Sheila Plummer
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My cancer started as a pimple on the back of my right shoulder. There was nothing but this pimple, not a pre-existing mole or freckly blemish and it never itched. My family doctor told me it was probably scar tissue and not to worry. It didn’t get bigger, but it never went away and one day six weeks after I noticed it I put lotion on after a bath and the area stung, like lemon juice in a cut. No inflammation or redness but I still made an appointment to biopsy it. My doctor still thought it unnecessary, but one week later her shock became my reality. The site was initially small and caught early with a “wide excision” – a 0.83 on the Bristol scale, Stage 1. Through a node dissection, I found out I also (atypically) had melanoma in one lymph node and that put me at Stage III with a prognosis of 5 years without treatment.
After I was diagnosed in January 1999, I had 2 surgeries and was recuperating at my folks in Winona, KS, trying to decide what to do and where to go next. A nearby hospital wanted me to take a year’s worth of chemo and I did not want anything to do with it. My mother’s cousin happened to stop by with her husband, on their way home from follow up appointments at CTCA’s hospital in Tulsa. She had had breast cancer and he, prostate cancer. They both had nothing but good to say about CTCA and encouraged me to call the 800 number. I was very depressed, my options were few, so what did I have to lose? I gathered all my strength and made the call.
Pattie, an Oncology Information Specialist, asked some questions about my diagnosis, treatment and insurance and they took it from there. All I had to do was send my records to Tulsa. Everything from insurance to transportation, to scheduling my appointment with an oncologist was handled. A guest room was waiting for me when I arrived at the hospital, and many other services were provided to make my stay comfortable. I traveled alone as my family could not leave the cattle and children for that length of time. I soon found I was NOT alone and that this was a hospital where faith and prayer abound, even the doctors no less!
When I met with my oncologist, Dr. Brunk, I discovered that “I” was part of the medical team. I even had a care manager assigned to help with medical problems that arose in or out of the hospital. Dr. Brunk felt that I was a very good candidate for a year’s worth of interferon treatment. So on May 5, 1999, I set off on a journey that made me very ill. But with Dr. Brunk as the head of my team, I went home and my family doctor consulted with Dr. Brunk to continue the treatment, five days a week (IV push) for the first month and 3 times a week (injections) for the rest of the year. I came back to Tulsa every three months. I never missed a dose come rain, snow, shine, birthday or holiday. Possible side effects are heart, liver or renal damage – thus the alternative treatments CTCA offers came to the rescue.
The MOST interesting and wonderful thing about CTCA is that they offer “alternative” treatments and the holistic approach. The Naturopathic Departments kept me “physically” going through this time. CTCA offers free classes focusing on mind-body medicine, nutrition, supplements, naturopathy, humor, physical therapy and acupuncture. Within the hospital there are massage therapy and pain management services, the Nutrition Shoppe with reasonable prices, and the TLC Salon, which offers hair care with ideas and instructions in scarves, hats and wigs. The cafeteria has wonderfully tasty menus of healthy food each day, including many organic items. There is also a retail pharmacy, which has been very beneficial. This is a wonderful hospital that has taught me so much in all areas where I can help fight the cancer with my mind, body, relaxation, food, supplements and let the doctors do the medical, surgical and chemo part.
Melanoma is extremely resistant to all kinds of chemo, but I do what I have to do, stay positive, fight and claim healing from the Lord. I am shooting for many more years of sound mind, healthy body and especially ornery spirit. I am a Christian and love my Lord dearly. Had it not been for Him being in my life at the time of the diagnosis, I couldn’t have come through it all.
I recommend CTCA without hesitation and am so thankful I found out about them in the nick of time. Their approach to consider a patient’s familiar home and lifestyle us a vital part to the patient’s recovery. They try to incorporate into the treatment not only what the diagnosis dictates, but what will keep the patient’s morale, strength, courage and faith.
I am back to enjoying my hobbies of grandchildren, nieces and nephews, going down slippery slides, walking in the rain, smelling and viewing flowers, bees and birds in my garden. Helping family, journaling, walking, taking naps. Drawing, painting and reading many books. I have learned to take care of myself and also attend church to give glory to God for sparing me.