Elizabeth Smedley
As a cancer survivor who is here today only because of the excellent care I received during two treatment periods, I was concerned that the story on the proposed new cancer center was slanted only toward Lancaster General Hospital and its plans for expansion into cancer treatment in the community.
Lancaster General is a first-class hospital, but what Lancastrians must realize is that outstanding medical care can be given in other venues administered, I might add, by world recognized medical oncologists with a great deal of expertise at hand.
Presently, we are blessed with an outstanding medical oncology center here in Lancaster County.
Dr. Peter DeGreen has been treating cancer patients for over 30 years in our community. He is only too happy to refer to university centers, if needed (and did so with my second cancer diagnosis), and he consults with his contacts from around the United States.
The Lancaster Cancer Center currently has five board-certified medical oncologists on staff, all of whom show a concern for the emotional, as well as medical, needs of their patients.
For years, the Lancaster Cancer Center has had The Healing Journey, a non-profit that presents programs, both supportive and educational, for cancer survivors and their families that complements the meticulous medical care.
The Center has many clinical trials available not seen elsewhere, even in Pennsylvania, such as the recently added lung cancer trial instituted by Dr. Tracy DeGreen.
The navigators, lovely treatment areas and educational resources mentioned in the article are all superb ideas. Guess what, though, this is all available right now at The Lancaster Cancer Center in Greenfield Park.
Thank you, staff of LCC, for giving me my life and my positive attitude.
James Schneider
"When you have people, like at LCC, they have a way of making the road less bumpy, we would be lost without them." "Just got results from my latest "pet" scan and MRI, and it was all good, now we watch this thing and hopefully take a long break from chemo, last time was five and half months, glad I have the Dr. I do, he has been there for me both as a Dr. and as a person, that is something that in these times is very hard to find..."
"Just got results from my latest "pet" scan and MRI, and it was all good, now we watch this thing and hopefully take a long break from chemo, last time was five and half months, glad I have the Dr. I do, he has been there for me both as a Dr. and as a person, that is something that in these times is very hard to find..."
"If you have to be in this situation LCC is the place to be for the caring and sharing and most of all the people. There are none better, we are all blessed to have these professionals in our lives."
"Being a patient at LCC, you are so right, everyone has got to be the best there is, it is a place of safe haven."
At picnic, cancer survivors cite faith, family
Jess Swinehart doesn't have to look far to find a reason for living.
On Saturday, her reason was right in front of her in the form of three growing boys, happily eating barbecue.
"My sons and my husband keep me going. I have to stay alive for them," said Swinehart, of Lancaster, who is battling several different kinds of cancer throughout her body.
Cancer survivors and their families gathered at the 11th Lancaster Cancer Center's family picnic under a pavilion at Greenfield Corporate Center.
"We're here to celebrate life and the lives of those that you love," said Dr. Peter DeGreen, a member of the physician team who treats many of the cancer survivors at the picnic.
"Cancer is a family disease," added DeGreen's wife, Charlotte. "Today is not only for patients but for their families as well."
Along with patients and their families were nurses, doctors and volunteers, all enjoying the clear September day. Children were running around, eating ice cream, getting their faces painted and hitting piñatas.
Watching the fun was Dora McAlpin, a patient at the center for 24 years. Diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 55, McAlpin just celebrated 60 years of marriage to her husband, Bob, who was at the picnic with her.
"You have to have faith," said McAlpin, of Millersville. "When you get something like cancer, you either fall apart or you say 'Lord, it's in your hands.' "
She credits the center and her doctor with helping her make the best of the situation. "He [DeGreen] makes you feel like you're going to get through this."
"That and faith," McAlpin said. "You simply have to have something to hold onto."
McAlpin is enjoying retirement with her family, which includes two daughters, several grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Mindy DeGreen, the doctor's daughter-in-law, said the center tries to involve families as much as possible and keep a "community atmosphere," one that "isn't hospitallike."
"It's homelike," DeGreen said of the center, where she is a patient advocate.
"Everyone understands what's happening, and we're there not only on a medical side but an emotional side as well."
DeGreen said this picnic was the biggest one the Cancer Center has hosted, with about 300 people attending.
"I know almost everyone here," said DeGreen, laughing. "That's the great thing about the center — you're not just a number."
The center tries to figure out the best way to help patients and families deal with cancer. "It's about family values," DeGreen said. "We're a lucky group. The people in the center are here because of their families and because they want to live."
Swinehart and her husband, John, were finishing up their watermelon, as their sons stood close by.
"I'm still here because the good Lord keeps you around for as long as you're supposed to be here. You just don't ever give up," Swinehart said, looking around at all the people struggling through life just like her.
"You put your best foot forward. Tomorrow is always another day."
Mandy Stoltzfus is a Sunday News staff writer. E-mail her at mstoltzfus@lnpnews.com.
Read more: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/288359#ixzz1A7Ji7XPz