Gary Pichon of Marble Hill, Georgia, has lived a life full of adventure and new opportunities. After graduating from Vanderbilt University with an Army ROTC commission, he served for four years in Germany. Upon his return home, he took to the corporate world, rising to the executive suites in international paper and packaging.
He didn’t slow down when he took early retirement at 48. His passions included cabinet- and furniture-making; traveling across the U.S. in an RV with his wife, Catherine; serving as a Dawson County commissioner for eight years; and cycling century races.
But amid the exciting experiences, Gary found life has a way of throwing curveballs.
"I have always felt responsible for my health,” Gary recalls, “so shortly after moving to Dawsonville, Catherine and I sought a new primary care physician because a previous doctor had dangerously misdiagnosed her colon cancer, a mistake that almost claimed her life."
Luckily, Gary and Catherine met Northside Primary Care Foothills’ Dr. Larry Anderson at their local church. From this meeting, a decades-long friendship began — one that would save both Catherine and Gary's lives.
Five years after their meeting and during his annual physical, Dr. Anderson performed a digital rectal exam (DRE) to check Gary’s prostate and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, a screening tool for prostate cancer. Dr. Anderson admitted that even though the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force no longer requires this screening tool, and it’s not recommended for patients under 55 years old, it’s still significant as it catches early signs of prostate cancer, which happened to be the case for Gary.
“I remember Dr. Anderson ran the DRE test and found something abnormal — a nodule on my prostate,” Gary said. “He also noticed my PSA levels rising and encouraged me to see a urologist. Though nothing was found, we moved forward with a biopsy just to be safe, and it came back positive.”
Shortly after his cancer diagnosis, Gary elected for prostate surgery and had his prostate removed.
In the years that followed, Gary and Dr. Anderson stayed close, as both patient and doctor and friends outside the practice. But Gary’s health battles weren’t over.
In 2013, four years after his prostate cancer diagnosis, he received another diagnosis: colon cancer. Although Dr. Anderson did not diagnose this, he played a vital role in promoting preventive health screenings, reminding Gary to get his annual colonoscopy.
“It’s not just about diagnosing conditions,” Gary mentioned. “The doctor/patient relationship is about the trust and advocacy your doctor provides. I believe Dr. Anderson’s reminder to get that colonoscopy ultimately saved my life, as the cancer was caught very early.
"Though they had to remove some of my colon, I’m grateful to have Dr. Anderson in my corner. He doesn’t just see me as a list of symptoms but takes the time to understand the intricacies of my story and health journey — which is what a PCP should do.”
As if two cancer diagnoses weren’t enough, in 2018, Dr. Anderson found Gary’s PSA levels creeping up again, which required 40 days of radiation — a daunting reminder that the fight was ongoing. And not long after, he grappled with a lower abdominal hernia, kidney stones, and a golf ball-sized infection in his abdomen.
“After a harrowing night spent in the hospital, shaking from a fever due to the infection, Dr. Anderson worked alongside the surgical team at Northside Hospital Forsyth to unravel the mystery,” Gary said. “Though we never pinpointed the exact cause of the infection, Dr. Anderson’s determination to see me through the ordeal was unwavering. It’s this kind of care that sets exceptional doctors apart — they don’t just treat; they advocate, they collaborate, and they care deeply about their patients.”
Despite his medical hurdles, Gary is a man who defies limits. At 77, he’s completed more than 50 century (100-mile) bike races and has ridden from Maine to Georgia from north to south on the Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail. He cycled the United States from west to east in 52 days.
“My journey hasn’t been ordinary,” Gary recalls. “When I reflect on the years of challenges and triumphs, I’ve realized that one of the most vital relationships in my life is with Dr. Anderson. I wouldn’t be here without him and his invaluable expertise.”
After almost 20 years of seeing Dr. Anderson, Gary strongly believes everyone needs a PCP who understands their history and provides the care that’s needed and deserved.
“As someone who’s had their fair share of battles, I’ve learned that a good doctor isn’t just someone who treats you when you’re sick; they’re someone who genuinely invests in understanding your history, your needs, and your story,” Gary said. “You want someone who is curious yet careful, asks good questions, and gets to the heart of your diagnosis, which can lead to faster care.
“Ultimately, you want someone who will partner with you and be an advocate for you and your health, and I’m thankful Dr. Anderson is that person for me.”
Learn more about primary care services from Northside.
