My Experience At TCCC - Annabeth Guzman, Delta High Shcool Intern

Annabeth (center) with Sue C. (left)
and Karen DuBois (right)

A Healthcare Administrator, the top of the top, the leader and the one in charge. That’s what I wanted to be when I started my internship at the Tri-Cities Cancer Center (TCCC). I dreamed of being in charge of a hospital and giving employees the tools needed to treat patients. However, as I progressed through my internship here at the TCCC I learned so much about all the little bricks that go into building healthcare facility. One brick in particular that caught my attention: Nurse Navigation with an emphasis on Palliative Care. I jumped onto the nurse navigation train with TCCC nurse navigators, Gretchen Saunders and Karen DuBois.

On this train ride they opened my eyes to what nurse navigation and palliative care mean. One aspect the navigation team attends to is patients whose cancer disease is treatable but not curable. In oncology, there are four levels assigned to a cancer which identify how far the cancer has spread throughout the body, level four (IV) being terminal. Gretchen navigates all patients at the TCCC while Karen works with Stage IV patients as a Palliative Care Nurse Navigator. In this role, she works with patients to set goals and achieve them; she calls patients at home and makes visits to patients. I had never heard of palliative care before coming to the TCCC, but now that I know what it is I am determined to become a Nurse Practitioner specialized in Palliative Care.

I met Sue C., Rosemary R. and Roberta G. who are palliative care patients of Karen DuBois. I had the honor of interviewing them about their lives and the legacy they wanted to leave. I learned valuable information from these three wonderful ladies. Rosemary truly inspired me when she said, “I am not afraid to die.” I have heard so many people say that before, but I have never heard anyone say it with such assurance. Rosemary also left me with these wonderful words, “Life is short; enjoy what you have and who you have. If there’s nothing you can do about it, let it go. It could be worse, don’t worry so much over nothing.”

Most students finish an internship to put another star on their resume, but I have left truly changed and touched. I learned so much about life and what’s important, especially at the end of life. While sitting in on the IMAGO palliative care support group with TCCC’s chaplain Rainy, patients with terminal cancer were asked if they could have anything what would it be. They came to the consensus that material matters of the world aren’t what they want to concern the end of their life with. They are more interested in the relationships with family and friends, knowing that they gave and received love. There is so much to learn from one another. When sitting down with someone and taking the time to hear about them, it may just change us, it changed me. Sitting with people who have lived three times longer than me and hearing what they have to say is truly inspirational and really made me think twice about my life and where I want to be.

~ Annabeth Guzman
   Delta High School Intern
   Class of 2014

Being Thankful - Michael Novakovich

Marilin, me and Caroline celebrating Pink!

With Thanksgiving less than a week away, it seemed like a great time to highlight the things are thankful for at your Tri-Cities Cancer Center.

We are thankful for patients and families who trust us with their care every day. We are thankful for patients like Steve Burnum who recently allowed us to share the story of his cancer journey, which is full of great inspiration. In this next month’s issue of our newsletter you will read the story of Sue Cox, a woman who has beaten the odds of her diagnosis time and again. Thank you Sue for sharing your life with all of us. The story of Dan Hooper left us with the message that we need to find beauty in each other, to love one another, no matter our differences. Dan was a Purple Heart Vietnam Veteran who told us about the beauty he realized in the people of Vietnam while fighting for his country and his life. “I call no man enemy,” stated Dan. Sadly, Dan lost his battle to cancer on November 3^rd of this year. He was my friend. 

We have an amazing group of volunteers who gave 3612 hours of their time last year, offering support and assistance to everyone who walks through our doors. The Guild and Men’s Club, our two TCCC volunteer organizations, are generous supporters of the Cancer Center and act as ambassadors of the TCCC when out in the community. Thank you.

Speaking of community, the Tri-Cities Cancer Center wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for this generosity of our community.  We will be celebrating our 20^th anniversary this next year. It was through the efforts of our community that the Cancer Center came into being. Tri-Cities residents envisioned a treatment facility offering care that rivals care offered in large metropolitan areas. A place where technology is intertwined with compassion and precision nets results. This dream was realized when the Cancer Center opened its doors in 1994. The dream is alive and well today through the continued generosity and commitment of many businesses and individuals throughout the community. Thank you.

We are thankful for our hospital owners who agreed to create a partnership, which established the Cancer Center. The CEO’s of all three hospitals, along with other community representatives, serve on our Governing Board of Directors. Here they come to agreement on a monthly basis regarding the best courses of action the Cancer Center must take in order to remain at the forefront of cancer care. All for the benefit of our community. Thank you for your vision. Thank you for your commitment. Thank you for support.

We are thankful to many physicians and other healthcare providers who support us in numerous ways. Physicians who entrust their patients care with us. Healthcare providers who have entrusted us with their family members care. With great appreciation we thank those who partner with us to raise the level of care and services we provide to our community.

And finally, our staff deserves great thanks, a pat on the back, a hearty handshake and a hug. Our staff pours their hearts into providing the very best care and support for those we serve…everyday. We earn friendship with patients and their family as we make them a part of our TCCC family. We offer numerous services that provide great benefit to individuals in need of care and treatment. However, it is often the smallest of things that can make the biggest difference in someone’s life. I see our staff engage in this time and again. I love seeing a staff member, who is racing off to a meeting, stop and take the time to listen to a patient’s story or a staffer finding a way to alleviate some of the stress a battle with cancer brings. I love watching staff help their coworkers so we can elevate the level of care we offer to those who walk through our doors. From our custodians to our Radiation Oncologists, our staff gets it… we are here to serve our community in a way that makes them feel like family while providing the highest level of care and support.  Truly an inspiring group of people to work with. I am thankful everyday that for the opportunity to be part of such an exceptional team.

With the greatest of thanks,

~ Michael

Michael Novakovich
Director of Business Development
Tri-Cities Cancer Center

My Second Home - Melody O'Neal

Proud Grandma Mel with
her grandbaby, Logan.

I was asked to write a blog for the Tri-Cities Cancer Center – where do I begin?  Do I start with when I read the job placement advertisement and knew it was the job for me or do I start with my mom and dad both being diagnosed with cancer within 18 months of each other and not having the Tri-Cities Cancer Center for a place to go?   I guess I will start with the one that happened first.

My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, had a mastectomy and was a cancer survivor for 16 years before passing away from diabetes complications.  She was the anchor of the family and had to be the strong one for me and my dad, it would have been wonderful for her if she could have came to the cancer center to meet with a support group or take part in one of the many activities we have for our patients.  My dad and I not knowing who and what to ask would have seen the cancer library as a great tool to help us thorough the unknown.

Then my daddy was diagnosed with bone cancer/prostate cancer in 1989.  He was treated very well in the basement of Kennewick General Hospital, going down a very little elevator for radiation treatment and having to get back in the car and drive to the lab for blood work and then if it okay, drive over to Pasco to get chemotherapy.  The Tri-Cities Cancer Center would have made our whole families life a lot better if it would have been here at that time.  All of that would have been under one roof plus he could have stopped and had a cup of coffee between appointments! Daddy passed away in 1991.  

In 1999 I was looking for new career when I spotted an accounts payable clerk needed at the Tri-Cities Cancer Center.  Having been a stay home mom for 8 years, it was a perfect start for me to get back into the job force.  I was a little hesitant to apply because the thought of cancer brought back sad memories but I put my front foot forward and applied.  I remember the day of my interview, I came through the front doors and was greeted with a pleasant smile and greeting from the patient registrator, patients doing puzzles and the foyer all decorated with hay bales (it was fair week!).   I thought to myself, wow what a positive environment – I would love to belong to this place!  And after 14 years, I have grown to call the Tri-Cities Cancer Center my second home, the people that I work with, my second family and some of them have become my closest friends.  I have had numerous family members and friends come through our doors for cancer treatment and though I have been sad that they have cancer, I have been so happy that they have an excellent treatment facility that stands true to their mission, vision and values.   Mission - To provide and coordinate the highest quality, compassionate cancer care for the communities we serve.  Vision - To reach a larger audience with a broader spectrum of service.  Values - Respect, teamwork, compassion and excellence.

~ Mel

Melody O'Neal
Human Resources/AP/AR
Tri-Cities Cancer Center

The Legacy of Dan Hooper - By Jasmin Garcia

How do you go about telling your life’s story? What would you include? What lessons have you learned and who would you like to teach them to? Being diagnosed with prostate cancer in July of 2012, Dan Hooper felt an urgency to capture a snapshot of his life to share with his children. When asked how his cancer diagnosis has changed his life, Dan responded by saying, “I know my life has been shortened, but I want to leave something.”  Dan not only wants to share his journey as he battles cancer, he also wants to tell the story of his time at Vietnam. He hopes to impart knowledge through his experiences; that his four children will be able to learn about his time spent in Vietnam as this is something he hasn’t openly discussed with them…until now.

Dan was drafted into the Vietnam War in August 1967. He concluded his service in 1969. Shortly after being drafted into the Army he was sent to Germany. 2 ½ months later he received orders to go to Vietnam. Dan remembers not wanting to go to Vietnam, but he understood the duty he had to uphold for his country.

As Dan spoke about his time spent in Vietnam, he described the mental conditions they were all under, “Death was on your mind everyday, 365 days a year.” Physically, Dan’s troop traveled all day moving up and down hills on “search and destroy” missions. They carried heavy packs with them at all times which could sustain them in the field for weeks on end. Dan recalled carrying ammunition, a poncho that doubled as a tent, water, food, and a bed roll. At times they would go weeks without showering and traversed the jungles of Vietnam with wet socks on their feet.  The men in Dan’s troop would consistently talk about their great desire to go home. Home… everyone wanted to return home. No one wanted to die in an unknown country. Dan longed to return to his mother and father. A thought that was on his mind every day. “I didn’t want them to lose me,” stated Dan. The thought of returning home was the bright spot in a dark time.

Aside from the war and chaos during the Vietnam conflict, Dan describes the country as a beautiful place. He remembers the landscape and the people. He conveyed his love for the country and its people despite the ugliness of war. “I hate no man. I do not hate the people who tried to kill me. I call no man enemy,” Dan stated as he reflected on his time spent there. Vietnam is another home to him and Dan desired to go back. Due to unfortunate circumstances, his company left one of their own behind. His comrade was wounded across the legs from machine gun fire. He yelled, “My legs are gone! My legs are gone! My legs are gone!” The men in his company could not stop the bleeding and the young man died. Under fire, they had to carry out all of their supplies, especially the ammo. If they were to leave it behind, they knew it would be used against them. Three men were killed in action that day. They intended to return and retrieve the bodies. Unfortunately, the body of the soldier that died due to blood loss was never found. The young man lost and never to be seen again was Jose Antonio Graniela Jr. The image of Jose is still extremely vivid in Dan’s mind. He remembers his beautiful smile and dimples which framed that smile. Dan described Jose as tall with dark hair and dark skin. During the interview Dan could still see Jose walking close by and looking at Dan saying, “Hi, how are you?”  Jose greeted everyone with a smile.

Dan survived the Vietnam War. Now he faces a new battle: Prostate Cancer. Dan’s initial response to his cancer diagnosis, “I thought I was going to die.” Support from family and friends has helped tremendously. Being diagnosed with cancer has taught Dan he can easily reach out to people and tell them, “I love you,” without a fear of wondering what people will think.

Dan considers himself a cancer survivor. The two wars in his life have showed him, “Life is a learning experience… a doing experience. I wouldn’t trade those experiences.” Dan is an extraordinary man and veteran with a determination to leave his story behind as a testimony to history. He wants nothing more than to share his story; he hopes readers find benefit in hearing his tale. Dan reminds us, “We are all born and we will all die, but it’s about how you live your life between birth and death that set your life apart from the others.”

There's No Place Like Home! - Lorie Maples

When I was 12, my Dad took a job at Hanford and moved us from Simi Valley California to the Tri-Cities.  In California we had bikers (my Dad said they were Hell’s Angels) that lived next to us partying all the time, so my Dad was glad to move us to Washington.  Initially, we lived in hotels, apartments, and with church friends in Benton City waiting for our house in Hills West to be built.  I remember my mom was pregnant with my youngest brother at the time, and our house was way behind schedule.  I am the oldest of four.  I have two brothers and one sister.

I attended Lewis & Clark, Carmichael, and Columbia/Richland High School.  After high school, I decided to join the Navy.  I wanted to see the world and get as far away as I could from the Tri-Cities.  I chose to become a diesel mechanic in the Navy, and life’s lessons began.  Navy life was a great adventure .   I went to boot camp in Orlando, FL and Great Lakes, IL for my diesel mechanic training.  My first duty station was in Annapolis, MD, a naval station across the river from the Naval Academy. 

I spent five years in the Navy and married another sailor.  I have two wonderful boys named Derrik and Kyle, and a beautiful granddaughter named Ezrah.  Since I left Tri-Cities, I have lived in Maryland, Panama, Pennsylvania, Seattle, and 15 years in Cleveland, Tennessee.  I decided to move back to the Tri-Cities in 2010 to be closer to my Mom, brothers, and sister.  It’s funny how my life has come full circle back to this place.  There’s no place like home!

Working at the Tri-Cities Cancer Center has been a great career choice for me.  Being part of a group of professional and caring people who love what they do is the best part.   I truly admire the hard work and dedication my coworkers have for the patients and their families.  Every day I come to work it’s something new.  I’m truly grateful to be here.

Lorie Maples
Executive Administrative Assistant
Tri-Cities Cancer Center