This is good news for Oahu cancer patients, as a doctor's choice to wait for more test results before rushing into surgery ended up saving a patient's stomach and improving her odds.

• Caroline Huff was rushed to the emergency room in severe pain after her tumor grew and started bleeding.
• Her oncologist, Dr. Shane Morita, chose to hold off on surgery until a scan gave a clearer picture of the cancer, rather than operating right away.
• That scan led to a drug treatment that shrank the tumor, which meant doctors did not have to remove her entire stomach.
• Huff nominated Morita for a healthcare recognition, saying she valued being treated as a person rather than just another patient.
• Morita, who grew up on Hawaii Island and lost both parents to illness treated at the same hospital, said he's grateful to serve the local community.

Outlook: Huff's cancer is responding to treatment, and her case is being highlighted as an example of the kind of care available locally in Hawaii.