam Leaderman, of Laureate Medical Group, a Northside network provider. A chest CT revealed a small nodule in his right lung.
He was referred to Northside Thoracic Surgery’s Dr. John W. Gouldman, who performed a needle biopsy and diagnosed him with lung cancer.
“The dizzy spell was nothing; it was merely the catalyst that sent me to my doctor,” Charlie said.
As a result, the cancer was caught early. Dr. Gouldman performed surgery to remove the lower lobe of Charlie’s right lung. Recovery was painful and challenging.
“I am an avid runner and it took me 12 months to fully recover physically. But I did it and I got back to a seven-minute mile,” Charlie said.
Just two years later, during a follow-up scan in 2018, Dr. Gouldman found a second nodule — this time in Charlie’s left lung. It wasn’t a metastasis but a new cancer. Another portion of lung was removed.
“I had just regained my running form when I was faced with another lung surgery,” he said. “This recovery was easier, but my reduced lung capacity now impaired my ability to do what I most love — running. I was depressed by this loss.”
Charlie admits he’s a colorful character who uses humor to cope with difficult circumstances and connect with others.
“I refused to be just another patient,” he said. “I wanted my doctors to truly know me. A handshake wasn’t enough for me — I hugged my doctors.”
Before each surgery, Charlie left a sticky note on his gown: “I’ll get even with you when I wake up” or “Make sure you get the correct lung this time.”
Cancer No. 3 came the next year. Charlie noticed a blood-tinged particle in his urine.
“It looked like a cran-raisin and I knew that was NOT normal,” he said.
Dr. Leaderman sent Charlie to a urologist who immediately performed a cystoscopy. The test showed bladder cancer. The red particle was a small scab from a lesion in his bladder. Once again, the quick actions of Charlie and his doctors led to an early diagnosis.
“What does one do after being diagnosed with cancer for the third time? Well, I took my wife Sheri to Costco … after all, we were in the area,” Charlie joked.
Charlie was treated with surgery to scrape away the cancerous tissue, followed by four weeks of immunotherapy. He was soon declared cancer-free … again.
Eighteen months later, Charlie was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Though his prostate had been enlarged for years, it had never been cancerous. He underwent daily radiation therapy sessions for several weeks.
Another cancer diagnosis, another successful treatment, another cancer-free declaration — and more emotional weight to carry.
The fifth cancer diagnosis came in 2021. Charlie experienced dizziness with a headache, which he assumed was a migraine. That evening, his wife and friends noticed with concern that Charlie wasn’t himself.
“I left a $50 tip for a $20 meal,” he said. “I wasn’t thinking straight and this showed it.”
Dr. Leaderman ordered a brain CT, which revealed a likely cancerous brain tumor.
Things moved quickly with a referral to Dr. Jim Robinson, a renowned neurosurgeon with Southeastern Neurosurgical Specialists.
“Dr. Robinson possessed an air of confidence and he was in complete control of the situation,” Charlie said. “He gave me a sense of security and hope.”
After a functional MRI to map critical brain functions, Charlie underwent Gamma Knife radiation at Northside Forsyth, followed by surgery with Dr. Robinson back at Northside Atlanta.
“Dr. Robinson postponed a fly-fishing trip to do my surgery,” Charlie said. “His commitment to me was impressive.”
Charlie recovered at home for four weeks before returning to work. Asked about any deficits from the surgery, Charlie said, “I don’t really know what I lost, but I can blame that brain tumor for everything weird that I do.”
Charlie was then referred to Dr. Pradeep Jolly, an oncologist at Northside Hospital Cancer Institute Georgia Cancer Specialists. Dr. Jolly discovered Charlie had developed a new inoperable lung cancer that had spread to Charlie’s brain. He prescribed a targeted oral medication Charlie continues to take daily to control his lung cancer.
“Something is getting scanned or tested every few months,” Charlie said.
His follow-up care includes regular lung scans, brain scans, bladder exams and prostate monitoring.
Charlie is open about the emotional toll cancer has taken.
“Doctors have done an amazing job eradicating cancer from my body,” he said. “But eradicating cancer from my soul? That is an ongoing struggle and one that is simply not talked about enough in the medical setting or in society.”
He speaks candidly about sadness, fear and isolation.
“I live with underlying sadness, fear and loneliness that most simply cannot relate to.”
Charlie continues to stay active and prioritize his health.
“Sheri and I are fully aware of what the future might hold for us,” he said. “I still exercise and work out every day but I do so with a different purpose now — to try not to die.”
He credits his survival to early detection, quality care and the support of his family.
“I’ve always been an athlete so I’m especially in-tune with my body,” he said. “Seeing my primary doctor each time I sensed something was off and being diligent with my follow-ups have been key to finding these cancers very early.”
Charlie also describes his amazing medical team at Northside with immense gratitude.
“Dr. Leaderman is the head coach of my team and all my specialists communicate seamlessly,” he said. “Whenever I see a doctor, they are already up to date on what I’ve had done recently.”
“My doctors have given me lifesaving care but I’m deeply aware that luck plays a huge part too,” he added. “Not everyone is as lucky as I’ve been.”
Above all, he credits his wife.
“If not for my wife’s motivation and care, I wouldn’t be here.”
Despite everything, Charlie says cancer has not dramatically changed his life.
“Sure, I’m fatigued. But I’m 70 years old now — I’m supposed to be, right?” he said with a laugh. “Each day that I can move my body and enjoy my wife, two grown children and two grandkids is a good day.”
