Cancer Care Associates, Oklahoma City, OK

Debbie Correll has battled cancer five times and won.

"In 2001, I found a lump in my breast," Correll said. "I had a mammogram and pointed out to them the area."

After a visit to a surgeon near her home in Kansas, Correll was referred to Dr. Ali Moussa.

"At that time he was in Coffeyville (Kan.)," Correll said. "I would see him at twice a week, and he always put me at ease."

With that meeting, a cancer-fighting team was forged.

The pair faced the first fight – breast cancer.

"He talked to me and laid out my plan," she said. "I was at ease, but I also thought I would only have it one time."

After a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation, the cancer was beat.

A year later the cancer was back. This time in the lymph nodes near her trachea. She again worked with Dr. Moussa and went through more rounds of chemotherapy and radiation and was cancer-free again.

In summer 2004 and the following spring, cancer was found on her brain.

"The brain cancer was hard," she said. "My family jumped on planes and came out. I was so scared, but Dr. Moussa was so upbeat. He said, ‘We are going to get this.’ After all of that I just went with it."

More treatment and again, Correll was free of the disease.

However, in 2006 another recurrence close to her larynx was found. More chemo and radiation helped rid her body of cancer.

Correll has been cancer-free for more than two years now. She sees Dr. Moussa every four months and credits him with her amazing recoveries.

"I love him to death," she said. "He’s kind. He’s never lied to me, and he always tells me we’re going to get through this."

She was without Dr. Moussa briefly during one of the times she had brain cancer.

"That was the scariest time because I was without Dr. Moussa," Correll said.

Now she makes the 90-minute drive to Tulsa for checkups.

"I would go further if I had to," Correll said. "He’s from Lebanon. I would almost go there for my visits. He is a godsend."

Dr. Moussa said it’s not common for someone to have this many recurrences of cancer.

"She’s been fighting seven years plus," said Dr. Moussa, who practices at Cancer Care Associates. "I tried to give her hope. Never lose hope – that’s my message for cancer patients."

Correll’s strong will, supportive family and good attitude helped in her cancer fight, Dr. Moussa said.

"She’s alive and healthy," he said. "She survived to see her grandchildren."