Patient Stories Cancer Care

Ellen’s Story

I had a mammography and ultrasound in May of 2018 at Saint Clare’s Dover Hospital. Nina and the staff at the Women’s Center at Saint Clare’s Dover Hospital were wonderful. An abnormality was discovered and the next step was a biopsy. On July 10^th, I was having surgery and soon after was told what my treatment plan would be. I received chemotherapy, and then after that I received radiation treatment at the Center for Cancer Care at Saint Clare’s Denville Hospital. I wanted to remain close to home for my radiation treatment so my family would be close. I met with Dr. Desai at the Center for Cancer Care and my 21 treatments of radiation were scheduled. While at the Center, I encountered the nicest, kindest people in the world. Dr. Desai and the staff were fabulous. Dan and Annie always set up my radiation and were there for me. Jake, my grandson and the love of my life, along with Chuck, my husband, supported me through the entire process. Jake would ask me if he could tell his friends how I was doing. That made me feel good. I worked for the Catherine A. Dwyer School and the staff and students were also so wonderful and supportive through my entire treatment. The kids asked me every day how I was feeling. During my treatment, I did have to go to the emergency department at Saint Clare’s Denville Hospital and the staff there was great! On January 24^, 2019, I was “Blinged” by Brandy, the social worker at The Center for Cancer Care. I felt so honored and good to receive this gift from Operation Bling and Brandy.