HEALTH
70
Treasure Coast Medical Report
GREG HUNTER
Doris Plym received excellent and comprehensive cancer treatment at the Scully-Welsh Cancer Center at Indian River Medical Center.
tion with anyone. While appetizers were being served, Collin
received a phone call from his physician. He learned that his
premonition came true.
DOCTOR BECOMES A PATIENT
Collin’s cancerous tumor was successfully removed at St.
Lucie Medical Center. Surgery went smoothly, but during
follow-up treatment, he learned firsthand what his patients
had experienced during his long career.
“Chemo was terrible,” he said. “I walked in thinking, ‘I’ve
done this for 30 years; it’s not going to be difficult.’ I didn’t
have much in the way of nausea. But I had fatigue to where I
couldn’t get my head off of the pillow. And I had significant
bone and muscular pain.”
“After chemo treatments, he was in bed for one, two, three
straight days,” Jeanne added. “That was the hardest part for
him, because he’s always been in control. That kicked his
butt.”
Today, Collin is cancer free and no longer has the lingering
effects from chemotherapy. The doctor’s journey as a cancer
patient has given him greater insight for those suffering with
the disease. It has also inspired him to start collaborating on
a new writing project with former patient Connie Titus. Now
it’s his turn to express what it feels like to experience breast
cancer. Not just as a doctor, but as a patient.
DORIS PLYM — Child advocate speaks out for good
breast health
Doris Plym of Vero Beach is a healthy 74-year-old woman
who plays tennis three times a week. She is also a tireless
advocate for neglected and abused children through the
Guardian ad litem program. At her annual checkup with
her gynecologist last fall, she opted for a 3-D mammogram.
It is the latest technology used to screen for breast cancer in
women who have dense breast tissue.
“The 3-D machine picked up a spot, so they called me back
for a biopsy,” she said. “After the biopsy, I was diagnosed
with invasive ductal carcinoma in my right breast.”
Plym consulted Dr. Theodore Perry, a surgeon in Vero
Beach, who advised her to have more tests to determine
exactly where the cancer was. The MRI and biopsies showed
it was also in her left breast, which the doctor described as a
game changer.
Because Indian River Medical Center is affiliated with
Duke University, her doctor was able to offer her a second
opinion from its specialists.
“What we find when we have a multidisciplinary approach,
the moment a patient is diagnosed, we can discuss it
and decide what’s the best way to move forward and there
are no delays,” said Dr. Stephen Patterson, an oncologist at
the hospital. “It’s never where the treatment is changed 180
degrees — but it’s tweaked, enhanced in what we’re doing. It
ends up being a very good academic discussion about what’s
the right thing to do for the patient.”
After consultation with her medical team, Plym chose to
have a bilateral mastectomy. Since no lymph nodes were
found to be malignant, she did not require radiation. Within
a month of her operation, she was having dinner with friends
and attending social events.
“I felt fine — I felt good,” she said. “I had the surgery on
Dec. 29 and attended an event in Port St. Lucie on Jan. 22. The
event was a virtual tour of Sanctuary4kids, a safe house for
children who have been removed from their homes due to
neglect and abuse.”
Plym also started playing tennis again in March and took
a trip with her husband, Eric, to England and Scotland, later
that month. She credits the support of her family and friends
for her speedy recovery. Her decision to speak out and be
open with her diagnosis has also contributed to her healing.
“My husband has been wonderful — he was very encouraging,”
Plym said. “I asked him, ‘Do you think I am different
in any way as a result of this? He said, ‘Yes, you’re eating
more chocolate and drinking more wine!’ So, just enjoy yourself’
” she said with a laugh. >>