PATIENT TESTIMONIES
Maria Chavez, Breast Cancer Patient / DigniCap user
In January 2022 I was diagnosed with invasive ductal breast carcinoma. My tumor grew rapidly, so I was headed to chemo faster than we could comprehend. My nurse navigator, Vicki, presented me with the idea of the DigniCap to help me keep my hair. It was important to me to keep my hair as my fiancé Rex and I had just set our wedding date for November 2022.
Having the goal in mind of keeping my hair for our wedding, made the decision to use the DigniCap scalp cooling system an easy one. After the first three chemotherapy treatments, I had very minimal hair loss. However as the treatments went on, the hair on the top back part of my scalp was starting to thin. I mentioned this to my infusion nurses and was given a smaller cap. After using the smaller cap, my hair grew back quickly.
My DigniCap heroes Kyla and Carmen were my go-to nurses and would come and help anytime they saw me. At the end of my 16-week treatment, I had a full head of hair. It is short but I never did go bald and it is growing back thick and full.
Rex and I are very thankful for the option to use the DigniCap.
Yvonne Ballon – Mother of Pediatric Leukemia Patient
Before diagnosis Sebastian started getting sick frequently since November. I noticed he had a lump on his neck the week before Thanksgiving. I immediately made an appointment with his pediatrician. She didn’t think much of it because every time we went in for a check-up he always had some sort of infection. I remember I always dreaded a new month to come because he seemed to be getting sick at least twice a month.
Finally on 2/20/22 my son couldn’t walk or eat or anything. He had a huge bump on the back part of his right leg. It was hurting him so we rushed him to the ER. The ER doctor immediately said “cancer”. My heart dropped. It seemed like the whole world was going so fast around me. They took him to the PICU and that’s when we met his wonderful oncologist, Dr. Al-Rahawan. Tests were run and the news came in that he did, in fact, have Pre B Cell A.L.L. (acute lymphoblastic leukemia).
Of course I was terrified, nervous, sick to my stomach but what needed to be done to take care of Sebastian needed to be done fast. And that’s what happened! The infection in his leg was removed and chemo began two days later. They were taking action so fast we didn’t know how to handle our feelings, which at the time didn’t matter. What mattered to us was our baby boy getting cured. After perfect care from Dr. Al-Rahawan and staff, our son started to be back to himself. He was eating, playing, walking and laughing.
Since this journey, thanks to Jehovah and Dr. Al-Rahawan, he has been doing so good and is handling his chemo so well. Like we tell him every night as he takes his oral meds and chemo “You’re a champ. You are brave. You are strong.” His braveness gives us hope and gives us strength to keep fighting. He’s our rock!
Michele Scott, Cancer Patient / Shuttle rider
I’ve been going to treatment at Joe Arrington Cancer Center since June 2020. My medical oncologist is Dr. Shalaby and my radiation oncologist is Dr. Jenkins.
The experience I want to highlight at Joe Arrington are the valet and shuttle services and the men providing those services. Robert, Tim and Matt are absolutely incredible people, just so personable and friendly. And while most people may not think about it, they are typically the first caregivers patients interact with on treatment days.
Since I live in Snyder, Texas and not Lubbock, I’ve stayed in Lubbock twice now for extended periods of time to receive my radiation treatments. As my family owns only one vehicle, I relied on Matt, Tim and Robert to pick me up for treatment and drive me back to my accommodations at the end of the day. Never once did I feel like an anonymous patient. Every single day was great talking to these guys. They feel like part of my family now.
My current diagnosis is diffuse metastatic disease, and my treatment plan includes chemotherapy to slow/stop progression of the disease as well as palliative care to reduce pain. My treatment is ongoing.
Trent Josey, ITP Patient
I have gone to Joe Arrington Cancer Research and Treatment Center for all of my treatments since I became a patient a little over a year ago. Dr. Yalamanchili has been my oncologist and Dr. Rosta is my surgeon.
I was with my primary care doctor, Dr. Evans, and each time I would go see him my platelet count would be lower. So, he sent me to see Dr. Yalamanchili. We soon discovered that I had immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). I was greeted and treated with the best possible care I could have received by the nurses and doctors.
For a while I was going to JACC a lot, many times a week. The plan in the beginning was steroids and different medications. I got lots of platelets as well but those didn’t work. Soon after we did IGIV treatment, and it would work for a little bit but wouldn’t last long. Rituxan was my next best option and the results weren’t as good as the treatment before. I soon was placed on a medication that would hold steady but wasn’t a permanent fix. I decided on choosing removal of my spleen as it was the only thing left besides chemotherapy. After a year of ups and downs and trips to Lubbock and treatments for hours, I can successfully say so far that with the help of Dr. Rosta, my surgery went great and I’m feeling better than I ever did!
One experience that has stayed with me in in the beginning of ITP is when I got a bag of platelets because mine were so low it was risky for bleeding. So I got my first platelets. I went home thinking this was going to fix everything and I was going to be back to normal. The next day I found out that my spleen had destroyed all the platelets I received the day before. I was just crushed and thought to myself that this was not going to be as easy as I had hoped. At this point I was back in the treatment room and I just broke down and cried. The nurse that was treating me that day stopped everything and got down to eye level with me. She told me that she may not know what all this feels like, but she was there to not only give me the treatment but to be there with me and to let me know that I was not alone in this situation. I just want to say a special thanks to all the doctors and staff that helped me with treatment and surgery. I don’t know what we would do without y’all!
Wayne Ware, Radiation Oncology Patient
In 2021 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent a surgery to remove it. Two years later they found some margins outside the prostate wall. I then had 40 rounds of radiation therapy with Dr. Carlos Torres and his team at Covenant Outpatient Radiation Treatment Center.
In all of my medical experiences I have never been treated more kind that what his entire staff displayed – from the front desk to the radiation therapists treating me. These fine people always greeted me with a smile and made me feel like everything was going to be alright.
I can never say enough about Dr. Torres and his entire staff for the way they made this experience a success.
Randa Sterling, Genetics Patient
My name is Randa Sterling. I am the mother of Kara Wilson and Julie Cagle. Kara was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2006. That is when we first started on this path with the Joe Arrington Cancer Center.
After Kara’s diagnosis, the doctors and genetic counselor began asking questions regarding family history of cancer. We have a very strong history of breast, ovaria and prostate cancer on my maternal side of the family. Dr. Shalaby and the genetic counselor recommended that Kara be tested to see if she had a genetic mutation of the BRCA 1 or BRCA 2. She was tested and was positive for the BRCA 2 gene mutation. I then was tested and was my other daughter, Julie Cagle and my son, Seth Sterling. Julie and I were positive, but Seth was not.
Kara successfully beat cancer and has been cancer free since late 2006! Since that time, we have been coming to JACC every six months for testing and evaluations. Dr. Shalaby and his team are great have help us as we navigate this journey together.
Julie Cagle, Genetics Patient
My name is Julie Cagle and have been a patient at Joe Arrington Cancer Research and Treatment Center since sometime in 2007. I have never had cancer, but my sister, Kara Wilson, has and that is how we started our journey.
Kara was diagnosed with breast cancer at 37 years old in January 2006. During the time of Kara’s treatment, our mother, Randa Sterling, began researching family history of cancer. It was a well-known fact that many members of our maternal family had suffered from breast and ovarian cancer. In fact, my maternal grandmother dies of ovarian cancer at only 53 years old. As Mom researched this, Dr. Shalaby and the JACC team suggested Kara undergo genetic testing. She was positive for the BRCA 2 mutation. Mom then was tested, along with me and my brother, Seth Sterling. Kara, Mom and I all have the BRCA 2 genetic mutation. Thankfully my brother did not.
I joke that I never went to the doctor much until my sister got sick and now I go every six months! We are all grateful to have the knowledge to be able to be proactive with our health. The three of us see Dr. Shalaby and his team every six months for testing and monitoring and have been doing so for many years. The day is now our bi-annual girls’ day! And we are so very thankful for no other illness with any of us!
My name is Kara Wilson and I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 at the age of 37. That is the last thing you want to hear at that age with two young children and a husband at home. It started with the discovery of a lump in late December 2005. My gynecologist tried to ease my fears and told me to go home and enjoy the Christmas holiday with my family and then we would get a game plan for my testing afterwards. I had no idea the ride I was about to take. I WAS SCARED TO DEATH…but I have an amazing GOD who had his hand on me the whole time and my family and friends who were there by my side every step of the way. They are the reason I survived!
January 2006 rolled around, my gynecologist scheduled tests and a lumpectomy led to the diagnosis of stage 2B ductal carcinoma breast cancer. On January 30, 2006 I had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. My doctors were amazing but the recovery was rough as I continued to work full time and care for my family with a lot of help.
A short time later Dr. Shalaby came into my life and it was truly a Godsend. His calmness and constant reassurance that we were going to get through this was so comforting. He and the staff at Joe Arrington Cancer Research and Treatment Center were always there with a quick response and/or guidance to any questions I might have had. Dr. Shalaby put together my treatment plan and I began chemo in March 2006 as I continued with the reconstruction and attempting to live as normal as I could for my family. Late summer 2006 I went through radiation then completed my reconstruction in the fall. One year after I found my lump it was recommended that I have a complete hysterectomy. What a year it had been!
The JACC genetic counselor was amazing. My family has a strong history of cancer and after her studies and research on my family, she recommended I be tested for certain mutations. I tested positive for the BRCA 2 mutation which explained a lot of why so many members of my family had cancer over the years. This led to my mom, sister and brother being tested as well as other family members. My mom, Randa Sterling and my sister, Julie Cagle were both positive. My brother was negative.
On a positive note, my diagnosis could have possibly saved the lives of current family members along with those not born yet. It has armed us with knowledge and resources to help with early diagnosis and prevention.
Well, it’s been almost 17 years since that dreadful diagnosis. I still see Dr. Shalaby every 6 months along with my mom and sister for testing and evaluation which is truly a comfort to me. He and his staff have remained steadfast in my journey that I will always be grateful for!
Tim & Janet Garrett, Prostate and Breast Cancer Patients
Our cancer journey started in the Fall of 2018, when Janet was diagnosed with Stage 1, Invasive Ductal Breast Carcinoma. In December of 2018, Janet had a double mastectomy, the first of two reconstructive surgeries. The second surgery was on October 2, 2019.
Life seemed to be back to normal but to our surprise, in August of 2020, Tim was diagnosed with Prostate cancer and our faith was tested and strengthened again. Under the careful watch of Dr. Axelrud, Tim started radiation at JACC on October 26, 2020, and on December 18, 2020, the Friday before Christmas, he finished his 42nd treatment.
Tim had to have radiation every day, Monday through Friday, and even on a Sunday during the Thanksgiving holiday. Changing your personal schedule to accommodate a trip to JACC every day is hard.
Pause…have you ever watched the tv series Cheers? Well, JACC is in some ways a lot like an episode of Cheers. From the friendly men outside helping patients get in and out, to the ladies that greet you when you walk in the building, to the radiation therapists that get you set up for your treatments…everyone has a smile on their face and are happy and encouraging. They literally did know Tim’s name and he felt like he was in an episode of Cheers because of the warm and friendly greetings and hugs he received every day.
The people at JACC help that process through their sweet spirits and hearts of compassion for the patients that walk through the doors.
Well, in February of 2021, Janet had a recurrence of her cancer and was put on a medication to try and reduce the size of the tumor. The medication worked and in February of 2022, the tumor was surgically removed. But unfortunately, another surgery was necessary to make sure the margins were clear.
Janet had chosen to not do chemotherapy with her first diagnosis in 2018, so after talking to her family and Dr. Axelrud, she decided to do radiation this time. So, on June 29, 2022, Janet started her 6 weeks of daily radiation treatments.
Radiation treatments affect everyone differently on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels. The staff and doctors at JACC are incredible! Their smiles, sweet spirits, tender care and concern for their patients is evident. We pray that no one will have to experience what we have both experienced, but if you do we know you will be in good hands at JACC.
We believe that God can work good through every circumstance in our lives. We are better people for having cancer and we have gained friends through our interaction with the staff, therapists, and doctors at JACC Radiation Oncology. Every single day our therapists were positive, encouraging, supportive, and sensitive to what we were going through. If you find yourself having to do radiation at JACC, we feel sure it will be a place where everyone will know your name!
Keith Ewing, Lung Cancer Patient
Hi, my name is Keith Ewing. First a short background on me. I am retired (1996) from 33 years at Kent State University where I was Professor and Chair of the Biological Sciences Department. After my wife passed away in 2011, I moved to Lubbock in 2012 to be near family. I live independently in my own home, do all my housework, enjoy Lubbock, play golf, love the restaurant variety, and being close to my grandchildren.
The “luckiest unlucky man” OR the “unluckiest lucky man”…my life’s question several times from January 28, 2016. I was at Covenant’s Emergency Room for rising blood pressure and a horrendous headache. These were treated and the doctor ordered an abdominal CT scan for a lower back problem.
He came to the examining room and said, “You have lung cancer”. The lesion was extremely small (…luckiest…?? No.1). My doctors opted for surgery and I agreed and a portion of my lower right lung was excised in March. In August 2016, after recovery from lung surgery, I had a prostatectomy. From this point, I will list occurrences.
A second lesion was found in my upper left lung after a routine CT scan (…luckiest…?? No. 2). After some investigation, my son and I decided to fly to Dallas for a procedure called Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) as opposed to typical radiation treatments. SBRT pinpoints lesion location and directs radiation to that very small specific area…(the GPS of radiation treatments!) In my discussion with Dr. Anderson, I found out this procedure was available at the Joe Arrington Cancer Research and Treatment Center within the last several months and the SBRT technologists had trained in Dallas (…luckiest…?? No. 3). Six weeks of specific location radiation followed.
Some months later, following a routine chest CT (…luckiest…?? No.4) metastasis to a lymph node was found near my esophagus. I underwent a protocol set by Dr. Anderson and Dr. Close which included 6 weeks of chemotherapy and radiation. Though I lost 20 pounds, I came through okay.
On a fall Sunday afternoon I was at a local restaurant. I had a Temporary Ischemic Attack (TIA) and went to Covenant ER via EMS. I had a CT scan to locate the TIA and found a very small lesion in my brain (…luckiest…?? No.5). it was determined to be a metastasis from the original lung lesion. I have undergone a series of MRIs followed by three Gamma Knife surgeries at JACC for the brain lesion over the last year or so. The Gamma Knife surgery employed the latest advancement in the procedure from drilling four holes in my skull and bolting a mask to my head, a thermoplastic mask is molded around the face/head and bolted to the gamma emitter. Covenant and its doctors at the forefront once again. I am still within this protocol. Another aside…if several of my doctors decide to leave the profession, I can recommend them highly for any job require use of a drill!
Almost 7 years later, I still live in my own home, do my own housework, play golf (which I was able to do through all my treatments), relish dinners out and enjoy my family. I thank Brad, Cindy, Kris, Missy, Matthew and Jenna for their love, support and encouragement though all my trials and tribulations.
Though I am still in treatment, I have been fortunate to have talented doctors associated with Covenant and JACC to be with me and to treat the many problems that have faced me. To have a cancer center at the leading edge of technology and procedures and to have so many compassionate and dedicated nurses, technologists, therapists, volunteers and, in fact, all the people who have served and helped me in so many different ways, is a blessing. I want to recognize my doctors…first, the emergency room doctor of January 28, 2016. My doctors who have seen me through life with cancer, in no specific order: David Close, William Springer, Harold Smith, Paul Anderson, Marque Hunter, Robert Scranton, Gabriel Axelrud. May God bless each one!
As a 90-year-old retired biology professor who lives independently and still plays 18 holes of golf, I am extremely pleased and amazed with the advanced technology used by the expert doctors at JACC to treat various types of cancer like mine. The entire Covenant community has always been very helpful and supportive during my visits and treatments. In short, the Covenant community has helped to keep this golfer on par for the course.
Beverly Keveryn – Research Patient
I am 74 years old and was regular on physical check-ups annually. For 68 years I was never sick – just flu, ear infections, sinus infections, etc. I started feeling very tired. I live in Ransom Canyon and started taking lunch at home and sleeping for three hours before returning to work. I started seeing my primary care doctor complaining about it. He took my blood and thought I had anemia, so we focused on B12 shots, vitamins, etc. After a year and no relief my doctor ordered an upper/lower GI.
I called my very special family friend, Dr. Tim Miller. He is a gastroenterologist got me an appointment right away. He ordered routine blood work for me and told me not to worry because he didn’t think we would find anything. At my appointment Dr. Miller told me he had made an appointment for me with Dr. Quick at Joe Arrington Cancer Center. He said Dr. Quick is the best. And he was right! He is a loving, family man and a Christian.
I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and have never looked back. I didn’t see this coming, but God is in control and when you have doctors that let Him be in control it works out even better. Dr. Quick has worked very hard to get me into a research trial treatment program that I will be starting very soon. I am blessed to be a patient at JACC.
Marissa Matinez, Mother of patient Mariah Martinez – Pediatric Leukemia Patient
Mariah is the baby of 7 and although her older siblings don’t like to admit it, they know she’s the boss!
Mariah’s cancer journey began in November of 2021 at the age of 3. During a visit to our family doctor due to a yellowing tint to her skin, lab work was done and we received a call directly from her doctor later that evening. We were told to rush Mariah to Covenant Children’s for treatment. After multiple blood and platelet transfusions, we got the news that no parent ever wants to hear – Mariah was diagnosed with Pre B-Cell ALL.
While at Covenant Children’s Mariah received chemo treatments and, eventually, we heard a beautiful word – “REMISSION”! We are so thankful for everyone at Covenant Children’s Hospital for taking such good care of Mariah. And to say the Covenant Children’s clinic staff are a blessing is an understatement! Although Mariah is in remission, she will continue to receive treatment for 2 years. And, boy, is she ready to ring that bell!
Lloyd Strickland - Radiation Oncology Patient
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and received radiation treatment for 45 days. Dr. Torres and his staff at Covenant Outpatient Radiation Treatment Center are wonderful, very friendly and they take really great care of their patients. I’m thankful for JACC and the help they provide during such a difficult time.