It’s been two years since 60-year-old New Castle, Ind. resident Terry Lee was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Angie, his wife of 28 years, says the new Cancer Center has made “a world of a difference” in his treatment.
When Oncology was in the basement of Hancock Regional Hospital, she had to go upstairs to make a phone call, and there wasn’t a lot of privacy. “Now we have WI-FI, Terry can be on the iPad while getting treatment, and we have a beautiful view. That sunshine makes every difference in your attitude.”
They love the nursing staff even more. “It takes a very special person to do what those ladies do,” said Terry Lee. “They’re friendly, they call and check up on you, and make sure you’re doing OK.”
One of the nurses was at Bob Evans when she got a call from Terry in need of medication on a Sunday morning. “I had my script within an hour,” he said.
“The new facility is absolutely gorgeous. It’s relaxed, refreshed and really homey,” said Lee. “That’s a good thing for anyone going through cancer. Anything positive helps a patient move forward, even down to the landscaping. It takes your mind off of it.”
The hospital staff worked with Lee to schedule treatment around his work days.
“Their staff is wonderful,” he said. “Sherri and Linda came in with me when I first met with Dr. Schulz and took notes. It was nice to have someone explain it to you. They said if I needed to talk, I could call them, and ‘if you don’t feel right, call us.’ They make you feel so welcome.”
“At times, I was scared. I asked the doctor, ‘Will I really get out of this hospital alive?’ They came to me and eased the stress. Dr. Schulz has a tremendous bedside manner. They were all courteous and friendly. If you have to go through cancer, that’s where you need to go.”
Debby in billing was able to find money to help cover some of Terry’s out of pocket expenses. “Cancer is a hard thing to deal with—it takes its toll,” said Lee. “I feel sorry for people who don’t have good insurance.”
Lee told the story of when the nursing staff connected him with a patient who was dying and needed a home for her dog. They knew Terry and his wife had done K9 training through 4H. He was able to assure the woman that her dog would have a home when she was gone. “It was incredibly moving. It meant so much to her—and to me.”
Terry is in remission today and continues treatment at the Cancer Center.
A Positive Attitude
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma was discovered by a CT scan in Hugh Grandison and quickly advanced all over the 74-year-old’s body.
“The staff was always optimistic about what they could do,” said Grandison. “They were all positive, which affected me.”
The basement didn’t bother the Knightstown resident, but there wasn’t much privacy, he said. “The new facility is beautiful and has really raised our spirits. It was uplifting to me.”
His wife took advantage of the outdoor patio to step away from the stress when needed. “I can’t say enough about the nurses and my experience,” he added. “I couldn’t ask for any better care.”
Hugh is cancer-free today.
“We’re here for everybody, not just those who are being treated,” explains Linda Zerr, director, Sue Ann Wortman Cancer Center. “We truly are a community resource for cancer support and information.”
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