Pausing for Bob’s 150th Treatment

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of helping mark a milestone that was both inspiring and humbling.

Bob Windsor was arriving for his 150th chemotherapy treatment at GBMC. One hundred and fifty. It is hard to even type that number without pausing. For more than 20 years, Bob has lived with colon cancer. He has endured surgeries, radiation, countless appointments, and more treatments than most of us can imagine.

No one would choose that road. But when Bob arrived that day, surrounded by people who clearly cared about him, what came through was his warmth, his humor, his gratitude, and the way he still makes room for hope.

We marked Bob’s 150th treatment with a small surprise because a moment like that deserves to be acknowledged. More than just another appointment on the calendar, it was a chance to pause, honor the road Bob and his wife, Nancy, have traveled, and recognize the care team that has been beside them through so much of it.

A couple of weeks later, Bob shared his story again, this time as the keynote speaker at GBMC’s annual Cancer Survivorship Celebration. The event, hosted by our Cancer Survivorship Program team, brings survivors, loved ones, clinicians, and caregivers together each year to honor the many different paths people travel after a cancer diagnosis. What began more than three decades ago as a small potluck has grown into a meaningful gathering where survivors are reminded that their stories matter.

That role felt right for Bob. His story speaks to something many patients and families understand all too well: survivorship is not always a clean finish line. Sometimes it means being done with treatment. Sometimes it means continuing treatment. Sometimes it means waiting for scans, managing side effects, living with uncertainty, and still choosing to show up for life.

For years, Bob has been cared for by Dr. Robert Donegan and the team at the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute. Bob has described Dr. Donegan as more than his doctor: “like a brother.” I keep thinking about that phrase. It says so much about what patients and families need when they are facing something as frightening and exhausting as cancer.

They need medical expertise, absolutely. But they also need people who know them, listen to them, laugh with them when they can, and sit with them when things are hard. They need care that recognizes the person and not just the diagnosis.

That same understanding is at the heart of GBMC’s Cancer Survivorship Program. Led by oncology nurse Felicity Kirby, the program supports patients and families as they prepare for life after cancer treatment and navigate the challenges that can come with that transition. It is ongoing work that is practical, personal, and important. It also takes a special kind of team... people who can help patients think about next steps while also understanding the fear, relief, uncertainty, and hope that can all exist at the same time. Felicity brings that kind of care to this work, and her recent Art of Nursing Award for patient- and family-centered care reflects that beautifully.

That is what I keep coming back to when I think about Bob’s 150th treatment and his message at the Survivorship Celebration. Cancer care is often measured in appointments, scans, lab results, and treatment numbers. But behind all of that are people, families, relationships, and stories of endurance that deserve to be honored.

Bob, thank you for letting us be part of your story.

Employee Spotlight

J. Christopher Greenawalt, MD

Division Chief of Hospital Medicine and Vice Chief of Staff

GBMC Hospital - Internal Medicine

How long have you been at GBMC HealthCare?

23 years

What is one key way you support a zero harm/safety culture?

I am an active member of almost all of the inpatient hospital committees where we work continuously to improve patient safety and patient experience, building upon the already strong foundation here at GBMC.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my work here at GBMC is building a skilled team of hospitalists who provide exceptional quality care to our patients every single day.

What's your favorite hobby?

Collecting classic cars