|
Patients & Visitors > Patient Profiles > Patient Profile: Ovarian Cancer Back to Patient Success Stories
She is a soft spoken and determined woman, characteristics that served her well
throughout her life and in her career in finance. It is this same determination that
Donelia (Dody) Chatis believes is her strongest ally against a more formidable foe.
"Ovarian cancer, I've got it," she states bluntly. "I'd rather not have had it, but what can
you do? You have to deal with it and fight."
Dody dealt with it by heeding the warning signs and working with her primary care
physician, oncologists, surgeons and her medical team at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital
when she first suspected that something wasn't quite right six months ago. Now, after
months of chemotherapy and surgery she is beginning to get positive news from her
doctors that the signs are looking good and she may have turned an important corner.
Dody keeps a record on her calendar of every date, appointment, or significant event
that happened to her since she was diagnosed. "I want to have a record and be able to
remember everything that happened," she explains.
Dody began her chemotherapy treatments at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, but now
receives them at the modern Hallmark Health Cancer Center in Stoneham.
"The nurses and staff at Melrose-Wakefield were terrific," she explains, "and many of
them shifted over to the new Cancer Center. The new Center is brighter, roomier, and
more upbeat. It's a welcoming environment to receive care. You feel more inclined to
chat and form bonds with other patients while you are waiting for your
appointments."
Dody and her husband, George, have lived for a number of years in Melrose in a
stately brick condominium complex. "Even though it's a bit further for us to travel, it's
not that far. It's a very easy commute for us to Stoneham and back."
She also has high praise for the physicians and staff. "The doctors and nurses work
very hard and try to keep you comfortable and informed. They also have a very
positive attitude that inspires you as a patient. In fact, all of the staff there are good,
decent people. They've been wonderful to me."
This positive attitude from staff has inspired Dody to have a new perspective on
cancer. "I've been able to say the word 'cancer' a little more freely than I did before,"
she adds. "It's a long battle. You have your good days and your bad days, but you have
to keep a positive attitude."
"Tears aren't going to help anything, but I pray for the day when my doctor tells me
I'm clean. If it's gone, I'll be very happy. If it's not, then we'll keep on fighting and
continue on with some kind of treatment. I know I'm in good hands."
Click here to read more patient success stories
|