Judy's Story

Compared to the first time she walked through the Hall-Perrine Cancer Center doors three years ago, Judy has now found the Cancer Center to be like a second home, where her caretakers are more like friends and family.

What began as a cough and shortness of breath for Judy resulted in metastatic lung cancer.

“I can’t say one bad thing about Mercy; every single person was so kind and professional,” Judy said. “Many of the nurses that were treating me had cancer previously, so they were understanding and empathetic.”

In fact, Judy’s niece Jodie, who is an oncology nurse at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center, had lung cancer and encouraged Judy to receive care at the Cancer Center. Like Jodie, Judy also had Deb Wilbur, MD, as her medical oncologist/hematologist. Jodie helped Judy better understand what to expect, as well as serve as a familiar face during her cancer journey.

Cardiovascular Surgeon, C.C. Lee, MD, FACS, surgically removed the cancerous mass on one of Judy’s lungs. Then, she received chemotherapy.

Unfortunately, the cancer was persistent and spread to other areas of her body. Radiation Oncologist, Michael Marquardt, MD, MPH, designed radiation treatment plans to target the different sites of active disease and worked with Dr. Wilbur to coordinate radiation with her systemic therapy.

Throughout the course of a year, Judy had radiation to seven different areas of disease. She successfully completed treatment to her lung, adrenal, spleen, liver and brain. She now takes a medication that Dr. Wilbur prescribed to proactively treat her specific cancer.

“Every single doctor, nurse, and person was wonderful, kind and professional,” Judy said.

After this photo was taken, Judy told Dr. Wilbur how thankful she was for her and gave her a hug, which moved them both to happy tears.