Hollis ‘Hoss’ Howze Is A Fighter

By  //  October 25, 2012

cancer care & survivorship

BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – Hollis “Hoss” Howze is a fighter – a tall, dignified man who has had four different types of cancer, but the 72 year-old retired veteran and law enforcement officer, along with the help of the Space Coast Cancer Center and his wife Mary Ellen, is a true survivor.

Hollis “Hoss Howze is a gentleman and a true fighter. (SpaceCoastDaily.com image)

With his lovely wife and loyal companion Mary Ellen by his side, and the knowledge that Space Coast Cancer Center “has his 6,” Howze will not give up the fight against cancer.

Dr. Muwalla Is the Best

“I was told I had cancer in 2009 and my doctor told me that I needed to see the best and that was Dr. Muwalla at Space Coast Cancer Center,” said the Georgia Bulldog Howze.

“Dr. Muwalla and the team got me through Chemotherapy, radiation treatment and lung surgery. I was fine for a while but the cancer came back in 2011 in my throat and pancreas.”

The soft spoken Howze, with his never-say-die attitude, has a calm, inner strength that is equally matched by his wife of 14 years.

“When they told me I had it again, I told them that I did not want any more treatment, but the sweet and caring oncology nurse at Space Coast Cancer called Jayne asked me to do it (chemo) again for her…just one more time,” said Howze.

“I’m glad that I did because I’m still here a year later. I owe my life to them.”

Started Smoking In High School

Howze started smoking cigarettes in high school. “That’s what you did when you were a kid,” Hoss calmly reflects.

Firas R. Muwalla, MD

“Dr.Muwalla is right up there next to god,” said Mary Ellen. “He always has a plan and leaves no stone unturned.”

The Howze couple are very glad that they have Tri-Care For Life insurance through the military and medicare to pay for the medical expenses. They very smartly purchased Pan Treaty home health care insurance when Howze turned 55. That pays for the home care that Howze needs.

“Space Coast Cancer Center has been so good about finances,” said Howze. “They never let that (money) get in the way of care.”

Caring and Dedicated 

Hoss Hollis is a fighter and an inspiration.

“They go out of their way and are so personable and dedicated,” said Mary Ellen. “The ARNP Jackie is there for whatever we need and even helped me get a plane ticket refunded when I had to change my plans. Space Coast Cancer Center has saved me many times.

SPACE COAST CANCER CENTER’S newest location is at the Viera Medical Plaza at Viera Health Park.

“A year ago I had a PET SCAN at the Titusville office to see how I was doing. They detected a tear in my aorta in my heart, which would have gone undetected had it not been for their expertise with that PET SCAN. I’m going to hang in there and fight,” said Howze.

ABOUT SPACE COAST CANCER CENTER

Providing cancer care to Brevard County, Florida since 1983, Space Coast Cancer Center (SCCC) is one of the premier Hematology/Oncology practices in the area consisting of the Titusville Cancer Center, Merritt Island Cancer Center and Viera Cancer Center in Melbourne.  Their physicians see patients in each office location and also have privileges at Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, Wuesthoff Medical Center in Rockledge, Cape Canaveral Hospital in Cocoa Beach and Viera Hospital.

SCCC is Florida’s first practice and only in Brevard county to be recognized by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI), a certification program of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The QOPI Certification Program is an initiative to certify oncology practices that meet rigorous standards for high quality cancer care.

SCCC offers the most effective and safe treatment available through our state-of-the art radiation therapy utilizing the Varian Trilogy Linac and Varian TrueBeam Linac. The benefits include 3D conformal, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, image-guided radiation therapy, and stereotactic body radiosurgery. The TrueBeam and Trilogy also incorporate respiratory gating and the most recent RapidArc technology.

Space Coast Cancer Center can be reached at 1-855-894-HOPE (4673)

Merritt Island Offices of Space Coast Cancer Center:

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Titusville Offices of Space Coast Cancer Center:

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Viera Offices of Space Coast Cancer Center:

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