Finding the Root
When 88-year-old Frankfort resident Betty Sharpe couldn't alleviate frequent bladder infections with medication,
she discovered a more serious condition, as well as its solution, with help from Timothy Atkinson, MD, urologist at
Frankfort Regional Medical Center.
After several visits to primary care without relief, Betty was referred
to Dr. Atkinson, who began to run tests, one of which indicated
blood in her urine. Further testing identified a questionable spot
on her bladder, and Dr. Atkinson ordered a scope to investigate the
issue. Using a small, lighted video tube—known as a cystoscope—
he found a tumor that needed to be removed, along with the
surrounding muscle tissue, through an outpatient procedure
known as transurethral resection.
An Immediate Bond
Betty arrived at Frankfort Regional for her surgery accompanied by
her two daughters, Deborah Dedman and Rebecca McGaughey.
"I've never had a doctor I've cared about like Dr. Atkinson," Betty
says. "He carefully talked me and my daughters through what was
about to take place, putting our minds at ease by answering all our
questions and letting us know what to expect."
Betty went under anesthesia for the operation and was discharged
the same day. A week later, she returned to have her catheter removed.
"The procedure went off without complication, and Betty is
currently being monitored by scope every three months to check for
any reoccurrences of cancer," Dr. Atkinson says. "The most recent
scope showed a negative result, and her ultrasound looked clean,
indicating we are currently on track. Betty seems to be doing well,
and I couldn't be happier with her progress."
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