Gabrielle Morton’s cancer journey began with a challenging diagnosis, met with the expertise and compassion of the team at GBMC’s Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute. Dr. Sara Fogarty’s approach, both straightforward and caring, outlined a clear and hopeful treatment plan. The successful insertion of Gabrielle’s port was a critical step in her treatment, followed by meticulously administered infusions. During these sessions, Gabrielle found comfort in the attentiveness and knowledge of the nursing staff, a rare sense of tranquility in the face of adversity. A Community of Care: At the heart of Gabrielle's experience was the warmth and support extended beyond medical procedures. Ms. Sandy, the welcoming presence at the front desk of the radiation center, offered smiles and conversations that lightened Gabrielle's spirits. This sense of community reached its peak when the staff celebrated the end of her radiation treatment with a dance, symbolizing victory and joy. Life Beyond Treatment: Post-treatment, Gabrielle reflects on the precious moments she continues to enjoy - watching her children and grandchildren thrive, moments made possible by the care she received at GBMC’s Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute. These experiences are not just milestones in her life but are testaments to the life-altering care provided by GBMC. If you have your own story of hope and healing at GBMC's Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute, we encourage you to share it here: https://gbmchealthcare.formstack.com/forms/mystory.
<div> <p paraid="360042572" paraeid="{dca79841-850d-43ae-b555-2377dffd6d29}{189}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">Kathy Wojcik understands the importance of advocacy. As a patient of gynecologic oncologist Kim Levinson, MD, MPH, she came to most of her visits ready with questions about her disease. As a teacher, she proudly supports her students when they speak up about programs they need.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1472715391" paraeid="{dca79841-850d-43ae-b555-2377dffd6d29}{223}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">Not that she felt she needed to stick up for herself as a cancer patient. In fact, from their first meeting, Wojcik felt Dr. Levinson was someone she could trust. </span> </p> <p paraid="1472715391" paraeid="{dca79841-850d-43ae-b555-2377dffd6d29}{223}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“She listened to me,” Wojcik said. “She explained things. She told me she believed I had stage 3 cancer, but she’d confirm that with surgery.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1787928420" paraeid="{dca79841-850d-43ae-b555-2377dffd6d29}{241}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">The meeting began with Dr. Levinson telling Wojcik her surgery had been scheduled and was two weeks away. </span> </p> <p paraid="1787928420" paraeid="{dca79841-850d-43ae-b555-2377dffd6d29}{241}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“I was shocked, overwhelmed, scared,” Wojcik said. “Yet Dr. Levinson’s demeanor was soothing and certain. She made me feel more comfortable in that first meeting. I have a lot of trust in her.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="384185664" paraeid="{dca79841-850d-43ae-b555-2377dffd6d29}{251}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">As a teacher in the Agricultural Science Academy of Howard County with a background in Animal Science, Wojcik had a bit more facility reading articles about cancer than another patient might. Beyond that, she is naturally curious. So, she read about her disease – about diagnosis, treatment, side effects, everything she could find in an internet search. </span> </p> <p paraid="384185664" paraeid="{dca79841-850d-43ae-b555-2377dffd6d29}{251}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’d tell Dr. Levinson about something I’d read and ask her, ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’” Wojcik said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="174277737" paraeid="{d057cf49-140f-4839-9293-ef861d0fe94d}{30}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">Wojcik was reassured when Dr. Levinson took her questions in stride and offered clear explanations, including admitting there are things oncologists are still learning about cancer. Happily, Wojcik has been able to participate in that work. She proved to be an ideal candidate for one of the many clinical trials in which GBMC participates. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="519619244" paraeid="{d057cf49-140f-4839-9293-ef861d0fe94d}{66}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">Today, Wojcik thinks of joining the clinical trial as the second-best decision she made. The first was becoming Dr. Levinson’s patient. </span> </p> <p paraid="519619244" paraeid="{d057cf49-140f-4839-9293-ef861d0fe94d}{66}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“Friends would ask me why I was at GBMC, when there are bigger academic hospitals just as close,” she said.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“At GBMC, I’m a person, an individual – not a number. The people treating me – from the OR nurse to Chris (Tapley) who scheduled my infusion appointments – everyone is amazing. They became my friends.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="270394606" paraeid="{d057cf49-140f-4839-9293-ef861d0fe94d}{96}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">In the course of her treatment, Wojcik got to know a lot of clinicians at GBMC. She was a patient of both gastroenterologist Niraj D. Jani, MD, and general surgeon Francis S. Rotolo, MD, and got to know their teams, as well. Each experience confirmed for her that GBMC was the right place for treating her cancer. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1964888485" paraeid="{d057cf49-140f-4839-9293-ef861d0fe94d}{116}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">Except for the six weeks she needed to recover from surgery, Wojcik continued teaching through it all. The Agricultural Science Academy is relatively new to Howard County Schools. Students had advocated for it and won their argument. While she didn’t say it in so many words, it’s clear she was determined not to let them down. </span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">And the students came through at every turn. </span> </p> <p paraid="1964888485" paraeid="{d057cf49-140f-4839-9293-ef861d0fe94d}{116}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“Even when I didn’t feel up to it, they did,” she said. As the advisor to the FFA, Wojcik guided her students, often over the phone from home, as they organized an end-of-year banquet – complete with silent auction – and won the right to compete at the national convention, where they placed 6</span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US"><span data-fontsize="12">th</span></span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US"> in the nation. It helped the nurses at GBMC found ways to schedule treatment so she would have her best chance of feeling well when she needed to. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1983894846" paraeid="{d057cf49-140f-4839-9293-ef861d0fe94d}{188}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">Today, she is in remission. She sees Dr. Levinson every four months and hopes to transition to every six months come January. She sees the world differently as a cancer survivor, with a clearer sense of what matters. Each of her three grown children (the youngest has begun her final year of college), found ways to care for and support her during treatment. They are her primary focus – along with her three grandchildren. And doctor appointments remain “a big part of my life.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="54122149" paraeid="{d057cf49-140f-4839-9293-ef861d0fe94d}{218}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">And, as inquisitive as she is, Wojcik is learning to live in the moment.</span> </p> <p paraid="54122149" paraeid="{d057cf49-140f-4839-9293-ef861d0fe94d}{218}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“You have to believe and trust the team helping you make the best decisions,” she said. "Focus on taking care of yourself and advocating for yourself.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div>
<div> <p paraid="738692707" paraeid="{ee035160-686d-4533-a878-515cc6166995}{161}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">Diane and Howard Gartner </span><span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-US">first met as counselors at a local day camp while in high school and quickly discovered they </span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">were kindred spirits. The couple, who were married 51 years, had been childhood sweethearts and they enjoyed the same taste in music and food. They shared a love of sports. And they both believed strongly in giving back – especially as volunteers. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> </div> <div> <p paraid="1979204922" paraeid="{ee035160-686d-4533-a878-515cc6166995}{205}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“Diane was always the classroom mom when our kids were in school and was very active in the PTA,” Howard said. Years later, when she became a breast cancer survivor, Diane volunteered at the infusion center close to their home and at Hopewell Cancer Support Center. In addition to coaching little league and serving on nonprofit boards, Howard was a Big Brother, mentoring a suddenly fatherless young man into adulthood. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1884534404" paraeid="{ee035160-686d-4533-a878-515cc6166995}{245}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">As they advanced in their lives and recognized their good fortune – they were enjoying good health and were financially comfortable – they decided to include giving in their estate planning. For them, placing their assets in a trust made sense. And true to their shared beliefs, their trust provides gifts to the nonprofit organizations that have touched their lives. They are investing in their children’s future by giving back to the community. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="870489164" paraeid="{a4fe531a-8613-4246-999c-0c04b9e1cd59}{14}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">The care Diane received at GBMC’s Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute inspired her generosity – and her confidence. She was first treated by Dr. Gary Cohen, then the program’s medical director. </span> </p> <p paraid="870489164" paraeid="{a4fe531a-8613-4246-999c-0c04b9e1cd59}{14}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“He was terrific,” Howard said. “He was knowledgeable, of course, and he held Diane’s hand throughout the process.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="21483812" paraeid="{a4fe531a-8613-4246-999c-0c04b9e1cd59}{34}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">Diane’s cancer went into remission and, when Dr. Cohen retired, she got to know Dr. Robert Donegan as she returned for regular checkups. She and Howard were gratified to find in Dr. Donegan that same combination of skilled professional and wonderful human being they’d found in Dr. Cohen. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1097351932" paraeid="{a4fe531a-8613-4246-999c-0c04b9e1cd59}{46}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">When Diane’s cancer returned four years ago, having metastasized, Dr. Donegan’s expertise and kindness were an enormous blessing. </span> </p> <p paraid="1097351932" paraeid="{a4fe531a-8613-4246-999c-0c04b9e1cd59}{46}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“Dr. Donegan was so compassionate in the way he enlightened us to the situation,” Howard said. “He was encouraging and said we would find ways to prolong Diane’s health.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="173307588" paraeid="{a4fe531a-8613-4246-999c-0c04b9e1cd59}{60}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">Knowing the couple would get some much-needed rest during a planned winter in Florida, Dr. Donegan started her on a chemotherapy drug she could take orally, rather than by infusion. She continued to meet with Dr. Donegan, shifting to a telemedicine platform. He and his team found an oncologist near the Gartners’ Florida home and shared her medical records so she had full support there, should she need it. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1582024714" paraeid="{a4fe531a-8613-4246-999c-0c04b9e1cd59}{100}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">The compassion Diane and Howard recognized in their GBMC doctors and staff is a trait they themselves share. As difficult as her illness was, the couple would talk about patients they witnessed who were managing the same burdens of cancer treatment – and harsher ones – often with fewer resources. They worried about her fellow patients. Those concerns were eased when they learned more about GBMC’s Oncology Support Services (OSS) and the ways the team removes barriers to care for cancer patients – from the cost of medications to transportation. It is another example of the combination of expertise and patient-centered caring they appreciate at GBMC. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="371582076" paraeid="{a4fe531a-8613-4246-999c-0c04b9e1cd59}{166}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">Dr. Cohen’s and Dr. Donegan’s extraordinary kindness, the way everyone at GBMC made them feel well cared for, and the ways they saw GBMC caring for others inspired Diane to include a generous gift to an endowment fund for OSS in her trust. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1217124121" paraeid="{a4fe531a-8613-4246-999c-0c04b9e1cd59}{188}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">That Diane’s gift plans have come to fruition feels bittersweet. Over time, the cancer’s growth outpaced the ability of medications to combat it and lymphedema, a side effect of her first treatments for breast cancer, spread. More importantly, Diane’s pain and agitation became overwhelming. For a time, she benefited from palliative medicine. Ultimately, she was admitted to Gilchrist for hospice care, and family and friends were given the time they needed to say goodbye. Diane passed away on July 2, 2022. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1516328334" paraeid="{b3ad8f31-cd82-4bc5-a898-5fb0d039532b}{9}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">It is a comfort to her family to know Diane’s name will live on in service to other cancer patients. The Diane E. Gartner Symptom Management Suite in the Sandra R. Berman Pavilion will ease the path of countless cancer patients for years to come. When a cancer patient needs emergency care, they can be treated by the oncology team in a familiar place, rather than in an emergency department. The clinicians who care for them will have the expertise the patients need. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="415515591" paraeid="{b3ad8f31-cd82-4bc5-a898-5fb0d039532b}{57}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">It is a fitting tribute to a woman who lived the belief it is better to give than to receive. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> </p> </div>
<div> <p paraid="291206407" paraeid="{de1a9088-394a-4f1e-a3e7-1261b28d9bdf}{162}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">When a strong, committed team comes together, it’s amazing what they can accomplish. In the case of breast cancer patient Christine Matthews, the staff of the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute brought her from diagnosis through treatment with care and precision—all in a single year. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1501719502" paraeid="{de1a9088-394a-4f1e-a3e7-1261b28d9bdf}{178}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">Matthews’ cancer experience began just over a year ago. She was on vacation, relaxing, when she found a lump. She returned from vacation and had an appointment with her obstetrician-gynecologist, who quickly referred her for an ultrasound-guided biopsy. Within a week of seeing her doctor, she had a diagnosis of breast cancer and a referral to see breast surgeon Lauren Schnaper, MD, FACS. She met with Dr. Schnaper at the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Comprehensive Breast Care Center within days.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="2070845107" paraeid="{de1a9088-394a-4f1e-a3e7-1261b28d9bdf}{210}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“Dr. Schnaper was very calm, very knowledgeable,” Matthews recalled. “She explained everything to me. She put me at ease.” </span> </p> <p paraid="2070845107" paraeid="{de1a9088-394a-4f1e-a3e7-1261b28d9bdf}{210}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">At the Sandra and Malcolm Comprehensive Breast Care Center, Matthews was able to have her follow-up ultrasound right next door to Dr. Schnaper’s office and have the results within minutes. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1553480499" paraeid="{de1a9088-394a-4f1e-a3e7-1261b28d9bdf}{216}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">This arrangement was one Dr. Schnaper designed when she came to GBMC many years ago, and it has been copied elsewhere since. Patients can move from testing to diagnosis to treatment in a single location, saving time that can pay off in improved results for their care. Matthews is a fan. </span> </p> <p paraid="1553480499" paraeid="{de1a9088-394a-4f1e-a3e7-1261b28d9bdf}{216}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“Having it under one roof takes so much anxiety out of the patient’s mind,” she said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1461976115" paraeid="{de1a9088-394a-4f1e-a3e7-1261b28d9bdf}{222}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">It isn’t as though Matthews is easily rattled. Originally from Germany, she earned her doctorate in business from Technical University in Berlin, Germany and went on to earn a master's in packaging engineering from Michigan State University</span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US"> She also holds a high-powered job in health</span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">care procurement. Matthews has navigated difficult waters before and was prepared to do so again. But when she talked with Dr. Schnaper and then when she realized the staff at GBMC was ready to accommodate her schedule and ensure prompt care, she knew she’d found a team with whom she could relax. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1371308740" paraeid="{c65070c2-4dc7-42e5-8b9b-a1dd4c25f75b}{5}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">Even when she came down with COVID-19 and had to postpone surgery for a week, the Breast Center team stayed in touch, and her care otherwise remained on track. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1207012446" paraeid="{c65070c2-4dc7-42e5-8b9b-a1dd4c25f75b}{11}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">When she was admitted to the hospital for surgery, “I told my husband it was the best day of my life. I knew I was going under anesthesia</span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US"> and it was a very risky procedure. But I thought, ‘I’m in good hands.’ I had the entire staff behind me along this journey," she recalled.</span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="445589303" paraeid="{c65070c2-4dc7-42e5-8b9b-a1dd4c25f75b}{23}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“The journey I had at GBMC was amazing. Everybody was so kind, and everybody explained things very thoroughly. Susan Simeon, the nurse navigator, was phenomenal in terms of guiding me through all the testing and setting up the schedule. Pre-booking all the appointments was so helpful.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="327816344" paraeid="{c65070c2-4dc7-42e5-8b9b-a1dd4c25f75b}{35}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">When she met with radiation oncologist Dr. Kruti Patel, Matthews received not only the treatment she needed to halt her cancer, but also a referral for help with some of the side effects of her treatment. A schedule of visits to the Greater Baltimore Center for Rehabilitation Medicine for physical therapy and lymphedema treatments was her final step. After that, she is hoping to see her oncology team for check-ups only. For now, she’s grateful—for the excellent care she received at GBMC’s Comprehensive Breast Care Center and for an experience that is restoring her focus on joy. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="55608627" paraeid="{c65070c2-4dc7-42e5-8b9b-a1dd4c25f75b}{45}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“I look at my weekends differently now,” she said. “I spend these weekends with purpose. I enjoy my sons’ sports events. Those are the moments of joy in life that you remember, that nobody brings back to you again.”</span> </p> </div>
Rebecca and John Cahall had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of their twin girls, who were due in July 2023. But their joy turned into fear when Rebecca developed pre-eclampsia, a dangerous condition that causes high blood pressure and can harm both mother and baby. At 28 weeks, Rebecca had to undergo an emergency cesarean section to save her life and the lives of her babies. The twins, who shared a placenta, were born weighing less than three pounds each and were immediately taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at GBMC. There, the doctors discovered another complication: the twins had twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS), a rare disorder that affects the blood flow between identical twins. One twin was getting more red blood cells than the other, causing one to be pale and anemic and the other to be red and polycythemic. The condition can lead to serious problems such as brain damage, heart failure and death, if left untreated. The twins needed several blood transfusions and close monitoring to stabilize their condition. Rebecca, who was recovering from surgery, was not able to see her babies for 24 hours. She said it was heartbreaking to be separated from them and not be able to hold them or be with them. "I could see them in there with like their tubes and wires. I knew they were fighting for their lives. It was kind of like a relief that they were alive, but also terrifying that they were so fragile," she said. John, who was juggling work and family responsibilities, said he felt helpless and overwhelmed by the situation. He said he tried to stay positive and supportive for his wife and his daughters. "It was hard to see them so small and vulnerable. I wanted to protect them and make them better, but I couldn't do anything. I just had to trust the doctors and nurses," he said. The Cahalls said they found comfort and guidance from the staff at the NICU, who became like a second family to them. They said the nurses taught them how to care for their babies, how to change their diapers, how to feed them, and how to bond with them through skin-to-skin contact. "They were amazing. They were so compassionate and knowledgeable. They listened to our concerns and answered our questions. They celebrated every milestone with us. They made us feel like we were not alone," Rebecca said. The Cahalls also found support from other parents in the NICU, who shared their stories and experiences with them. They said they formed friendships that lasted beyond their stay at the hospital. "We met some wonderful people who were going through similar things as us. We understood each other's struggles and joys. We cheered each other on. We became a community," John said. After 12 weeks of ups and downs, the twins were finally ready to be discharged. The NICU staff threw a graduation party for them, complete with onesies, certificates and pictures. The Cahalls said it was a bittersweet moment to leave the place that had been their home for so long. "We were so happy to take our girls home, but we were also sad to say goodbye to everyone who helped us so much. They were like family to us. We will always be grateful for what they did for us," Rebecca said. The twins, who are now 2 years old, are doing well at home. They are growing, smiling and developing their own personalities. Rebecca said they are miracles who have overcome so much. "They are our little fighters. They have shown us how strong they are. They have taught us how precious life is. They are our everything," she said. The 35th annual Father's Day 5K is an excellent opportunity to support babies like the Cahall twins while also spending quality time with your own family participating in a fun and healthy activity. The 5K run/walk suitable for all ages and fitness levels will be held on June 18, and supports GBMC's NICU babies and the staff that care for them. By registering for this event, you will not only have a great time with your loved ones but also support GBMC's mission to provide top-quality healthcare to future of the Baltimore community—its newborns. Don't miss out on this chance to create unforgettable memories and make a positive impact on your community! Register Now!
Advanced Care Planning is an important topic that everyone should consider, regardless of age or health status. It involves making decisions about the care you would want to receive if you became seriously ill or unable to make decisions for yourself. Tracie Schwoyer-Morgan shares her story about how Advanced Care Planning helped her and Aunt with end-of-life care. For more information on Advanced Care Planning, visit these links: https://www.gbmc.org/advance-care-planning https://gilchristcares.org/services/elder-medical-care/advance-care-planning/ https://theconversationproject.org/
At every turn of his cancer journey at GBMC, Ralph Campbell, and his wife Marcy, found kindness. Marcy Campbell was so moved by the care everyone at the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute gave to Ralph that, after his death, she was determined to give something back. After reviewing her assets and ensuring she had enough to live on and could take care of her children, she established a charitable gift annuity to benefit the Cancer Institute. “I knew it was the right thing to do,” she says. “You plant a seed and it grows and grows and you know you’ve done the right thing.” Campbell is reluctant to say she’s proud of herself, though she does appreciate being part of the prestigious Elizabeth Duncan Yaggy Society, which recognizes planned gift donors to GBMC. “I feel good,” she says.“I have a sense of relief, too, to know when that happens, it’ll go to GBMC.” In the meantime, the annuity provides her a modest income. Her years working at Brown Advisory had given her a glimpse into planned giving. The firm had several clients who gave to charity and who included large charitable requests in their wills. “I thought, ‘I wish I could be this philanthropic.’” And when the time came to look over own affairs, “I did what I thought I could do and what felt right for me.” The charitable gift annuity is just one way Campbell gives back to GBMC. She volunteers for the Nearly New Sale, where she is in charge of the housewares department, and is a valued volunteer one day each week in GBMC’s Human Resources department. She takes both responsibilities seriously but confesses she and her Nearly New colleagues have a lot of fun. “We wonder how we’d feel if we were paid staff,” she says. As it is, we have a blast!” This year, Campbell is looking back on what would have been 50 years of marriage to Ralph. The two met in high school and married in 1972. They raised two children together, and she has countless fond memories of the life together she calls “wonderful.” She doesn’t dwell much on the difficult times cancer brought to them but is instead grateful for Dr. Marshall Levine’s dedication and support. In fact, she felt they had the whole oncology team caring for them. One day in particular, she was feeling overwhelmed by Ralph’s frail condition and her own fears. She pushed him in a wheelchair, grateful to be standing where he wouldn’t be able to see her tears. A nurse noticed, and quietly arranged for another staff member to take Ralph to his appointment so Campbell could have a few minutes in a quiet room to herself to recover. It’s a kindness she will never forget. Every spouse of a cancer patient probably has a similar story – and at the Berman Cancer Institute, that moment features a thoughtful staff member who recognizes their need and steps in to help. By securing a gift to the oncology program in her estate, Marcy Campbell has paid that kindness forward. As she says, “It’s a good feeling.” For information about providing for GBMC in your will or estate plan, please email Senior Director of Principal Gifts John Jeppi at jjeppi@gbmc.org.
Gordon Ashby jokes he wishes he’d found a different path to faith. But it is exactly that faith that sustained him through multiple bouts with cancer. He was first diagnosed with testicular cancer 25 years ago. After surgery, the urologist treating him pronounced Ashby cancer-free. But as a young father and husband, he couldn’t escape his anxiety. “Our entire world was shaken,” Ashby says, “including my understanding of life and truth.” On a walk one evening after surgery, he passed a small, independent church and felt called to go in. A woman he met there talked with him a bit and invited him to come back on Sunday. It has been a haven for him ever since. Ashby was searching for truth in uncertain times and found it in the Bible. When, a few months later, a blood test discovered elevated tumor markers, the feeling of being shaken returned. But this time, he was more at peace, he says, thanks to his faith in Jesus and the steadfast support of his wife and family. As he began to look for the best care possible, a world-renowned oncologist in Indianapolis recommended he seeka week-long treatment regimen right away. A Baltimore oncologist offered to begin treatment the following Monday. Ashby then called Paul Celano, MD, FACP, FASCO, a medical oncologist and the Herman and Walter Samuelson Medical Director of GBMC’s Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute. “I told him about my conversation with the doctor in Indianapolis and Dr. Celano said, ‘No problem. Come in tomorrow and we will begin your treatments immediately.’” Ashby was relieved to start right away, but the medications had harsh side effects. He needed infusions of white blood cells, in addition to chemotherapy. “There were amazing nurses in the Infusion Center,” he recalls. “They were so loving and caring, and such bright spots in an otherwise very dark time. “Praise Jesus, I was healed, and I thank Him for using Dr. Celano and his staff to do so.” Sixteen years later, however, Ashby came to the GBMC Emergency Department, with blood in his urine. “They found kidney cancer and another tumor in my abdomen that turned out to be testicular,” he says. “Two cancers. Not my best night.” To make matters worse, this was the Wednesday night before the Ravens were playing in the Super Bowl, and Ashby had tickets. To his relief, Dr. Celano noticed his name on the Emergency Department list and stopped by to see him. Dr. Celano assured him the cancers could be treated. When a downcast Ashby mentioned his Super Bowl tickets, Dr. Celano was upbeat, telling him to go to the game and bring back a win. As Ashby recalls, Dr. Celano told him, “You have to live your life.” After the win, Ashby noticed the words “Psalm 91” on Ray Lewis’s T-shirt. In the modern NIV bible, the Psalm reads, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."" This Psalm became a daily prayer. When he returned for treatment, Ashby was delighted to find nurse Judy Feeney still working in the Infusion Center. His regard for the infusion nurses only grew during his second course of treatment. “These women were like angels to me, and I thank God for each and every one of them,” he says. He was also introduced to GBMC Chaplain the Reverend J. Joseph Hart, director of Spiritual Support Services for GBMC HealthCare. As he returns for periodic scans, Ashby has kept up his relationship with Rev. Hart and the Spiritual Support Team. “I pray with them,” he says. “They are incredibly comforting.” Gordon Ashby knows cancer has upended his and his family’s life several times, again this year with another surprising late metastases. He is equally certain Jesus can make things right again and that if he needs them even 25 years from now, his team at GBMC will be there to support him. You can support patients like Gordon Ashby by donating to the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC today.
“Mommy. My body feels...itchy...” Bleary-eyed and in a sleepless postpartum haze, I was tempted to not even turn on the light. Certain my 4-year-old had woken me to inspect a minuscule bug bite or scratchy pajama tag, I was a little annoyed. Good thing I checked. Her tiny pale body, usually pristine and unblemished, was covered in a blotchy red rash. The next morning, it was much worse. She had a fever of 104 and was shaking. The rash had turned to lesions that looked like welts. They seemed to be morphing—appearing and disappearing before my eyes—in different places on her body. Her wrists were purple, her ankles bruised-looking and too swollen to walk. I texted a video of her, hunched and arthritic, struggling to hobble to the bathroom, to a nurse I know. She responded immediately: “Go to the ED.” There was no doubt to which ED she meant for us to go. GBMC has the only dedicated Pediatric Emergency Department in Baltimore County. Once there, we were whisked to a room specially outfitted for children and greeted by Child Life Specialist Autumn Finelli. She turned what I thought would be a harrowing experience into one where my daughter felt safe and confident, pampered even. “You look like you need a popsicle,” Autumn said to her. “Or... maybe, some chocolate ice cream?” My daughter, feverish and swollen, looked at me with eyes that said, “I think I’m going to like it here.” She didn’t even notice the IV going in. Autumn had introduced a Frozen coloring book and an iPad; they were deep in discussion on the merits of Doc McStuffins versus Daniel Tiger. My daughter was distracted as the clinicians – a pediatric hospitalist and two pediatric nurses – worked swiftly and quietly, drawing five vials of blood, administering steroids, monitoring her vital signs. They seemed to move as one: a well-oiled machine with an unspoken mission of making her comfortable as quickly and painlessly as possible. Her diagnosis was serum sickness, a rare immune complex reaction in children under six. I’m not sure a hospital that doesn't specialize in the unique needs of children would have been able to identify it. I am eternally grateful for the experience of the pediatric specialists at GBMC. Recovery was tough: weeks of sickness, trying to regain strength and repeated attempts to wean from steroids. But I wasn’t alone. The GBMC pediatric team treated me like family—checking on our progress, conducting video visits on demand, and constantly making medication adjustments. With the guidance and clinical expertise of Dr. Rachel Plotnick, we got my little girl well again. It is easy to take GBMC for granted, but as community members, we must realize how fortunate we are to have pediatric services of this caliber in our backyard. Our neighboring hospitals have closed their pediatric units. These closures combined with the staffing shortages worsened during the pandemic has put incredible pressure on GBMC as the only dedicated Pediatric Emergency Department in Baltimore County. Your financial support ensures GBMC will continue to be here, ready to serve when it’s your child’s time of need. Please join me in supporting the Pediatric Emergency Department today.
How do you survive cancer while continuing to operate a farm? In Dan Colhoun’s case, it took lots of determination and a bit of luck. But if you ask him, the key was finding the right oncology team. Radiation Oncologist Dr. Geoffrey Neuner's approach was "very understanding of my goals,” he recalled. “I wanted to retain as much physical ability, to run my life and my farm as much as I could.” Dan and Julia Colhoun bought their Baltimore County farm in 1960, the same year they married. Their family and the farm have grown over the years and Dan Colhoun embraced every opportunity to be a good steward of the land. Today, at 88 and 90, the couple manage some 200 acres, assisted by a full-time worker. Committed to the land, Colhoun volunteered for and even helped launch some of the agriculture and conservation programs that have preserved 80,000 acres for farming in Baltimore County. He finds it rewarding “to see so much active agricultural industry alive and well in northern Baltimore County. It lets young people see a future for themselves in agriculture.” Colhoun thinks a lot about the future, just as he did six years ago when he found a swollen gland in his neck and his family doctor recommended a biopsy. His wife had been successfully treated for breast cancer at GBMC years earlier so he visited GBMC’s Milton J. Dance Jr., Head and Neck Center for his biopsy. He was determined to find the best treatment there was long term, so he met with oncologists at all the prominent hospitals in the area to determine next steps. Every one of them recommended surgery to remove the tumor at the base of his tongue and most suggested surgery to then be followed by radiation therapy. The oncologist at the Dance Center was the only one who told him he had time to consider his options. He preferred a noninvasive treatment, one that would disrupt his lifestyle working on the farm as little as possible. After doing this research, Colhoun returned to the institution where he’d felt most confident and most comfortable: GBMC’s Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute. When he met with radiation oncologist Dr. Neuner, he found someone with an approach that was understanding of his own goals. “He looked me in the eye, every time we met. And he thoughtfully looked out for my welfare,” he said. Listening to the Colhouns describe their life and goals, Dr. Neuner suggested a plan that was the reverse of the one they’d been presented elsewhere. He recommended beginning with radiation therapy, then turning to surgery if it was necessary. The recovery path from surgery, particularly at 82, was likely to be steeper than from radiation. And it worked. Colhoun is now cancer free and never needed surgery. Clinical studies of this approach have since confirmed its efficacy in treating cancers like Colhoun’s. Treatment wasn’t easy, though – far from it. Colhoun found himself “demobilized” by exhaustion, and occasionally needed a cane to walk. The determination and grit he had sharpened serving in the U.S. Marine Corps kicked in. “I decided I’m going to get up and go out and do the chores,” he recalled. “No matter what. “I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. And I had Dr. Neuner’s encouragement. He’d tell me, ‘get out of bed if you possibly can.’ And I did.” As much as he prefers moving forward, Colhoun has a full life to reflect on. He flew in the last propeller-driven attack aircraft the Marine Corps had and later ran a civil engineering firm that did work up and down the East Coast and Alaska. While the cancer itself is behind him, some side effects remain. Food doesn’t taste good to him, and he has added an afternoon nap to his daily schedule. Yet this morning, Colhoun is out on the tractor, bringing in the field corn. Some will feed his own livestock; the rest will be sold. “Step-by-step,” he said. “I can see the fruits of my labors.” For that, he says, he is grateful to Dr. Neuner and GBMC. To support patients like Dan Colhoun, please consider a donation to the Berman Cancer Institute.
In 2021, more than 2,300 cancer patients who lacked the resources to travel to their appointments at GBMC were provided with free transportation. This service was made possible by donors like Eugenia Starghill. Starghill is a recurring gift donor to GBMC’s Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute, and has contributed to its array of programs, including Oncology Support Services. A breast cancer survivor, Starghill is aware she has been more fortunate than many others. For one thing, her breast cancer was caught early. She came into the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Comprehensive Breast Care Center for a routine mammogram and was brought to see Breast Surgeon Dr. Sarah Fogarty right away. After a biopsy, then a successful lumpectomy, her treatment regimen now involves taking a pill once a day. She currently sees Medical Oncologist and Hematologist Dr. Priyanka Mittar regularly to ensure her recovery continues. After receiving an email describing the need for donations to the Oncology Support Services program, Starghill recognized the need and contributed. Oncology Support Services at GBMC includes counseling by licensed social workers, help navigating a cancer journey, and free transportation to and from oncology visits. Patients are never charged for any of these services and the program relies entirely on donations. “I got information about people who need help getting back and forth to their appointments,” Starghill recalled. “I have my family and have been able to use Uber to get back and forth. I knew I could help people who need help.” She enrolled in a monthly giving program that provides a sense of security to the Oncology Support Services program and, by extension, those they seek to serve. Donors like Starghill who arrange recurring gifts choose an amount they can manage and increase the impact of their giving by continuing to give that amount every month. It is a powerful way to help others. It also indicates GBMC and the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute have earned her trust, as a patient, and as a donor. GBMC is Eugenia Starghill’s hospital. She has been here for surgery in the past and when she got her breast cancer diagnosis, she knew where to go. “I had a lot of faith in GBMC,” she said. “I have been pleased with the care I’ve received.” Recurring gifts come in all sizes, entirely at the donor’s discretion. And they don’t just help those on the receiving end. “It makes me feel good because I know I can help somebody who needs help," Starghill said. To set up your own recurring gift, please visit www.gbmc.org/supportcancercare. For more information about Oncology Support Services or making a recurring gift donation, please contact Director of Major Gifts, Maureen McNeill, at (443) 849-4328.
We asked some of the leaders of the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute what inspired them to work with cancer patients. In each edition of Greater Together, we will feature one of them and their answers. We begin with Paul Celano, MD, FACP, FASCO, Herman and Walter Samuelson Medical Director of the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute. “My interest in cancer and in science goes back to when I was a child. My aunt unfortunately died of ovarian cancer when I was young, and it had a big impact on me. It really inspired me to better understand illnesses, and cancer, in particular. I’m the second member of my family to go to college; my oldest brother went to the Naval Academy. “I went to Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City where I learned from some of the leaders of clinical trials, which has really been a large part of my career. “But my real interest has always been in patient care and that’s really what brought me to GBMC because of their long history of excellence in patient care.” Support The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute and its remarkable physicians like Dr. Paul Celano.
In the back of her mind, Alicia Barger always knew something like this was coming. When an abnormality appeared during her regular mammogram and ultrasound in February 2021, the 46-year-old speech-language pathology graduate instructor did not hesitate. Her primary care doctor at GBMC Health Partners, Dr. Sarah Whiteford, acknowledged news of an abnormality could be scary, but assured Alicia she would be in good hands with Dr. Sara Fogarty, Director of the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Comprehensive Breast Care Center at GBMC. “I trust Dr. Whiteford implicitly,” Alicia said. “Four days after my biopsy results came in, I met my nurse navigator, who ended up being my nurse champion. “And then Dr. Fogarty came in. She eased my mind. She came in a few minutes late because she had been in surgery all day, but she spent so much time with me and walked me through step by step, very clear, very concise, and very real about the experience. She answered every question but wasn’t an alarmist. She was articulate and made me feel like this was an approachable thing, that I could do this.” Dr. Fogarty performed a lumpectomy in April. A few days after her the surgery, Alicia got a call from her breast surgeon with the pathology report: she needed to come back in. “That time I was nervous,” Alicia said. “I brought my husband.” The pathology report showed micro invasive cancer, which moved Alicia’s Stage 0 ductal carcinoma in situ diagnosis to a Stage 1A breast cancer diagnosis, which meant an additional surgery for a margin re-excision of the first lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. Radiation was also added to the treatment plan to ensure margins stayed clear. “The worst parts of the entire process were the days of the surgeries when they have to wheel you all over for prep. That was stressful,” Alicia said. “That’s why I think the new (Sandra R. Berman Pavilion) building is going to be so incredible because you won’t have to go through the hallways and move all around to get things done.” During her diagnosis and treatment, Alicia shared her journey with friends and family, some of whom still live in her parents’ hometown of Elmira, New York. Everyone had advice or an experience to share, but Alicia followed her intuition, including putting her faith in experts she trusts at GBMC. “I think sometimes people look at Baltimore and think Hopkins, so they will ask if I was treated there, but just because Hopkins has the name, that doesn’t always mean it’s the place to go for you. Especially if you live in the Baltimore County area, GBMC is where you go. It doesn’t feel like a hospital. It’s so welcoming. I already knew the system and I felt very at ease.” In addition to having a cancer experience and a primary care doctor at GBMC, Alicia also went through fertility treatment and eventually utlized GBMC’s Labor and Delivery services when she had her only daughter, Maggie, who is now a preteen. The two are extremely close and concerns for Maggie dominated Alicia’s thoughts through her diagnosis and treatment. “When I first got this diagnosis, it was like the ball dropped. I think my whole life I was waiting for something like this to happen,” Alicia said. “We sat Maggie down and explained it to her the same way Dr. Fogarty explained it to me. That was the hardest thing for me: wanting her to understand it but not to scare her. We talked about it a lot and how it might impact her later in life. I’m very open with her.” Reports following the second surgery found no traces of cancerous cells, and at her mammogram in February 2022, everything remained clear. All in all, treatment lasted five months, but the experience at GBMC will stay with Alicia forever. “I tell everyone where I went and about the team,” Alicia said. Support The Sandra & Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute and patients like Alicia, donate here.
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