Washington Health System

ALL FOR ONE A team of dedicated providers working in close collaboration is needed to care for a complex head and neck cancer such as the one Jill Parkison had. In Jill's case, the continuum of care began with her diagnosis by Otolaryngologist–Head and Neck Surgeon Edward Stafford, MD, who also removed her larynx with surgery. It continued when Jill worked with WHS speech-language pathologists to learn how to use her speech prosthesis; two of the speech pathologists even took Jill to dinner so she could meet other patients recovering from a total laryngectomy. Jill concluded her cancer journey with six weeks of radiation therapy prescribed by WHS Radiation Oncologist Michael Dougherty, MD. "We have a strong multidisciplinary team that includes Otolaryngologist–Head and Neck Surgeon Howard Goldberg, MD, and myself; Dr. Dougherty; Medical Oncologist Nitin Kapoor, DO; and representatives from speech- language pathology and palliative care," Dr. Stafford says. "The cooperation among the members of our team allows us to provide university-quality care." JILL PARKISON REFUSED TO LET CANCER OF THE L ARYNX SILENCE HER. Healin The Voice of In early 2015, Jill, a 62-year-old McDonald resident, kept losing her voice. On March 30, she went to the Emergency Department at Washington Health System with shortness of breath and fatigue and was admitted to WHS Washington Hospital. e decision to seek care likely saved her life. "I performed a procedure at the bedside to look at Jill's vocal cords," says Edward Staord, MD, Otolaryngologist–Head and Neck Surgeon at WHS. "It was immediately apparent she had a tumor of the larynx [voice box]. It was large, blocked her breathing passageway and paralyzed one of her vocal cords. I suspected the tumor was malignant." A biopsy conrmed Dr. Staord's suspicion, and imaging revealed the tumor had invaded the thyroid cartilage. Surgery to remove Jill's larynx and lymph nodes from both sides of her neck was the best option. SOUNDS LIKE SUCCESS Dr. Staord performed the surgery on April 8. A week later, speech-language pathologists tted Jill for a speech prosthesis. She went home on April 20. "I couldn't speak initially," Jill says. "I wrote everything down—it felt like I had to write a novel! I was always positive, and my family was wonderful to me. My husband and the WHS speech-language pathologists worked with me until I could speak again." Six weeks of radiation therapy during the spring and early summer robbed her of the ability to speak once more, but her voice returned aer treatment ended in July. "e rst two times I saw Dr. Staord aer I nished radiation, I couldn't speak," Jill says. "e next time I went to see him, I was speaking so well he asked if he could take a video of me to show to another of his postoperative patients who needed encouragement. I agreed, and Dr. Staord told me later the gentleman cried because he was so touched I did that for him." » HAVING EAR, NOSE OR THROAT PROBLEMS? CALL OUR PHYSICIAN REFERRAL LINE AT (724) 250-4310 TO FIND AN OTOLARYNGOLOGIST. The Voice of SILENCE HER. Healin SILENCE HER. Healin Healin Healin Jill, a 62-year-old McDonald resident, kept losing her voice. On Healin Healin "I received awesome care from everyone at WHS and I will never forget them." -JILL PARKISON connections | SPR I NG 2016 4 whs.org

• Cover