Amy is in her mid-40s and loves the outdoors—especially biking, hiking, and walking her dog.
In the fall of 2018, she felt a lump on her neck, and when it did not go away, she visited her primary care doctor. After many tests, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes and femur (thigh bone). She was devastated and scared.
A few weeks later, Amy started treatment with radiation and a medicine that helps the body’s immune system fight cancer. This combination can get cancer under control but can cause side effects.
After a month, Amy’s cancer doctor recognized that she could use an extra layer of support to deal with her symptoms and stress. A palliative care nurse started to visit her at home every week and was available by phone whenever Amy needed to reach out. She helped Amy through her difficult treatments, both physically and emotionally. The goal was to get her back to feeling like herself again, which to her, meant being active and riding her bike.
This is Amy’s palliative care story.
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Amy is in her mid-40s and loves the outdoors—especially biking, hiking, and walking her dog.
In the fall of 2018, she felt a lump on her neck, and when it did not go away, she visited her primary care doctor. After many tests, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes and femur (thigh bone). She was devastated and scared.
A few weeks later, Amy started treatment with radiation and a medicine that helps the body’s immune system fight cancer. This combination can get cancer under control but can cause side effects.
After a month, Amy’s cancer doctor recognized that she could use an extra layer of support to deal with her symptoms and stress. A palliative care nurse started to visit her at home every week and was available by phone whenever Amy needed to reach out. She helped Amy through her difficult treatments, both physically and emotionally. The goal was to get her back to feeling like herself again, which to her, meant being active and riding her bike.
This is Amy’s palliative care story.
While living her everyday life and enjoying a concert, Rae Anne discovered a lump on the side of her neck. Not knowing what it could be, as she felt okay, she left quickly to schedule appointments with various doctors. Within a few weeks, the lump grew and she was diagnosed with stage 4 head and neck cancer. Rae Anne received several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and was sent home to wait to see if the treatment worked. During this time, the palliative care team called which changed her life for the better, answering questions and providing monitoring during an otherwise lonely and scary time.
“Palliative care was the most valuable part of treatment because it enabled me to feel like I was going to feel better again. There was an opportunity and a team of caregivers that were going to make sure that my next step in my cancer journey was smooth.”
Rae Anne is now living cancer-free with her twin children, and running her nonprofit. This is Rae Anne's story.
Narrated by Nick Ciavatta
Produced by Melissa Baron, Lisa Morgan, and Nick Ciavatta
Get Palliative Care
Amy is in her mid-40s and loves the outdoors—especially biking, hiking, and walking her dog.
In the fall of 2018, she felt a lump on her neck, and when it did not go away, she visited her primary care doctor. After many tests, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes and femur (thigh bone). She was devastated and scared.
A few weeks later, Amy started treatment with radiation and a medicine that helps the body’s immune system fight cancer. This combination can get cancer under control but can cause side effects.
After a month, Amy’s cancer doctor recognized that she could use an extra layer of support to deal with her symptoms and stress. A palliative care nurse started to visit her at home every week and was available by phone whenever Amy needed to reach out. She helped Amy through her difficult treatments, both physically and emotionally. The goal was to get her back to feeling like herself again, which to her, meant being active and riding her bike.
This is Amy’s palliative care story.
