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The H. Filmore Mabry Center for Cancer Care at the Regional Medical Center is home to an intensity-modulated collimator and other high-technology equipment in its continued fight against cancer, but it is the staff's compassionate, personal touch in care that is equally noteworthy, patients say.
The Mabry Cancer Center, the number one cancer site in its service region, is also the charitable beneficiary of the 14th annual RMC Foundation Gala, set for Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009, at The Cinema in Orangeburg.
'I enjoyed coming here'
It took Holly Hill resident Betty J. Riley a month to go to the Regional Medical Center after finding a lump in her breast in 2006. She was in denial and was equally stunned after her breast cancer was positively confirmed.
"I expected it just to be a cyst that was to be removed and I go home. I never accepted the fact that it could be cancer," said Riley, a 43-year-old mother of three who said she knew she had to take immediate action in order to remain around to take care of them.
She needed to find a safe haven of care and prepared herself for what was to be a radical mastectomy of her right breast. The cancer had also reach two lymph nodes and thrust her into a treatment regimen that included both chemotherapy and radiation.
She completed 16 rounds of biweekly chemotherapy treatments and 28 daily rounds of radiation. Now in remission, Riley recalls the impact the Mabry Cancer Center had on strengthening her, both physically and mentally.
"I enjoyed coming here. I didn't feel isolated," said Riley, who would find herself emotionally drained at times, especially when she began to develop mouth sores, saw her nails separating and had to watch her hair wash down the drain during showers. "I made life-long friends, and the staff members actually became my family. That makes a difference in your recovery. It was a fight, but I was still able to work."
Riley's lack of health insurance did little to comfort her, she said. Then Mabry Cancer Center Director Theresa Chandler told her about the RMC Foundation, which administers a charity program for patients who qualify financially.
"She talked about the foundation and that I may be eligible for a certain type of Medicaid that would help cover the treatments just for that purpose," Riley said. "She got the ball rolling. I'm grateful for the foundation."
Riley said she is also grateful she didn't wait any longer to seek treatment for what turned out to be cancer.
"You can't say it'll never happen to you," she said. "Just be mindful of the importance of getting checked and doing a self-examination. I've enjoyed coming to the cancer center, but now, I've also made myself available for anyone that is just starting out with cancer and needs someone to talk to."
'They would make you smile'
Norway resident Kim E. Rush is also in remission from breast cancer. It was during a breast self-exam that she found a lump.
Rush's cancer was confirmed two days after a biopsy and ultrasound. She had a choice between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy. She chose a lumpectomy and was put on chemotherapy before a reincision was made.
"That's when they realized that the chemotherapy had left unclear margins. That's when I decided that a mastectomy was the best way to go because I didn't want to take any chance of it spreading," Rush said. "So, we did eight rounds of chemotherapy. I did not have to have radiation because my lymph nodes were not positive for cancer."
While she said treatment at the cancer center was not fun, Rush said it wasn't as bad as it could have been.
"The nurses and doctors here, as well as the hospital, were just unbelievable," she said. "Teresa Chandler was the nurse navigator at the breast cancer at the time. She was very instrumental because I didn't have health insurance."
Rush, 42, said she was grateful for finding out about a Medicaid program for which she qualified.
"It was a huge help," she said. "Theresa walked me through every step of the way. Had I not found my lump when I did, I really am afraid to think that it could have spread, even though it wasn't a very aggressive form of cancer.
"I can't emphasize how important self-breast exams are and how women should know their bodies and not be afraid to have mammograms. Build a rapport with your physicians," Rush said, added that she appreciated the personal touch she was given while receiving treatment at the cancer center.
"If you came in and had a four-hour chemo treatment ahead of you, they did everything in their power to make sure you were comfortable and taken care of. They would make you smile," Rush said. "You felt better before you left."
'The focus is definitely on you'
Orangeburg resident Wyleek Cummings, 36, found out he had Hodgkin's lymphoma in a most peculiar way -- while taking a sip from a drink at Burger King.
"It felt like I was drinking a tall, cold glass of razors," he said. "My throat was in excruciating pain."
A lump began to rapidly grow on his neck before a local throat specialist performed a biopsy and confirmed that it was cancer.
Once at the Mabry Cancer Center for treatment, Cummings said Dr. Chris Brunson's professionalism and helpfulness gave him the support he needed to face aggressive chemotherapy treatments. He began treatment in February and is now in his last stages of treatment at the cancer center.
"I've come to know the entire staff. I feel like I'm a star. The focus is definitely on you. It only served to hold up my attitude about treatment," Cummings said. "I didn't have health insurance, and I didn't know anything about chemotherapy."
He said it was particularly comforting to have two nurses who had fought their own battles with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
"If I had gone anywhere else, I don't necessarily think that the relationships that I've established here would have been made. I intend to definitely give back with some projects of my own," said Cummings, who said he wants to plan a fashion show extravaganza where cancer survivors and others can "share stories around dinner and entertainment."
The father of three, who is also president of the Henderson-Davis Theatre on the campus of South Carolina State University, said the cancer center staff were "great motivators" in his battle with cancer. It is a battle that he intends to win.
"Negativity doesn't benefit you much. I look forward beyond the sickness," he said.
Riley said she, Rush and Cummings are beacons of hope for the entire community.
"Anyone who has survived anything and can still smile, walk and hold their head up is a beacon. I'm proud to say that," she said.
T&D Staff Writer Dionne Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5534. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.
RMC Foundation Gala
The 14th annual Regional Medical Center Foundation Gala, "A Mardi Gras Ball," will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009, at The Cinema in Orangeburg.
Chaired by Dr. and Mrs. Michael Hay and Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Holleman, the event will feature food, decorations and music of New Orleans and the Gulf South. Decorations are being designed by Mike and Karen Tourville, who will dress the inside of The Cinema like New Orleans' Bourbon Street, and invitations are being designed by local artist Becky Wienges. Zeus Industrial Products will continue as the event's presenting sponsor.
The 2009 Gala will benefit RMC's Mabry Cancer Center. Music and dancing will be provided by the Rock Hill-Charlotte area band Flashback.
For more information or to be added to the invitation list, call RMC Foundation Executive Director Mac Burton at 803-395-2321.