just passed away the week before, and the last thing you expect from a visit to the urologist is to learn you might have lung cancer. And it was about 5 pm on a Friday afternoon.” She had a long weekend ahead of her. But within two hours, on Friday evening, she’d been contacted by thoracic surgery. She was in the office on Monday morning. A navigational bronchoscopy quickly confirmed she did have cancer, and she was referred to an oncologist. “My oncologist was Dr. Judson, who had been my mother’s oncologist,” Teresa explains. “When he walked into the appointment, I think he was surprised to see me as a patient.” Her journey began in 2016. Since then, she’s had several types of chemotherapy, some more productive and some better tolerated. A diagnosis of Stage IV lung cancer is difficult, but she keeps moving forward and taking whatever steps needed to keep moving forward. One constant throughout her treatments has been her daughter, Amanda, who has worked in Information Technology at Augusta Health and has been with her mother at most of her treatments. many good websites for information. She’s been to every chemo treatment, even if it’s just been to pop in and say, ‘Hey, how are you?’” Teresa’s also kept a positive attitude throughout her treatment, and she believes she’s been able to do that because of her rapport with the nurses. They all encourage each other with appropriate humor, which is possibly best illustrated by “the hats”. When Teresa began losing her hair, a dear friend crocheted some hats for her. Not just any hats, but silly hats—one that looked like Helga the Viking and one that looked like she was wearing pink sponge curlers. At that point, the hats became the thing. Each chemo session was a different hat. Friends gave her funny hats. She and her family would search for hats. “If we found something outrageous, we just had to buy it,” says Amanda. “We had pilot goggles, mouse ears, one for every holiday.” The collection grew to almost 50 hats. In fact, she actually helped build the computer system modules used in the Cancer Center. “I have a personal investment in the system,” says Amanda. “I also have tremendous support from my husband, children, grandchildren and so many other friends and family,” adds Teresa, “and my faith keeps me encouraged. It keeps me centered on what is truly important.” In addition to having Amanda at her treatments, her ‘other family’—the Cancer Center staff, especially the nurses—have been with her, too. Her navigator, Megan Howell, has become her single point of contact. 6 “Megan’s awesome,” says Teresa. “I think the best word to describe her is that she’s an expediter. If I’m having trouble connecting somewhere, she can do that for me and get me where I need to go. She’s referred me to She also dressed for each Halloween. Last year, she went as Uncle Fester from the Addams’ Family, complete with a lightbulb that lit when she put it in her mouth. “It’s important to keep your spirits up, and the nurses really help me do that,” says Teresa. Teresa’s on a ‘chemo break’ for a while to get some dental work done. She’s had another scan and her new oncologist, Dr. Naheed Velji, says things are working, so…so far, so good. What’s next in the journey? “I’m going to Disney World,” says Teresa. And Amanda confirms that plans are in the works AUGUSTA HEALTH • CANCER PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT 2019 for the entire family to make the trip in 2021. “I don’t ask about end times,” adds Teresa. “As long as I’m living well and feeling well, I’m good.” CHARLES’ JOURNEY Charles Meeks, a retired middle school language teacher from Covington, has always been a pretty healthy guy. So he was surprised in February, when test results from a regular visit to his primary care physician in Bath County showed an elevated PSA. Because his PSA has always been normal, and his prostate looked normal, his physician prescribed an antibiotic first, to take care of any possible infection. About a month later, he saw urologist Dr. Sam Graham and the PSA was even higher. Dr. Graham changed the antibiotic, but because the PSA was still elevated, ordered an MRI. The MRI did reveal a spot, so Dr. Graham performed a biopsy. The biopsy confirmed cancer. continued on page 7 Charles Meeks and Angie Shy
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