Beating the odds: Shintte’s fight against lung and stomach cancer at University Medical Center

Every cancer diagnosis is complex. But for 63-year-old Shintte Boykins, it wasn’t just one. It was two, both within a single year.

In late 2022, the New Orleans native was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. By the fall of 2023, doctors discovered a second, rare form of stomach cancer. Either diagnosis alone would have required highly specialized care. Together, they demanded a deeply coordinated treatment plan involving specialists in oncology, surgery, and internal medicine—a level of care Shintte found at University Medical Center New Orleans, part of LCMC Health.

Today, Shintte’s strength, humor, and warmth have returned, all a testament to both his resilience and the multidisciplinary team that helped him through the most challenging chapter of his life.

“One thing that amazed me right from the start was they had a doctor for every part of my body,” Shintte said. “That’s when I knew I was in the right place. I felt safe and ready to tackle whatever came next.”

From an ER visit to a stage IV cancer diagnosis

Before his first cancer diagnosis, Shintte knew something was wrong. He was coughing up blood, losing weight rapidly, and experiencing swelling in his feet and legs so severe he couldn’t wear his shoes. One day, he trusted his instincts and went to the Emergency Department at University Medical Center.

It was a decision that likely saved his life.

University Medical Center is home to the Norman E. McSwain, Jr., MD, Spirit of Charity Trauma Center, the only Level 1 Trauma Center in the New Orleans region. Designed to respond to the most urgent and complex cases, the center offers round-the-clock access to trauma-trained physicians, nurses, imaging, and critical care teams. When Shintte arrived, the team immediately began a series of diagnostic scans and lab tests to determine what was happening.

“They were moving fast, but they also made me feel calm,” he said. “They ran tests, took X-rays, and then three doctors came in and told me I had Stage IV lung cancer. I had a mass the size of a fist right next to my heart.”

The diagnosis was serious: Stage IV lung adenocarcinoma, an aggressive form of lung cancer that begins in the lining of the lungs and often spreads before it’s detected. One of his primary oncologists, who is no longer with the hospital, supported him closely during this time and helped guide the first steps of his treatment. Doctors gave him a 25 to 30% chance of surviving one year.

Supported by his wife Sylvia, daughters Shannon and Shreatha, and his son Ahmad, a pharmacist who helped translate medical details and talk through treatment options, Shintte began preparing for chemotherapy. In March 2023, doctors inserted a small device called a port under the skin near his chest that allows easy, repeated access to veins for medication and lab work. By April, he received infusions every three weeks.

The treatment plan was intensive, with each session lasting six to eight hours. His chemotherapy regimen included a combination of drugs designed to kill cancer cells, stop them from spreading, and shrink the tumor. Over time, it began to work. His cough improved. The swelling went down. The mass in his lung shrank from the size of a fist to the size of a dime.

Progress didn’t happen overnight. Gaining back his weight and strength took months. At his lowest, Shintte weighed just under 100 pounds. Through close monitoring, nutrition support, and the encouragement of those around him, he slowly began to rebuild.

When treating advanced-stage lung cancer, timing and coordination were critical. In Shintte’s case, the tumor was aggressive and had already begun to significantly affect his overall health. The care team focused not only on attacking the cancer with the most effective therapies available but also on supporting his strength and recovery through a highly individualized care plan.

His care team included oncologists, nurses, imaging specialists, dietitians, and internal medicine physicians, among others. Everyone worked in sync to manage his symptoms and support his recovery, both physically and emotionally.

Stomach cancer diagnosis and what happened next

Just as Shintte was beginning to recover from months of intensive lung cancer treatment, a routine scan brought unexpected and concerning news: he had developed a second cancer. This time, it was a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), a rare form of gastrointestinal cancer that begins in the connective tissue lining the stomach and digestive tract.

GIST tumors often grow slowly and can be difficult to detect in their early stages. In Shintte’s case, it was caught during a follow-up CT scan that required contrast dye for clearer imaging. Although he wasn’t experiencing major stomach symptoms, his care team noticed subtle abnormalities in the scan and quickly ordered additional tests.

A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. Given Shintte’s history of advanced-stage lung cancer and ongoing recovery, the idea of another surgery raised understandable concern. His condition was still delicate, and any surgical intervention carried additional risks.

But Shintte had made meaningful progress. His strength was returning, his weight was up, and he felt ready to move forward. After a thoughtful review of his case, the team determined that surgery could be safely pursued.

Omeed Moaven, MD, his surgical oncologist, sat down with him and his family to discuss his options. They decided together to move forward with a partial gastrectomy, a procedure that removes the affected portion of the stomach while preserving healthy tissue.

Shintte wanted to feel like himself again by the holidays, and he had his heart set on being healthy in time to celebrate his birthday on October 30.

With all these factors in mind, Dr. Moaven performed the surgery on October 17, 2023, using a minimally invasive approach. Instead of a large incision, four small incisions were made to access the tumor, reducing trauma to surrounding tissue and allowing for faster recovery. The cancerous tissue was removed cleanly and confirmed to be contained in one area.

“Treating a patient with two different cancers requires meticulous planning and coordination,” said Dr. Moaven. “We had to consider the impact of his recent lung cancer treatment while also addressing the urgency of removing the stomach tumor. Because he had regained strength, we were able to move forward in a manner that preserved his healthy tissue and supported a faster recovery.”

Shintte woke up after surgery with minimal pain and a renewed sense of purpose. He began walking the halls within a few days and followed a short-term liquid diet to support healing. By the time his birthday arrived, he was home, moving comfortably, and with his family again—exactly where he wanted to be.

Looking forward in good health

Today, Shintte is healthy and no longer in treatment. The moments that once showed how sick he was, like coughing, swelling, and drastic weight loss, have been replaced by happier milestones: sharing meals, walking with ease, and waking up feeling more like himself.

He credits his recovery to faith, family, and the care he received at University Medical Center. From diagnosis through surgery and follow-up, Shintte found a team that explained each step, earned his trust, and helped him stay focused on the future.

“A cancer diagnosis is a heavy thing to carry. But you don’t have to carry it alone,” Shintte reflected. “Lean on your people. Ask questions. Find a care team you trust. And no matter what, don’t give up.”

To learn more about oncology care at University Medical Center, visit the Cancer Center website.