“Every time I go in, my doctors make me feel like I’m the only person that matters”

I am someone who doesn’t go to the doctor very often – just never thought I needed to. Around Christmas last year, I was going about my normal routine on a Saturday night and went to unplug the Christmas tree lights before bed and my ribs felt out of place. It was very painful. The next day I decided I needed to go to the Bronson Battle Creek Hospital emergency room to see what was wrong. I got x-rays and they saw that I had pulled my muscle near my ribs. Unfortunately, they also found a spot of cancer in my right lung AND an aneurysm next to my kidney.  It is scary to think I would have never known I had these serious issues for who knows how long if I hadn’t injured myself simply bending over wrong one night.

Bronson doctors became my new friends this year. I began meeting with Dr. Cox, Susan Smith, NP, and Dr. Webb regularly. We determined four rounds of chemotherapy and thirty rounds of radiation would be the best treatment plan for my lung cancer.

As odd as it sounds, it’s been an enjoyable experience going into the cancer center because all of the staff members are great – the front desk gals, check-in staff and my nurses. They are really good at keeping your spirits up! Every time I go in, my doctors make me feel like I’m the only person that matters. They sit with me as long as I need, and they go over all the details about what we’re doing. I always leave feeling very reassured that we are on the right track to kick this cancer’s butt!

I saw a Bronson vascular surgeon about my aneurysm and they referred me to U of M to have surgery. I really appreciated their knowledge and honesty. Everyone has been great.

I’m all done with radiation now but am still going in for chemotherapy. I’m happy to say that I’ve been able to continue going to the lake with my kids and grandkids and set up at local art fairs with my grapevine wreaths and florals.