#imwellbecause cancer testimonials

2. UMass Memorial saved my life twice! First in 2011, after I
sustained life threatening injuries in a cycling crash. The
trauma team nursed me back to health and I came back
to have my strongest cycling season ever.
In October 2013, just months after competing in my first
half ironman, I was diagnosed with leukemia. I was
admitted for immediate treatment and spent the entire
month in the hospital. The hematology /oncology
department saved my life. I endured six rounds of
chemotherapy. The doctors, physician assistants and
nursing staff were all incredible, and I can't thank them
enough for all they have done for me!!
-- Karen Luchini
UMass Memorial saved my life twice!

3. In January 1994 (62 years), I was diagnosed
with acute myeloid leukemia and was given a
5 percent chance of recovering. My
physician, Dr. Rhena Shopnick, is credited for
me living to 82 years old and still 'kicking.'
-- Lloyd Perreault
82 Years Old and Still Kicking

4. UMass Memorial has been
taking care of me and my
family for the past 32 years:
My sister's diabetes, my
Crohn’s disease and brain
cancer, and my mom's
uterine cancer. Thank you to
the doctors and nurses of
UMass Memorial!
-- Dave McGrath
…taking care of me and my family for the past
32 years

5. I am cancer free…
In October 2014, both Dr. Christine Bielick and Dr. Fisher of the pulmonary
department convinced me to go and see Dr. Carl Uy (for a lung cancer
diagnosis). Upon having the PET scan done … I had lung surgery with a
robot. After a couple of visits to Dr Uy and his nurse practitioner, Maggie
Powers, I am cancer free. I love my doctors for saving my life. I really do.
Along with my nurse practitioners and the 3 West staff, I was able to heal
and go home in three days instead of five. They treated my family and
friends like they were royalty. I want credits to also go to Dr. Chau, Dr.
Harroll and Dr. Graeber - fantastic doctors. One last thanks goes out to the
receptionist at Dr. Uy's and Dr. Bielick's office for being so patient with me.
Did I mention that I love my doctors at UMass Memorial and thank God for
prayers and fantastic staff?
-- Darlene Renaud

6. I am well today. In 2009, I was diagnosed with late stage colon cancer
that had penetrated the wall of the colon into my abdomen. It was all
good until my mammogram in the spring of 2014 - the diagnosis of
early stage breast cancer. More surgery to remove the cancer, six
weeks of radiation, and follow up with my oncologist. I am well today
because of the excellent care I received from the doctors, nurses, and
staff at UMass Memorial.
-- Carol Conrad
I am well today

7. In August 2012, I had a life changing surgery,
gastric bypass by Dr Czerniach. (He) saved my life
in a different way than I ever thought . When I
was losing weight, I found a lump on my left
breast, which turned out to be stage 2 triple
negative her/2 invasive ductal carcinoma. I don't
think I would have ever found the lump if I hadn't
lost that weight so I was saved not once but twice.
Dr. Quinlan gave me my options and I went the
radical route. Double mastectomy with 17 Lymph
nodes removed, chemo and radiation! I am alive
thanks to a wonderful team of doctor and nurses.
How do I thank someone for saving my life. Thank
you all!
-- Andrea Burke
I am alive thanks to a wonderful team…

8. In August 2006, I discovered a lump in my left breast. My primary care doctor put me in contact
with what I feel is the greatest team of physicians I personally want on my side. After (I) heard
the dreaded word ‘cancer,’ my team came up with the battle plan of attack, and on October 13,
2006, I underwent surgery to remove the lump and have a lymph node dissection brilliantly
performed by Dr. Robert Quinlin. The next plan was chemotherapy where I met Dr. Kathryn
Edmiston. After 8 treatments of chemo I made my way to Dr. Cicchetti for radiation. I had been
cancer-free for 8 years when a PET scan was showing a spot on the pelvis which turned out to be
cancer. I also had 3 spots on my spine. Again I was under the care of Dr. Cicchetti and Dr.
Edmiston. I am happy to say the cancer has been eradicated from my pelvis. I am here to say I
have the best team I could have ever imagined. They never hesitate to answer the smallest of
questions I might have. Dr. Edmiston and Dr. Cicchetti you are the best!
-- Linda White
…the greatest team of physicians I personally
want on my side

9. I'm well today because of the life saving care I received at UMass
Memorial. In August 2012, I was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian
cancer. My wonderful surgeons were Dr. Susan Zweizig and Dr.
Laura Lambert. Three weeks later, I started 4 1/2 months of
chemotherapy. It certainly wasn't an easy time for my family and I,
but the amazing cancer center staff was always there for us. I'm
now cancer free after 2 1/2 years and so grateful that I was able to
have my care here.
--Sheila Burque
54b92e729641f-
2014walkpicture.JPG
…the amazing cancer
center staff was always
there for us

10. In 2007, I found a small lump in my left breast. I went to see my gyn,
Dr. Brenda Neary. She immediately set up a biopsy for that afternoon.
She recognized the signs of inflammatory breast cancer. I call her my
life saver!! During research, I found that most doctors believe that it is
a breast infection and give antibiotics to their patient. Most of those
women pass away within six months. After family meetings with my
cancer team, I underwent 18 weeks of chemo, a double mastectomy
and 38 radiation treatments at UMass Memorial Medical Center.
Except for my diabetes and a heart attack in 2013 (a medical stent was
put in place), I really feel good! I am 67-years-old and glad to be alive.
I attribute it to the care I received from Dr. Neary and my oncology
team headed by Dr. Kathy Edmiston.
-- Donna Towner
I am 67-years-old and glad to be alive

11. I went for my yearly physical with my primary doctor, Mary Hawthorne. I
mention I had been itchy. She checked my stomach and felt something was
enlarged. A week later she called to say I needed to see an oncologist
immediately as my white count was extremely elevated. I saw Dr. Doreen
Brettler at the Cancer Center at UMass Memorial who did a bone marrow
biopsy and found I had a rare for of leukemia CMML. I had three months of
chemo at UMass Memorial and then (had) a stem cell transplant on
November 20, 2013. My sister was a match. Not only am I well because of
Dr. Hawthorne, but I am alive and leukemia free.
-- Barbara White
…alive and leukemia free

12. The team of physicians at UMass Memorial have
surpassed our expectations in every way! When
my husband was diagnosed with a glioblastoma,
we had planned to do everything in our power to
fight this awful disease. After talking with Dr.
Richard Moser, we knew we could stay right here
'at home' and be treated for this horrible disease.
Dr. Moser was amazing and his surgical skills clearly
helped to save his life. The physicians who care for
him, his PCP Steve Erban; Radiation Oncologist T.J.
FitzGerald; Medical Oncologist William Walsh;
Pulmonologist Richard Irwin; Critical Care Specialist
Wiley Hall, and the many, many nurses and care
givers who have coordinated to deliver the best
care possible have helped to keep him here to see
his kids grow! We are truly 'well' because of all that
UMass Memorial has provided to us over these
past 8 years.
-- Sandy Taubert
…surpassed our expectations in every way!

13. How do you thank somebody for saving your life? I don't know any adequate way, but the
following is an effort to express my sincere and lasting gratitude to the group of doctors and
other medical professionals who saved me from almost certain death. (After a clinical trial
and other treatment methods), I was sent to the Simonds-Sinon Regional Cancer Center in
Fitchburg, MA (for radiation treatment of prostate cancer). I was fortunate to have Dr.
Thomas J. FitzGerald of UMass Memorial in charge of my treatment. He is a true expert in this
area. Fortunately, some really special equipment was available at Simonds-Sinon. They had a
new state-of-the-art robotic positron generator. After the radiation was completed, my PSA
dropped. The bottom line is that I am convinced that the people whom I have mentioned and
their assistants have saved my life, and I will always be grateful for that.
-- Richard Townsend
How do you thank somebody
for saving your life?

14. UMass Memorial Radiology found my teeny tiny breast cancer
and I had surgery and radiation. Thanks to early detection at
UMass Memorial and being lucky that it was the 'good' kind of
cancer, I will beat this!
-- Elizabeth Garamy
I will beat this!

15. … A fine surgeon and great oncologist at
UMass Memorial gave me 26 years of life
after a diagnosis of lung cancer.
-- Dolores Courtemanche