Claxton-Hepburn

V10N4

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Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center fall 2011 Whatever you do, do it well. Carving a NEW LIFE When John P. (Jack) Taylor, 78, of Morristown, was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he didn't let it stop him from living. AFTER A PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN test came back with abnormal results, Taylor's primary care physician referred him for further testing. A biopsy revealed that Taylor had cancerous cells in his prostate. Due to his age and a preexisting condition, Taylor was unable to undergo surgery and instead opted for radiology treatment with hormone therapy. John Gebert, MD, board-certified radiation oncologist at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, created a treatment plan for Taylor with the least impact on his quality of life. Having lost his son to cancer 30 years ago, Taylor knew how serious the condition could be, but he retained an optimistic outlook. "I believe you can turn anything into a positive situation if you work hard enough," says Taylor. "When my son passed away, I made my mind up to enjoy every day of my life, so I didn't look at cancer as a prison sentence. Instead, I found happiness daily and looked to the future." For 42 days, Taylor underwent radiation treatment, all the while looking forward to spending time with Cancer Center staff—his new extended family. Although Taylor suffered a few side effects, he says he learned to live with the symptoms. He continues to receive hormone therapy treatments, which will be completed in November. after Cancer Continued on page 2 "Cancer can evoke a range of emotions, and many people experience a sense of loss related to the diagnosis. Talking through these feelings with medical staff, friends, family members, and other survivors can help patients stay strong." — Kay Zimmer, LMSW, BPN-C, certifi ed patient navigator at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center Win a leaf blower. See page 2 for details. Volume 10 Number 4

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