Dean’s Cancer Care Story
Rounding with Patients: Dean’s Story
Dean’s story of facing cancer at 73 is not just about battling acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It shows how people can live fully in the face of uncertainty.
At St. Elizabeth Healthcare’s Cancer Center, supported by the expertise and care of his medical team, Dean’s undiminished spirit and deep gratitude shine despite his challenges. His experience illustrates the profound impact personalized, compassionate care can make in the relentless pursuit of life beyond a diagnosis.
Q: Why did you choose St. Elizabeth Healthcare?
Dean chose St. Elizabeth Healthcare because he wanted personalized, cutting-edge treatment options close to home and a sense of community. “I wanted convenience and expertise all in one place, and I found it, only 15 minutes from our home, at St. Elizabeth Healthcare,” he says. This proximity meant Dean could receive top-tier medical attention without the added stress of long commutes, making his treatment journey more manageable and less disruptive to his daily life.
Choosing a healthcare provider is deeply personal and often goes beyond the clinical aspects of care. Connecting with your care team and knowing you are their top priority can significantly impact your treatment experience. For Dean, St. Elizabeth Healthcare’s commitment to creating a personalized care plan that considered his age and health conditions was part of this connection. The medical interventions were also about fostering a relationship where you feel as though you are more than a patient with a condition – they not only care for you, they care about you, says Dean.
“This holistic approach to care, where convenience meets compassion, and where care is centered around the whole person, plays an important role in extending lives and enhancing a patient’s quality of life,” says Dayna Summe, RN, an oncology nurse at St. Elizabeth Healthcare.
“It’s true about focusing on the patient,” Dean says. “I was looking at the St. Elizabeth website and saw their value statement: innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect and excellence. Those words spell ‘I CARE.’ I wondered if that was intentional. It sure seems like it.”
Q: What was your experience like at St. Elizabeth Healthcare?
The medical team’s personal touch and tailored approach to his unique circumstances continue to define Dean’s experience at St. Elizabeth. “Because of my age,” Dean says, “it’s more a matter of keeping me going as long as possible. I’ve got an excellent care team with Dr. Ashley Minton and the nurses.”
The team’s holistic approach to cancer care – prioritizing his physical well-being and overall quality of life – proves that personalized adjustments and detailed attention are at the core of St. Elizabeth’s philosophy. “Over time, my oncologist, Dr. Joshua NeCamp, has tweaked my chemotherapy, so I’m getting a little bit less and stretching it out longer while still trying to keep the cancer at bay and helping me feel better. That attentiveness is something you get at St. Elizabeth.”
Dean says that Ashley Coleman, APRN, an Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner at Ft. Thomas, knows he’ll have a list of questions when he shows up. “Sometimes my questions are the same as before. I already know the answers,” he admits. “But the team goes over it again. Everyone, from the front office staff to the doctors and nurses, cares. And it’s funny. Before I can say anything, they always say, ‘Thanks for letting me take care of you today.’”
Q: What are you most thankful for during your cancer care experience?
Dean appreciates the practical aspects of his treatment and its impact on his life. “I was given a year and a half to two years at that time, and I’ve already passed the year and a half mark,” he says. “Every extra moment is invaluable, offering more time with my family and the chance to make lasting memories.”
Dean’s gratitude goes beyond his health. “I pray for healing because I want to be here to take care of my wife and to be here for my kids and grandkids,” he says.
For Dean, his cancer care is about extending his life and enhancing the quality of those extended days. He’s thankful for his team; they see him as a person with a family, not just a patient with a condition.
Q: What is the most memorable part of your experience that you want to share with others?
Dean appreciates the kindness and camaraderie found within the walls of St. Elizabeth. Here, his team of providers became friends and supporters. “It makes each visit less about the treatment and more about the community of care,” he says. “I’ve learned a lot from the folks I’ve met – there are so many wonderful people.”
This support network offers a sense of belonging and mutual understanding, which is invaluable during challenging times. For Dean, healing is about providing medical care and nurturing the human spirit.
“When I try to describe St. Elizabeth Healthcare, the word that comes to mind is pineapple upside-down cake,” he says. “One of the nurses made one for me on my birthday. They even sang Happy Birthday. That’s an example of the compassion I’ve seen here.”
Q: What advice would you give someone in a similar situation?
“We moved here from Washington State to be closer to our one son, and we’ve met some great neighbors and friends at church,” Dean says. “And now we have new friends at the cancer center. It’s important for someone going through cancer to have friends and a supportive group, to find people who can help you through the process.” Dean is thankful to have found that community at St. Elizabeth.
