Ralph Maser

At 65, Marines Corps veteran and father of two Ralph Maser was living an active, healthy life in Stilwell, Kansas. Ralph and his wife, Carol, own and operate Maser Industries, a contract manufacturing business that specializes in manufacturing products that support a healthy lifestyle.

His life suddenly changed when, on a normal day in October 2021, Ralph’s son noticed something abnormal happening with his father at work.

“Our son, Mac, noticed I was not walking straight. Being a lifeguard trainer and CPR Instructor, he took me into the office and started performing a stroke test on me. While he was asking questions, I noticed the light coming in through our front glass door was blinking. I asked Mac if he saw the same thing and he said no.”

Ralph was immediately taken to Overland Park Regional Medical Center (OPRMC) for a CT scan. The scan showed a mass in his brain and an MRI showed two tumors; one operable and one not. A craniotomy was performed the following day at OPRMC.

In November, Ralph went to Research Medical Center (RMC) to meet with Dr. Amandeep Kalra, neuro-oncologist, and Dr. David Binder, radiation oncologist, concerning the results of the pathology report and post-craniotomy MRI results. It was during this meeting that Ralph was informed he had an aggressive grade four glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumor.

“My thought from the day I entered the hospital even up until now is ‘what is happening is just what is so, getting upset or worrying will make no difference’” Ralph said. “My wife and I have taken good care of ourselves and strive to maintain a low-stress healthy attitude.”

Ralph trusted in his care team to let him know what his best course of treatment would be. This led him to the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center at RMC where he received a best-in-class treatment plan of six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy followed by a six-month maintenance plan.

“We knew nothing about Research Medical Center, but are now overwhelmingly pleased. We appreciate the world-class doctors, nurses, technicians, and staff. The medical equipment is the most current technology and personalized treatments are the most up-to-date treatment procedures available. Why go anywhere else?”

From advice given by Dr. Kalra, at the start of his maintenance plan Ralph was fitted for a device from Novocure called Optune, a wearable, portable device that creates tumor treating fields.

“We call it Opie. Opie and I are learning how to settle in together so it can be part of my daily routine. So far, everything is working perfectly fine.”

If Ralph had to describe his care team with one word, it would be loving.

“The different teams — surgery, radiology, neuro-oncology, nursing, labs, admitting staff, maintenance, sanitation, and anyone else within HCA Midwest Health — are all part of the best treatment center on the planet.”

“I would like to express our deepest gratitude to our care team. I believe it takes a hardworking and dedicated village to operate what to one patient seems like a well-oiled machine.”

Nowadays, Ralph pays more attention to being present where meditation, prayer, Bible time, and some journaling are a priority. And while his GBM diagnosis was unexpected, he knew his phenomenal family and some really amazing friends would rally along-side him.

“It most certainly helps to have a loving partner like Carol who is beyond more than I could ever ask for or want. She has walked in lockstep with me through this complete process and it is her constant loving support and positive attitude, as well as support and prayers from Shannon and Mac, plus our extended family and many friends that have kept me focused on paying attention to what my body is telling me it needs.”

Ralph has also rallied within himself: “Just as I have no worry or concern about my health, never have I wanted sympathy, worry, or doubt from anyone else. I want to be an example of what it looks like to live your best life now, independent of one’s circumstances. I trust this life event is only meant to help my faith grow/mature and with that deepened faith, allow me to serve others in a way beyond what I could have ever imagined.”