Speaker: Linda
Linda: cancer, I needed help. And I needed to gain some assurance that there are things that I can do on my own that can contribute to my survival.
Could you describe how Survivor Healthcare has helped improve your quality of life?
Linda: Hi, my name is Linda. I learned I had lung cancer on my eighty-third birthday. Not the gift I had expected. I quickly learned that cancer is not only an illness, it is an industry with a fast moving machine that I felt shuffled into. Over the years I have known people with cancer. Some survived and some did not. Since longevity with the ability to contribute is my overall goal I was eager to learn what I could do to influence my outcome. I began by asking, is there a cancer protective diet? Are there exercises that I should be doing? What about stress management? How would cancer comport with the other illnesses that I had? I asked, I waited, I asked, I waited, I waited. Finally, I turned to AI. Now AI was helpful, but it is also deceptive insufficient and conflicting. And I received a call from my nurse practitioner at St. Mark's. Would I like to participate with a telehealth organization that is focused on cancer survival, insurance covered? Oh yes, sign me up. And we started. Before coming to Survivor Healthcare, I had lost quite a bit of weight. To have a cancer dietitian help me with my meal planning, educate me about better nutrition - it was exactly what I needed. Together we created a program that was a fit for me. I had an occupational therapist and I was concerned because I am exercise limited because of a long time illness, but together she and I worked out exercises that I could do, and I could see my improvement as we worked together. Life goes on in parallel with cancer. For me, most of it has been positive, some challenging, but some has even overshadowed cancer. My mental health provider is a compassionate listener with a steadying voice with suggestions that I can apply. Down the road now a few months, I can attest to the benefit that I've had from these wonderful dear practitioners. My only regret is that I was not connected to Survivor Healthcare at the time I was diagnosed. When I first realized I didn't understand cancer, I needed help. And I needed to gain some assurance that there are things that I can do on my own that can contribute to my survival. What was so exceptional from the beginning is that each practitioner asked me what I wanted from them, what I needed from them. They took my experience, my concerns, my questions into account in building my personal program. I'm so, so grateful for each of them. And my appreciation extends to the administrative staff as well. Without hesitation, I recommend Survivor Healthcare to any cancer patient. Because you will be heard, you will be cared for and supported in your health journey.
