Heather R. - Peoria, IL

“As I prepared to write this letter of thanks, I reflected over the last few months. You were there from the beginning. As you may remember, we began working together shortly after I visited my primary care physician (PCP) complaining of shortness of breath, a lump on my neck, and a nagging pain in my side. My PCP ordered a neck CT, which showed several enlarged lymph nodes and a pleural effusion in my chest. You discussed the CT report with me and discussed options to investigate the findings further. Because of the lymph nodes in the chest, you suggested that I talk to my PCP about a full-body CT. You also recommended I ask about draining the pleural effusion. When I met with my PCP, I felt knowledgeable about what the CT showed, what I should be concerned about, and what the PCP might schedule next. You supported me through every scan and test result and with every PCP and specialist appointment by phone, text, or email thereafter.

In addition to background information on all things medical, you provided practical information about insurance preauthorizations, insurance-review time periods, and what situations warrant a call to the doctor rather than a message. Your explanatory emails and documents were direct and comprehensive. They summarized our conversations and provided new information. You helped me understand medical terms and talked to me like a person. You taught me how to ask the right questions to get the answers I needed and to develop a working relationship with the doctors who would be providing my care. Working with you felt like I had a medical doctor as a partner, equally invested in discovering my diagnosis.

After receiving my diagnosis, you helped me to focus on fighting my cancer rather than wallowing in self-pity. To equip me, you listened to my concerns about the treatment prescribed to me. You discovered and analyzed scholarly articles about the targeted therapy pills I was taking and their common side effects and agreed with my doctors that my experience was normal. Later, when I was struggling with a pleural effusion, you recommended asking about a treatment option that had not been presented by my care team. After speaking to my pulmonologist, we implemented your suggested plan and my breathing—and overall quality of life—immediately improved.

Relying on your functional medicine experience, you evaluated my diet and recommended improvements. You provided anti-cancer lifestyle books, diet plan books, and websites. You even sent me some of your favorite high protein recipes! Last, but certainly not least, you provided me access to high quality supplements that will help support my immune system.

Thank you again for compassionately caring for me. You have made this journey easier.”