Peggy has been a caregiver all her life – as a wife, as a mother, and as a certified nursing assistant. Last year, she began to experience nausea and her body felt itchy. Working in the medical field for 32 years, Peggy knew something was wrong. She feared her role of a caregiver was in jeopardy.
She made an appointment with her primary care physician who immediately scheduled an ultrasound. The results showed a mass on her pancreas. A follow-up CT scan confirmed that a tumor had wrapped around the bile duct, cutting-off her digestive track. Peggy was admitted to The Reading Hospital where further tests confirmed she had cancer.
Dr. Terrence Cescon, Medical Oncologist and a Registered Protocol Nurse of the McGlinn Family Regional Cancer Center at The Reading Hospital informed Peggy she was eligible to participate in a clinical trial. Peggy learned this cutting-edge study was focused on understanding the effectiveness of receiving smaller doses of radiation for an extended period of time. In addition, Peggy would receive chemotherapy, a standard protocol for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. After learning more about the trial, Peggy decided to participate. “I had 100% confidence in The Reading Hospital.”
In addition to her supportive family, Peggy discovered a confidant and friend in her protocol nurse. She accompanied Peggy to all her appointments to help monitor her progress, answered all her questions, and coordinated her treatment schedule. When Peggy had her first chemotherapy treatment, her protocol nurse familiarized her with the process and introduced her to the nurses in the Infusion Center.
During her care, Peggy remained positive and optimistic. She always felt the staff “treated me as if I am someone special.” From the valets that said hello to her by name to the nurses in the Infusion Center, Peggy felt everyone went the extra mile, not only for her but also for her family.
Now, back to her life of caring for her patients and her family, Peggy asserts, “I would absolutely tell anyone to go to Reading. There is no point in traveling to Philly if I have access to great doctors and the same treatments.”
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