St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Overcomes Rare Tumor

Allen Williams's life was smoothly progressing. As a lieutenant with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, he prepared for a well-deserved retirement in his 31st year of service. Married for 30 years, with two children and five grandchildren, Allen's life was rich and fulfilling.

In April 2023, Allen came home from work with severe pain in his lower back that spread down his legs. He also couldn't urinate or have a bowel movement, which worried him. He saw his primary care doctor, who quickly sent him to the emergency room at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington.

The results of the tests showed a mass on Allen’s sacrum, an important part of your skeleton that helps you move and stay balanced. Allen said. "The doctor in the emergency room was very straightforward and honest about the complex nature and location of the mass. They arranged for a transfer to Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans for further testing and treatment."

Upon arrival at Ochsner, a dedicated medical team began working on Allen's case. A biopsy revealed that the mass was a sacral chordoma, a type of tumor that forms in the sacrum, the bone at the base of the spine. These tumors are rare and can grow slowly, causing pain or discomfort. After a few days, Allen went home while the medical team studied his case and planned surgery for June.

"There were many tests, scans and doctor visits before the surgery date with multiple members of the surgical team. Everyone involved was very thorough and compassionate, building a strong bond of trust with me and my wife through the entire process," Allen said. "They explained in great detail the location of the mass, the risks of the surgery and the prognosis if the surgery were postponed."

The mass was on Allen's tailbone, causing all his symptoms. The surgery, which took over seven hours, successfully removed the mass.

"It was amazing to know that so many medical professionals worked together for months to develop a careful plan of action to ensure the most successful outcome for me," Allen said. "There was a chance that I would not have any bodily functions below the waist depending on how involved the mass was with the nerve bundles, but that remained to be seen."

Allen received care from a dedicated team of specialists: a neurosurgeon, a surgical oncologist, a plastic surgeon, an orthopedic surgeon, a colorectal surgeon and a urologist. Each of these professionals invested time in his case — before, during, and after the surgery — and continued monitoring his recovery even a year later.

James T. Kalyvas, MD, a neurosurgeon and a key member of Allen's medical team, said, "He had a rare spinal tumor that is a very high risk to remove, and because of that, there are currently only a couple of places in the country that do these surgeries and get these referrals. Home run case and home run guy!"

The first six months following the surgery were very difficult for Allen. "The first few months, I could hardly do anything without assistance. I had drain tubes still attached to me, along with a catheter. Progress seemed slow and uncertain," he said.

Now, a year after the surgery, Allen experiences no pain, and everything seems to be functioning as it should. "I am just an average guy, and I am so thankful for the entire staff and how they have treated me throughout the process. My family and I were caught so off-guard by this whole thing, and the tremendous effort and continued support of the entire Ochsner staff have helped us get through the most difficult thing we have ever faced."

Allen Williams' journey shows resilience, skilled medical care and strong support from his healthcare team. His story offers hope and highlights the importance of compassionate care in facing life's toughest challenges.

Despite the initial shock of his diagnosis, the expert care provided by James Kalyvas, MD; Christopher Babycos, MD; Andrew Newton, MD; and Joanna Togami, MD, reassured Allen and his family that they were in the best possible hands. Their compassion and dedication to treating the whole person, not just the condition, provided comfort. Allen wholeheartedly recommends these doctors to anyone facing serious health challenges, confident in their ability for positive results.

"Facing serious health challenges can be tough, but I wholeheartedly recommend these doctors to anyone in need. They always believe in the possibility of a positive outcome. I am deeply thankful for the excellent medical team that God provided for my care. Their guidance and honesty about what to expect helped me keep faith and stay positive, resulting in an outcome that I can only describe as miraculous," Allen said.