‘I Want to Enjoy Every Minute That is Given to Me’

For Lynn Wassmann, the greatest gift is time. ThedaCare’s new, minimally invasive procedure to treat lung cancer is helping her spend less of it recovering and more time living and enjoying life.

Over the past four decades, Wassmann experienced cancer-related health issues ranging from breast cancer and melanoma, to leukemia and lung cancer. Her first diagnosis came in her 20s. Her most recent diagnosis, lung cancer, was in her 60s.

In April 2025, ThedaCare became the first healthcare system in Wisconsin to use the Aliya Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) with the INUMI Flex Needle to help treat certain patients with advanced soft-tissue cancers such as lung, prostate and urinary cancer.

Wassmann’s lung cancer treatment included use of the Aliya system.

The results have been remarkable, she said. The proof was in the first imaging scan she received following the procedure. “When we saw the pictures of the results … our jaws hit the ground. It was amazing.”

Wassmann, 68, of Menasha, is  grateful to have more time.

“I want to enjoy every minute that is given to me,” she said. “There’s just so much beauty out there.”

One After Another

At just 27 years old, Wassmann and husband, Tony, were trying to have their first child. During that time, she learned she had cervical and uterine cancer. She would need to have a hysterectomy and wouldn’t be able to have children.

“I just kind of sat there stunned, went outside, cried for 10 minutes in my car, took a deep breath and said, ‘OK, let’s move on. Let’s deal with it,’” she recalled.

It’s an attitude that would carry her through many more diagnoses including breast cancer, melanoma, two bouts of leukemia and three instances of lung cancer.

Though Wassmann has a history of cancer in her family, she attributes a lot of her susceptibility to the years she spent working in the landscaping industry and as a heavy smoker. She said she loved her career but it exposed her to some risks.

“When I started in the landscaping industry, there really wasn’t much personal protective equipment. You’re out there spraying some of the nastiest chemicals without any proper PPE,” she said. “One day I came home from work and I started coughing into a rag. I realized that the rag smelled like the chemicals I was spraying that day.”

Wassmann quit smoking and became more aware of the risks of the chemicals she’d encountered through her work. By then, she said she realized the damage was already done.

“I’ve known for a long time that I was going to have issues with cancer,” she said. “I’ve prepared myself for these challenges.”

Positivity and Perseverance

Wassmann has leaned on the support of her family and friends through her brushes with cancer. “They can’t fight it for you but it’s just nice knowing they care.”

That support also includes Wassmann’s pulmonologist, Scott Parrish, MD, and her entire team at ThedaCare Cancer Care, which includes oncologist Joyce Philip, MD, and radiation oncologist Joseph Bovi, MD.

“They do so much for us. The valet, the receptionist, the volunteers, the nurses, the doctors,” Wassmann said. “I’m so grateful for all the support.”

As for her positive attitude, she credits her parents. “I remember Mom and Dad both telling me just enjoy life. Don’t worry about the little stuff. That’ll take care of itself.”

That mindset is meaningful, Dr. Philip said. “When we sit across patients who have such a zest for life, it motivates us. How can we get her to get back to that place where she can be as active as she wants to be and live her unique, best life?”

And that’s just what the team hoped to help Wassmann realize with the Aliya PEF procedure.

“It’s unique from the perspective that it’s a non-thermal based ablation technique,” Dr. Philip said, describing the procedure. “It’s not using any extreme temperatures like heat or cold or radiation technology. This is using a high-voltage, electric-current-type therapy and going straight to the tumor. And that electric current then leads to cell death.”

Wassmann said she was pleasantly surprised with how easy the procedure was.

“I was scared going in. I didn’t know what to expect. It was a cakewalk,” she said. “I was sitting at home thinking, ‘Good Lord. I could go for a 5-mile walk right now.’”

More Life to Live

Today, Wassmann tries not to dwell on what might come next for her health. Instead, she’s focused on living her unique, best life. That includes building back up to long walks, exploring her local nature conservancy, nurturing her beloved garden and connecting with a group of aurora borealis hunters. 

“I want to see the northern lights. I want to go to Jazz Fest and Mackinac Island,” she said of her wishes for the near future.

She also seeks to spread joy. That includes hiding tiny glass figurines within ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center when she visits for treatments. Finding them has become a game for team members, who seek, trade and swap the figures.

Wassmann said she feels grateful for the medical innovation that’s helped give her the gift of time and the hope it could offer others.

“What they learn from me is going to help someone in the future,” she said. “I don’t think anybody could ask for anything better to come out of their lives than to have something that you go through or that you do that ends up bettering someone else’s life in the future.”

Visit ThedaCare Cancer Care for more information about the potential use of the Aliya system to treat soft tissue cancers.

About ThedaCare

For more than 115 years, ThedaCare® has been improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves in northeast and central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 650,000 residents in 17 counties, and employs approximately 7,000 providers and team members at 180 points of care, including 10 hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their unique, best lives. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand needs, find solutions together, and encourage health awareness and action. ThedaCare is part of Froedtert ThedaCare, Wisconsin’s most comprehensive healthcare system.

For more information, visit thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on social media. Members of the media should call Femi Cole, Public and Media Relations Consultant at 920-619-7810 or email him at [email protected].

Date posted: August 4, 2026