Kristin's Cancer Journey: Fall 2023

September 2023 Dear friend, Do you remember what life was like in March 2020?

Schools were closed. Restaurants – closed. Hospitals didn’t have enough masks. A vaccine didn’t exist. COVID-19 was spreading like wildfire across the United States.

Life felt uncertain, isolating and scary. Many of us didn’t want to leave the safety of our own home.

Then imagine receiving a life-altering cancer diagnosis on top of it all.

That’s what happened to Kristin in March of 2020.

After experiencing shoulder pain, Kristin went to the chiropractor for an adjustment. The doctor noticed her lymph nodes were hard and suggested she needed to see her primary doctor.

After several tests and scans, Kristin was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She would need to start chemotherapy right away and during those treatments would have to stay inpatient at the hospital. Thanks to the generosity of donors, Kristin wasn’t alone.

In a time that should have been scary and isolating, Kristin found support in her Oncology Navigator, Angela.

“Having Angela by my side gave me a sense of comfort during my treatment,” says Kristin. “She made me feel heard with my questions, calmed my fears and told me each and every day that I could do this.”

Oncology Navigators are a team of specialty trained nurses, a social worker and a financial navigator that removes barriers, answers questions and provides support to ensure patients have the best outcome possible.

Will you make a gift and bring peace of mind to patients?

Throughout her six rounds of chemotherapy treatment, Kristin spent 37 days in the John Stoddard Cancer Center inpatient unit.

Every round of treatment got harder for Kristin, both physically and mentally. Because of COVID-19, Kristin was unable to have visitors during her stays. She needed human connection to provide relief on her toughest days.

“I remember my care team being incredibly caring and compassionate to me,” says Kristin. “Even though they were busy caring for other patients, Angela and so many others took extra time to talk with me throughout the day and ask how I was doing to ease the loneliness.”

Angela not only took the time to comfort Kristin throughout her treatment, but also her husband and two children, Madilyn and Logan.

When it came to talking about her diagnosis, Kristin wanted to be transparent with her family but did not want to create fear. Angela provided resources to guide Kristin and her husband through tough conversations and scheduled a Child Life Specialist to visit Kristin while she received treatment to help her understand how to support her children.

Your gift to the Oncology Navigator program at Stoddard Cancer Center brings comfort, care and connections to patients like Kristin and her family, undergoing treatment.

This program is not paid for by insurance or billed to patients. It is only because of generous donors that this program exists. And every dollar you give —100% — goes directly to making it possible.

“The Oncology Navigator program is truly a gift to patients and families during a difficult time,” says Kristin. “Your donation is providing a service that is so unique, helpful and beneficial to patients like me and truly makes a world of difference.”

Kristin is one of many patients who uses our Oncology Navigator program every year. Your commitment today will provide comfort and strength to many patients and their families throughout every step in their cancer journey.

The amazing work our Oncology Navigators do every day can’t be done without you. I hope you choose to make a world of difference in the care they provide to patients like Kristin by supporting this vital program.

Donate online:

With gratitude,

Sarah Zeidler, FACHE Executive Director, John Stoddard Cancer Center

bit.ly/NAVIGATOR23

P.S. You can bring peace of mind to patients the Kristin. Your support of the Oncology Navigator program provides the comfort, care and connections they need to simply focus on healing. Remember, 100% of your gift − every dollar − goes directly to the Navigator program. Thank you!