<div> <p paraid="364619836" paraeid="{1dfc4806-1f16-417a-a555-c811554f14c4}{162}"> <span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]" data-ccp-parastyle-defn="{"ObjectId":"2b710191-210c-456a-b900-5baf232126d5|34","ClassId":1073872969,"Properties":[469775450,"[Basic Paragraph]",201340122,"2",134233614,"true",469778129,"BasicParagraph",335572020,"99",201342448,"3",469777841,"Minion Pro",469777842,"Minion Pro",469777843,"新細明體",469777844,"Minion Pro",469769226,"Minion Pro,新細明體",335551500,"0",335559740,"288",201341983,"0",335559739,"0",469778324,"Normal"]}">It </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">wasn’t</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]"> the most important thing, but Anne Nester </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">Pidcock</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">, PhD, was thrilled when she could do a half handstand against the wall with ease. Anne’s true goal is to align her body, </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">mind</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]"> and spirit. After dealing with two unrelated cancer diagnoses in less than three months, she felt she was reclaiming control of her life. Part of her approach: taking the empowering pose before each surgery and major procedure. </span></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":0,"335559740":288}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="498369298" paraeid="{1dfc4806-1f16-417a-a555-c811554f14c4}{180}"> <span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">In fall 2022, a routine mammogram found stage 1 breast cancer. Her primary care physician, friends, and colleagues all recommended GBMC’s Lauren </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">Schnaper</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">, MD, FACS, and the team at the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Comprehensive Breast Care Center. </span></span> </p> <p paraid="498369298" paraeid="{1dfc4806-1f16-417a-a555-c811554f14c4}{180}"> <span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">At Anne’s first visit to the Breast Care Center, “Dr. </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">Schnaper</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]"> spent </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">90 minutes</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]"> with me and my husband.” Anne recalled with gratitude “the care, the knowledge, the kindness Dr. </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">Schnaper</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]"> and everyone showed me from that moment.” </span></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":0,"335559740":288}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="234425240" paraeid="{1dfc4806-1f16-417a-a555-c811554f14c4}{202}"> <span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">Anne is no stranger to GBMC; </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">she’s</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]"> been an active volunteer since 2012, serving on the Volunteer Auxiliary Board, checking patients in at the welcome desk in the Virginia Sherwood Surgical Center, acting as a “patient” in the Simulation Innovation and Learning Center, and sorting donations and staffing sales at the Nearly New Sale</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">. </span></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":0,"335559740":288}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1161427472" paraeid="{1dfc4806-1f16-417a-a555-c811554f14c4}{212}"> <span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">As a patient, she is grateful for GBMC’s multidisciplinary team approach to cancer treatment. A career in psychology has shown Anne the importance of including the patient in their care</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">. </span></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":0,"335559740":288}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1588486536" paraeid="{1dfc4806-1f16-417a-a555-c811554f14c4}{222}"> <span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">And then, a scan done to prepare for radiation therapy post-lumpectomy found a mass in the large lobe of her left lung. Radiation oncologist </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">Kruti</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]"> N. Patel, MD, called Anne with the “stunning” news that she had stage 3 lung cancer. </span></span> </p> <p paraid="1588486536" paraeid="{1dfc4806-1f16-417a-a555-c811554f14c4}{222}"> <span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">“I never inhaled anything,” Anne said. “I walked six and a half miles the day before the diagnosis and had no symptoms.” </span></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":0,"335559740":288}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1523040168" paraeid="{1dfc4806-1f16-417a-a555-c811554f14c4}{236}"> <span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">An October lumpectomy was followed by a January lobectomy. After the second procedure, thoracic surgeon Jennifer L. Sullivan, MD, FACS, assured Anne her cancer could be treated. A year out, tests have confirmed this is still the case. Medical oncologist and hematologist Robert B. Donegan, MD, ordered genetic testing and found a mutant gene that has been correlated with developing cancer in non-smokers. Multiple radiation treatments and four cycles of chemotherapy, including oral chemotherapy, have been successful</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">. </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]"> </span></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":0,"335559740":288}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1007714969" paraeid="{1dfc4806-1f16-417a-a555-c811554f14c4}{242}"> <span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">Throughout treatments, Anne </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">participated</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]"> in yoga practices, meditation, and massage, as much as she was able. </span></span> </p> <p paraid="1007714969" paraeid="{1dfc4806-1f16-417a-a555-c811554f14c4}{242}"> <span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">“This is something I can do,” she said. “I can prepare myself and make myself stronger. As my yoga instructors have taught me, ‘no matter what, show up on the mat.’ </span></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":0,"335559740":288}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="470208483" paraeid="{1dfc4806-1f16-417a-a555-c811554f14c4}{252}"> <span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">“As I take a deep breath, I acknowledge what a gift it is to breathe freely without worry or anxiety.”</span></span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1661539974" paraeid="{6eb3df96-8e97-413c-b0e0-adadab6e8009}{7}"> <span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">Returning to volunteer work at Nearly New recently gave Anne a sense of normalcy and a welcome distraction. The combination of keeping busy and taking time out to re-focus has been valuable</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">.</span></span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1024279039" paraeid="{6eb3df96-8e97-413c-b0e0-adadab6e8009}{17}"> <span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">The mind-body-spiritual alignment Anne has worked toward is a goal supported by the Integrative and Palliative Medicine (IPM) program of the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute. IPM provides cancer patients with an </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">additional</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]"> multi-dimensional layer of support, delivered in partnership with the patient’s primary oncology team, to help them manage life as a cancer patient and as a cancer survivor.</span></span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1157339859" paraeid="{6eb3df96-8e97-413c-b0e0-adadab6e8009}{27}"> <span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">The IPM team provides patients with the therapies and practices that have helped Anne along the way as she has </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">sought</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]"> to minimize the use of pain medications and rebuild her strength</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">. </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="[Basic Paragraph]">Massage Therapist Becky Burke is “very experienced with oncology patients,” Anne said. “She knows what would work well during treatment and how to relieve and prevent pain.”</span></span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1153595255" paraeid="{6eb3df96-8e97-413c-b0e0-adadab6e8009}{37}"> <span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-US">Volunteering – time spent in the service of others – has brought Anne a sense of wellbeing. </span> </p> <p paraid="1153595255" paraeid="{6eb3df96-8e97-413c-b0e0-adadab6e8009}{37}"> <span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-US">“When my world was turned upside down, practicing yoga and breathing exercises gave me the stability and inner strength to move forward with courage, faith and grace.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":278}"> </span> </p> </div>
<div> <p paraid="2087817814" paraeid="{5570bf4b-bdbe-4362-8122-3d30bb675678}{168}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">Brooke DiManno knew something was wrong when the tech running her sonogram asked her to wait. This was Brooke’s third pregnancy, and she had enough experience with the routine tests and OB-GYN visits for this to set off an internal alarm. Even then, she couldn’t have imagined the journey that lay ahead of her. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> </div> <div> <p paraid="1208184577" paraeid="{5570bf4b-bdbe-4362-8122-3d30bb675678}{212}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">Spoiler: She and her now 10-year-old daughter, Drew, are fine. They’re doing beautifully, in fact. But remembering everything they went through as a family can still bring quiet tears.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1312584982" paraeid="{5570bf4b-bdbe-4362-8122-3d30bb675678}{252}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">The sonogram showed a healthy pregnancy, but also spotted a large mass in her right ovary. Within a day or two, Brooke and her husband, Derek, were sitting across from (now retired) gynecologic cncologist Francis “Bing” Grumbine, MD.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1690005942" paraeid="{cf31a037-6740-40cd-a94c-6074d8a5c47a}{13}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“He was amazing,” she recalled. “He settled my worries and answered all my questions.” </span> </p> <p paraid="1690005942" paraeid="{cf31a037-6740-40cd-a94c-6074d8a5c47a}{13}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">Of course, she had a lot of questions. Dr. Grumbine explained the importance of the first trimester for the baby’s development and recommended postponing surgery until her pregnancy reached 14 weeks. </span> </p> <p paraid="1690005942" paraeid="{cf31a037-6740-40cd-a94c-6074d8a5c47a}{13}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“Dr. Grumbine was caring for me and my baby,” Brooke said. Dr. Grumbine removed Brooke’s right ovary in September, and she went on to deliver a perfect, healthy baby the following March. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1736321511" paraeid="{cf31a037-6740-40cd-a94c-6074d8a5c47a}{67}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“I knew I was in good hands,” she said calmly. “The doctors and staff at GBMC guided me through so well.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1342324638" paraeid="{cf31a037-6740-40cd-a94c-6074d8a5c47a}{73}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">Brooke, Derek and their two oldest daughters, Tessa and Reese, welcomed baby Drew home and for a time were immersed in all the usual delight and disruption that comes with a new baby. When Drew was eight weeks old, Brooke returned to Dr. Grumbine’s office for a follow-up CT scan. Alarmingly, the scan showed a new mass in her left ovary and the team went into action. Brooke was scheduled for a full hysterectomy and chemotherapy. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1134944895" paraeid="{cf31a037-6740-40cd-a94c-6074d8a5c47a}{113}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">After surgery, according to Brooke, “I was assured the surgeons got everything they could see, and chemotherapy would take care of anything surgery couldn’t.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="241487192" paraeid="{cf31a037-6740-40cd-a94c-6074d8a5c47a}{151}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">It’s true what they say about friends in need and, indeed, the DiManno family are blessed with many supportive friends. Parents and in-laws came to stay, and neighbors sent over meals and even helped care for the girls. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="843414057" paraeid="{cf31a037-6740-40cd-a94c-6074d8a5c47a}{171}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">At GBMC, Dr. Paul Celano, FACP, FASCO, Medical Director of the Sandra & Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute, signed onto Brooke’s team and “got me on the right concoction of medicine.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="504761023" paraeid="{cf31a037-6740-40cd-a94c-6074d8a5c47a}{183}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“He was just incredible at giving me guidance and confidence. He’d say, ‘we need to kill all of those fast-growing cells.’ </span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">Through the whole experience, I felt that the doctors put their patients first. They checked and double- and triple-checked in every way so the treatment would be successful.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1660742305" paraeid="{cf31a037-6740-40cd-a94c-6074d8a5c47a}{219}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">Though her chemotherapy regimen was pretty intense – seven hours per day, Monday to Friday in the weeks she received treatment, from July until early that November – Brooke decided every side effect was proof cancer cells were under attack. And the cancer was losing. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="286773028" paraeid="{cf080f3c-0944-46a2-ba57-01eccb6c8a20}{12}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">She told herself, and her children, </span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“My hair will fall out; I’m going to feel and look sicker, but actually, I’m getting well.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1473303396" paraeid="{cf080f3c-0944-46a2-ba57-01eccb6c8a20}{48}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“We’re going to push through with love,” she promised. </span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“I held that posture through the whole thing, and it got me through.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1958927926" paraeid="{cf080f3c-0944-46a2-ba57-01eccb6c8a20}{68}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">In fact, the whole family made it through with flying colors. Drew was thriving almost from the start and, when she looks back on that difficult time, Brooke finds, “In the end, we landed in a stronger place with everything, our marriage, our faith, our family, friends and children. </span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">I’m grateful for that period.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1869413124" paraeid="{cf080f3c-0944-46a2-ba57-01eccb6c8a20}{102}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">When she returned every three months, then every six, Dr. Grumbine “stayed steady, confident,” Brooke said. “He was this rock for me.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="720799001" paraeid="{cf080f3c-0944-46a2-ba57-01eccb6c8a20}{108}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">And now, after 10 years cancer-free, when someone in her circle of friends and family learns of someone who’s been diagnosed with cancer, they often send them to talk with Brooke. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1055188234" paraeid="{cf080f3c-0944-46a2-ba57-01eccb6c8a20}{128}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">“You’re going to walk through the unknown,” she tells them. “Listen to your doctors, listen to your heart, listen to God, and you’ll make it through.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> </span> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1162516451" paraeid="{cf080f3c-0944-46a2-ba57-01eccb6c8a20}{134}"> <span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">And one more thing: “Ask for help.”</span> </p> </div>
<!-- blockquote { padding: 12.5px 25px; margin: 25px 0 25px; font-size: 1.5em; border-left: 5px solid #eee; font-style: italic; } --> It’s almost like Sara Brown can’t stop smiling. You can hear it in her voice as she talks about her husband of 18 years, her two young adult stepchildren, her favorite pastime, and her health. “I’m me again,” she said, “and it is such an incredible feeling!” To fully grasp her joy, you have to understand how far she’s come. "I've always been a bit on the heavy side, and it got so much worse as I got older and became less active." An avid bowler (more on that later), she struggled with her fluctuating weight for years, trying diet after diet that just never stuck. Eventually, she faced mobility challenges, humiliating limitations due to her size, and constant, debilitating pain from a herniated disc and sciatica. “I couldn’t sit cross-legged on the floor with my dogs or fly in a plane without a seatbelt extender.” Despite the daily pain, difficulty moving, and isolation, Sara was very hesitant to consider weight loss surgery. In fact, she sat on the fence about it for 10 years. “I knew people who had successful surgeries, but I also knew some who had complications. That uncertainty scared me enough to keep me from pursuing surgery,” she said, “even though I was miserable.” She finally reached her tipping point on January 1, 2022, thinking to herself, “I’m not living like this anymore – I have to take control of my life.” So that’s exactly what she did. Sara reached out to GBMC’s Comprehensive Obesity Management Program (COMP) and began taking the required presurgical classes. “The classes were easily accessible and so helpful! I also joined COMP’s private Facebook group, where I met my ‘surgery twin,’ Ashley,” she said. Sara and Ashley had the same sleeve gastrectomy procedure on the same day in May 2022, only one hour apart, and with the same surgeon, Dr. Timothee Friesen. In addition to the outstanding support she received from the COMP team, Sara found it beneficial to talk with others, including Ashley, who were going through the same process. To this day, the “surgery twins” still check in with each other every week and exercise together a few times per month. For Sara, the best part of weight loss surgery is not being in pain anymore. Her pain completely vanished shortly after the procedure, which has profoundly improved her life. One of the most challenging parts, though, was not being able to excel in her favorite hobby for 18 months postoperatively. “I’ve been a tenpin bowler for 20 years – I even met my husband at a bowling alley,” she said. What started out as just a fun activity to do with friends became more and more a part of Sara’s life over time. She planned to take six months off from bowling while she healed from surgery. What she did not anticipate was the year it took for her to re-learn the sport with her new body. “It didn’t occur to me that my balance and movements would be so different after losing weight. I really had to work at adjusting all my mechanics, which was quite frustrating at times,” she conceded. But Sara applied the same “no turning back” attitude to bowling that she used to prepare for and recover from surgery and is thrilled to report she’s back in the game, throwing the ball much more consistently. She now bowls on a league three days a week, sometimes traveling out of state to compete. This would have been virtually impossible to do before losing weight. When asked what she’d share with someone who’s considering weight loss surgery, Sara said, “Put yourself first - make your decision based on you and you, alone. And keep in mind that many of the obstacles you face are in your own head. My only regret is I didn’t do this sooner!” Interested in learning more about weight loss surgery and how it could improve your health? The GBMC COMP team will gladly answer your questions! Schedule a video consultation appointment today by visiting www.gbmc.org/weightloss.
“He was afraid I wouldn’t make it to the end of the year,” Elaine Smith says of her husband Tim, as she recounts a heart-to-heart conversation they had in 2022. That was her turning point. “He had his mind on retirement, looking forward to traveling, going on adventures, and golfing together. And he was terrified I wouldn’t be there for it.” By the time this conversation occurred, Elaine had already spent decades trying to maintain a healthy weight. She tried every diet program and exercise regimen she came across. She saw temporary improvement at times, but the weight always came back – often worse than before – and each time with crushing disappointment. Elaine was also suffering from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pre-diabetes, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), dry eye, and significant joint pain due to her weight. Equally upsetting was the loss of confidence and sense of isolation she felt. “My family and friends have always encouraged and supported me, but before surgery, I stayed in the safety of my home as much as possible. It was physically challenging for me to go out in public, not to mention embarrassing,” she explains. “There were times when I had difficulty just getting out of a chair.” When Tim came to Elaine, so genuinely concerned for her health and their future, she knew she had to take action to save her own life. “I scheduled a virtual consultation with Dr. Timothee Friesen shortly afterward and the wheels were set in motion,” she says. Like all patients of GBMC’s Comprehensive Obesity Management Program (COMP), Elaine took part in six months of pre-surgical classes, during which she received nutritional and emotional support from the team of clinicians. Some of the support was in a group setting, and some was one-on-one with a dietitian. She learned what to expect leading up to, during, and following surgery. “I followed that patient binder to the letter!” On June 20, 2023, Elaine had the surgery she worked so hard for, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. She and her team at COMP couldn’t be happier with the results. Since the procedure, Elaine’s blood pressure, cholesterol, GERD, and knee pain have improved. Her blood sugar levels are now within normal range, her dry eye symptoms have disappeared, and she has shed an impressive 117 pounds. But she is quick to point out that it isn’t all about the numbers on the scale. More exciting to her are the real-life victories like fitting comfortably in her seat on a plane; she recently even sat in an emergency exit row because she felt able to be of assistance if needed. A year ago, she couldn’t walk on the beach with Tim while on vacation in South Carolina. They went back six months after her surgery and walked 3.25 miles on the same beach. She is now eager to dress up, go out, and reconnect with people. “I am so proud of myself for this accomplishment,” Elaine shares. “Weight loss surgery is not easy by any means. But it was absolutely worth it to be where I am now, healthy, walking tall and looking forward to the future.” Are you ready to take the next step in your own weight loss journey? GBMC’s COMP team is here and ready to help! Visit www.gbmc.org/weightloss to learn more and get started by making an appointment for a video consultation with a member of the team.
A torn meniscus in his knee with extensive rehabilitation in January. A hospitalized mother, seriously ill with sepsis in February (she has thankfully recovered). A painful kidney stone that required emergency intervention in August. It’s fair to say Neal Cook had a heck of a 2023. Although much of the year was full of doubt and struggle, it also included one of his best decisions ever – having weight loss surgery in April with Dr. Shauna Costinett of GBMC’s Comprehensive Obesity Management Program (COMP). It’s a decision he wishes he had made sooner. “I weighed over 300 pounds,” Neal remembers. Like so many people, he tried nearly everything to lose weight, from fad diets to weight loss medication. “I would see results for a little while, but the programs I did were expensive and unsustainable,” he says. A dedicated employee in a local Wegman’s produce department, Neal found it more and more difficult to be on his feet throughout his shift. When his primary care physician encouraged him to consider a more permanent weight loss solution in September 2022, he replied, “I’m ready.” The very next day, he scheduled a video consultation with COMP. He was serious about adhering to the diet and support regimen all COMP patients attend for six months prior to surgery. It was challenging, but he stuck with the pre-surgical program while recovering from knee surgery. And he continued to work toward his goal of weight loss surgery while his mom was hospitalized, despite the stress of being her primary caretaker and the continual worry about her condition. With the COMP team’s assistance, making the changes to his diet in the months leading up to surgery wasn’t as difficult as he expected. His dietitian, Madison, was extremely helpful as he learned to eat nutritiously instead of emotionally. When April arrived, Neal’s knee had healed, and his mother had recovered from her illness. His commitment to his own health finally paid off and he had a successful sleeve gastrectomy at GBMC. In a sleeve gastrectomy, most of the stomach is removed. The small portion of stomach that remains in the body looks like a long tube, or sleeve. It’s about the size of a banana and holds approximately 1/10th of what it could hold before. This means the patient feels full after eating significantly less food. A few months after his weight loss surgery, Neal came back to GBMC when he experienced severe symptoms from a kidney stone. “I contacted Dr. Costinett right away, just to make sure my pain wasn’t related to the sleeve gastrectomy,” he notes. “Thankfully it wasn’t, but she still came to see me in the Emergency Department, which says a lot about her compassion for people, and about how dedicated the COMP team is to their patients.” Neal is grateful to have had surgery, which has enabled him to care for his mother more easily, pursue more workouts with friends (and walks with his dog!), and to remain free of pain while at work. He feels so strongly about the benefits of weight loss surgery that he recently attended a “Meet & Greet” event held by the COMP team and shared some of his experience with others who are considering surgery themselves or supporting a loved one through it. “I really do wish I had done this sooner,” he says. “My quality of life is just so much better than I could have imagined.” If you are considering weight loss surgery and have questions, GBMC’s COMP team is happy to speak with you! Visit www.gbmc.org/weightloss to learn more about the available procedures and to make a video consultation appointment today!
In a twist that sounds straight out of a movie, Consuella Craig recently found herself in the spotlight for reasons beyond her remarkable weight loss journey. After undergoing a significant weight loss surgery at GBMC HealthCare in February 2022, Craig's new chapter took an unexpected turn toward heroism. On January 30, 2024, Craig was on her way to the University of Maryland St. Joseph’s Medical Center with her pregnant daughter. But fate had other plans, and Craig ended up delivering her granddaughter, Keilaiah, right there in the car, proving that sometimes life throws you into the deep end without warning. “There was no time to think, I just jumped into action to keep my daughter and granddaughter safe until help arrived,” Craig said. Reflecting on the link between her bariatric surgery and her heroic act, she highlighted how her improved health and mobility played a crucial role in her ability to manage the situation. "Two years ago, I couldn't have imagined doing something like this," she said. "This surgery gave me a second shot at life and look where we are now!” The day after her unexpected adventure, Craig was back at GBMC, not for medical reasons, but to celebrate her successful weight loss journey with a photo shoot. She credits her surgery, performed by Shauna Costinett, MD, FACS, with not only enhancing her quality of life but also enabling her to be there for her family in ways she never thought possible. “It’s funny, one of my inspirations for moving forward with surgical weight loss was my granddaughter, Keilani. I wanted to be able to spend quality time with her and be a good role model for her. In a way, she helped motivate me to reach for a new life, which included being able to help her little sister into the world.” Craig's life post-surgery is a testament to the positive changes that can come from such medical interventions. Freed from the need for a CPAP machine for sleep apnea and blood pressure medication, her energy levels have skyrocketed. Craig, who works as an assistant principal, now enjoys an active lifestyle, participating in sports and running, showing the benefits of her surgery extend far beyond weight loss. Craig is not just celebrating her health; she's enjoying every moment with her family, including her granddaughters, Keilaiah and Keilani. Like so many successful weight loss patients, Craig’s story is about gaining a fuller, more vibrant life and the ability to face whatever comes with courage and resilience.
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/
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.
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.
“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.
