4 Memorial Medical Milestones • Winter 2023 Russ Conrad, a local radio DJ also known as “Your Buddy Russ” to southwest Louisiana residents, was diagnosed with cancer in December 2021. As with most patients, it was the last thing he ever expected to deal with. Russ’ love for Lake Charles is strong and runs deep into the community. When he’s not at the radio station, you can find him participating in community and charity events and various activities across SWLA. Whether you are attending a dinner, wedding, benefit, bingo game or even a Mardi Gras parade, you can always recognize the voice of Your Buddy Russ. In late 2021, Russ began experiencing difficulty breathing on one side of his nose. When the issues didn’t subside after trips to his doctor, an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist was able to identify an abnormal growth inside his left sinus cavity. The growth was surgically removed, and Russ expected that he would just continue on his way. But at the post-op appointment, the doctor relayed discomforting news: Russ had olfactory neuroblastoma. Russ assumed it wasn’t great news, but he wasn’t sure what it all meant. The doctor explained that the cancer had spread to both sinus cavities and was in close proximity to the brain. Russ would need a second surgery to remove the cancer. “Everyone says ‘you have cancer’ are three words you don’t ever want to hear. And I can tell you, you don’t!” Russ recalls. “It still didn’t set in until I went home and showed the results to my mom, a 30-year nurse. She looked at me and said, ‘Russ, you have cancer.’” ‘Russ, you have cancer’ Your Buddy Russ, local radio personality, talks diagnosis, treatment and why you can count on Memorial’s Cancer Center team
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