[Noozhawk’s note: Second in a series sponsored by the Hutton Parker Foundation. Click here for the first article.]
At 78, Don Anderson still walks in the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara’s annual Walk/Run. He started participating in the event nearly three decades ago, when he could run the 10K at record speed.
Through all those miles, Anderson never imagined that he would one day be the beneficiary of the services that his sponsorship helped to fund.
Fortunately for him, his prostate cancer was detected early, through annual blood work that was later confirmed with two PSA tests and a biopsy.
When his urologist, Dr. David Laub, confirmed the diagnosis, Anderson knew immediately that he wanted to consult with Dr. Justin Voog at the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center.
“I read about the advanced technology Dr. Voog was using for treating prostate cancer in the Cancer Foundation’s annual report,” he said. “I wanted to consider all of my options.”
As it turned out, Anderson was a candidate for stereotactic body radiation therapy. The advanced therapy known as SBRT is an innovative technique using Ridley-Tree’s advanced linear accelerators to safely and effectively deliver powerful doses of radiation to the precise location of the tumor, targeting cancer cells while minimizing effects on surrounding tissues.
From a patient perspective it is compelling because it requires just five 30-minute sessions as opposed to the eight weeks of traditional therapy.
“I was amazed by these space-age machines,” Anderson said of the advanced technology. “Best of all it was painless with virtually no side effects, and after just five sessions and two hormone injections, I am presently clear!”
Anderson added that he will be monitored over the next five years to be considered clinically cancer free.
“We are so lucky here on the Central Coast to have this world-class cancer center,” he said. “I was overwhelmingly impressed by the reception and communication between my doctors and how forthright Dr. Voog was. He mapped out a plan and we stuck to it and he kept me informed.
“I’ve found everyone at Ridley-Tree to be well organized, compassionate and responsive.”
Voog credits the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara, the fundraising arm of the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, for making the acquisition of advanced equipment possible.
“The Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara is unsurpassed in its generosity and impact in cancer care in our community,” he said. “They deliver on their mission — to provide superior cancer care — on all fronts. They are as good as it gets.”
Jeannette Shade received her diagnosis of stage 3 rectal cancer after polyps were found during her colonoscopy. She admits that she had put off the colonoscopy, instead choosing to do at-home Cologuard tests starting at age 50.
Sansum Clinic recommends that asymptomatic people start regular colorectal cancer screening via colonoscopy between the ages of 45 and 50. Colonoscopy allows doctors to remove asymptomatic polyps before they become cancerous at the time of testing.
At her later stage, Shade was now confronting two surgeries: one to remove the cancer and lymph nodes and reattach the colon back to the rectum, and a second to reverse an ileostomy.
Dr. Cristina Harnsberger, Sansum Clinic’s fellowship-trained colorectal surgeon, performed both procedures with great success.
Shade also required the services of Drs. Eric Bank, a medical oncologist, and radiation oncologist George Cheng. Together they mapped out a treatment plan to try to shrink the cancer prior to surgery.
“All of the doctors were communicating on my behalf, and there’s even a tumor board that assessed my case and agreed on the best course of treatments,” Shade told Noozhawk. “It made me feel good that all of these intelligent, skilled people were deciding how to tackle my specific case.”
Nevertheless, it was a lot for her to digest, and she elicited the help of Ridley-Tree patient navigator Pam Wells.
“Pam was like having your own personal concierge at a hotel,” Shade said. “She could help with anything I needed.”
What Shade needed included organizing and scheduling multiple appointments, email reminders and, perhaps most important, taking notes during doctor’s appointments.
“It is so valuable to have an advocate with you,” she noted. “You can’t possibly absorb everything that is happening and being said.”
Once healed from surgery, Shade began infusion chemotherapy and oral chemotherapy to attack any remaining cancer cells, requiring her to return to Ridley-Tree on and off for several more weeks.
“We grow to love our patients and their families, many of whom we see every day for six or seven weeks,” said Sam Howland, director of Patient Support and Integrative Services.
In her 17 years on the job, Howland has gotten to know a lot of patients. When she started, she served as the oncology librarian. For years, she also worked as a breast care navigator, and still keeps in touch with several of her former patients.
Now Howland oversees all the supportive care services, which also include genetic counselors, oncology nutritionists, social workers, wellness programs, acupuncture and support groups.
The Ridley-Tree Cancer Center’s robust research program further provides patients with access to the latest treatments available in global clinical trials.
“It’s been so rewarding to see how our programs have evolved,” Howland exclaimed.
What started 34 years ago with one social worker — Mary Solis — has grown into a comprehensive care network that ensures patients are supported in every aspect of their care, from financial help and transportation to stress management and assistance navigating the difficult cancer journey. There is a specialist for nearly every need.
“When you are getting treated for something as complicated and time consuming as cancer, it is such a tremendous gift that we have all of these services, available to all local residents, in a town of our size,” Howland said.
She, too, credits the Cancer Foundation for its partnership in making the journey of getting through a cancer diagnosis and treatments easier for patients.
“My life is full because of the care I received at Ridley-Tree,” Shade said. “I never felt like I was just a patient or a number. The Ridley-Tree Cancer Center saved my life.”
Click here for more information about the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center. Click here to make an online donation.
— Ann Pieramici is a Noozhawk contributing writer. She can be reached at news@noozhawk.com.