Testimonials at Cancer Institute at Alexian Brothers Hospital Network
Life After Cancer - Hodgkin's Disease
By JoAnn Armenta
At 21 years old the last thing you expect to hear from your doctor is that you have an advanced form of cancer. But in 1995 there I was being told that I have Hodgkin’s disease, a cancer of the lymph nodes. My tumor was explained to me as the size of a deflated basketball, occupying most of my chest cavity, wrapping around my heart and spine and stretching up to the base of my brain. Thankfully, after 16 treatments of aggressive chemotherapy, daily radiation for 8 weeks and a few surgeries later, I went into full remission without re-occurrence. It was a very long year.
After going through something like that you think you’ve been through the most traumatic experience you will have to endure. But 7 years later, I went through what in my opinion was something even worse. My father at the age of only 50 was diagnosed with a rare type of Thyroid Cancer which took his life after a very short illness.
To me, being the caregiver and the helpless feeling you have while watching cancer overtake someone you love was far more difficult then having had cancer myself.
When my father got sick, we knew exactly where to turn for the best possible care that comes with tender and compassionate service, the Alexian Brothers Hospital Network. During my fathers treatment I was again reuniting with many of the same people who treated me. The same doctors, nurses and countless staff members who were so kind to me during my treatment.
Some time after my fathers passing, I heard about the Patient and Family Advisory Committee at The Cancer Institute at Alexian Brothers. I knew this was my opportunity to give a little back. Survivors, caregivers, medical staff as well as administrative staff who have a voice and apply their own experiences to implement change, develop programs and have input in the quality of cancer care available to patients. An entire group of people who have ‘been there’ all working together to improve the patients experience.
I certainly want to thank all those involved with the treatment my father and I received. Also, as the current Co-chair of the Advisory Committee I want to thank Alexian Brothers and St. Alexius Medical Centers and its staff for the true commitment it has in listening to its patients and striving to improve service for all future cancer patients.
