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Coordinated care eases patient experiences
From Spotlight on Health Aug./Sept. 2006
People of Morrison County know her as the Vanna White of the animal world.
Since 1998, Sue Anfinson-Hudson has been taping “Shelter Tours,” a local access TV show for the Morrison County Animal Humane Society.
Sue’s positive, fun-loving attitude has rubbed off in the waiting room at Coborn Cancer Center, where she has been receiving treatment since September 2005 after an abnormal mammogram.
“The cancer was the size of a pencil tip,” said Sue of Little Falls. “It couldn’t have been felt or detected without a mammogram.”
Sue then began her journey through the various services offered at Coborn Cancer Center -- starting with surgery to remove the cancer.
“After the surgery, without further preventive cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy and radiation, there would be a 28 percent chance of recurrence,” said Medical Oncologist Hani Al-Khatib, M.D., who manages Sue’s disease and treatment in collaboration with other doctors. |
Sue Anfinson-Hudson tapes a weekly
local access show called “Shelter Tours.”
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Sue opted for chemotherapy and radiation. She received chemotherapy once every three weeks for 12 weeks, followed by radiation treatments five days a week for a total of 33 treatments.
“I thought, ‘I’m too young to take the chance of recurrence,’” said Sue, who now only has a 3 percent chance of recurrence.
“Our investment in advanced technology enabled us to provide Sue with effective breast-conserving therapy eliminating the need for mastectomy,” said Radiation Oncologist Barbi Kaplan-Frenkel, D.O. “She received just over six weeks of radiation -- it’s extremely rewarding to be able to offer the most advanced forms of therapy to our patients.”
As an accredited, comprehensive community cancer program, Coborn Cancer Center coordinates multiple appointments for patients and collaborates with their primary care physicians.
“Often times, patients like Sue may need the full scope of clinical treatment services -- all of which we provide,” said Al-Khatib. “This allows patients to stay close to home feeling assured they are receiving the best care possible.”
“I’ve never been surrounded by so many caring, happy people,” said Sue, referring to the staff at Coborn Cancer Center. “The care I received was exceptional.”
Learn more about Coborn Cancer Center.
Complementary therapy for patients
- Volunteer musicians play calming music in the waiting area throughout the week.
- Volunteer massage therapists provide hand and shoulder
massages.
- Volunteers take time to talk with patients undergoing
chemotherapy.
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