Grantee Shares Inspiring Stories of Hope and Help
My Friends at the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate:
Today was a unique day in that I had two stories rise to the surface, one happy, one a little scary.
The first was a call with a woman who doesn't have insurance due to both she and her husband having part-time positions. She has put off having a mammogram for almost 5 years. However, she read about our program in one of the local papers and decided since she hadn't had this for such a long time she needed to ask for assistance. She called and I started her in the process. When I called with her appointment today, she was almost crying and couldn't stop thanking me. She said that she never thought she would be in this position but that she was so grateful for the program and for the kindness that she was shown. She wanted me to pass on this information to all involved, certainly The Affiliate is included.
Which brings to my second encounter. We are working very well with our new general/ breast surgeon and his office staff with the HealthyWoman Program. But, this week they had a referral not captured by any program because she is a 38-year old that recently had breast implants done. She developed an ulcerated cyst. Her surgeon referred her to ours who did a biopsy - all these were out-of-pocket - and she was found to have cancer. The extent, I don't know. They came to us to find out the best course of action. We were able to schedule her for the follow-up mammogram and additional testing pending. I was also able to direct them to call the assistance office in Altoona, PA to facilitate the obtaining of insurance for the treatment piece. When I called the office manager back, she was ecstatic because we are collaborating so well for our patients.
See what the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate has enabled us to do?! Although I hate the fact that this young woman has breast cancer, I pray that with this coordination we are able to nip this in the bud - and quickly.
Again, thanks for your part in all of this.
Deborah Gilbert
Coordinator of Parish Nursing, Department of Parish Nursing/Community Outreach Executive Director of the Parish Nurse Coalition of the Greater Lehigh Valley