09/11/2015
The news that Hillary Meyers had stage 3 breast cancer is the scariest thing she had ever faced. She was dutiful in getting mammograms and doing breast self-exams; yet the cancer grew and eluded her until it was found by a 3D mammogram 22 months ago.
“I really did not worry about breast cancer...so this was mind numbing for me,” Hillary explains. “I was numb. I was watching someone else, as if in a movie, and I was waiting for the next scene.”
Today, Hillary is a Cancer Survivor.
“I love Wentworth-Douglass Hospital,” Hillary beams. “I was always made to feel like the only patient they had. The care I received was, and continues to be, exceptional. It is one of the best tools in my healing toolkit.”
It’s been nearly two years since this numbing moment. Hillary could hardly imagine her victory then, but today she is celebrating it thanks to the “BIG city” care she received at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital. Hillary had access to cutting edge cancer treatments augmented by supportive and wellness services that resulted in the best outcome – Life! Throughout Hillary’s treatment, she was encouraged to focus not just on her medical treatment, but also the supportive and wellness services that would give her and her husband a better quality of life before, during, and after cancer treatment.
“The incredible staff members of the Seacoast Cancer Center are amazing,’” Hillary shares. “These people practice patient-centered-care with every interaction, with every patient, every day that they are on the job! In addition, they do so with a depth of compassion that is sometimes not describable.“
Hillary believes that she is a cancer survivor because of her access to world-class care right here at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital’s Seacoast Cancer Center. Wentworth-Douglass Hospital provides our community with the best diagnostics, treatment plans, supportive and wellness services, doctors, and nurses. This means that Hillary could stay connected to her family, friends and coworkers through her entire journey – it also meant that she had a semblance of order during an otherwise hectic and frightening time.
During her care, Hillary learned of the inaugural Seacoast Cancer 5k Walk – an event to raise funds for the excellent care that Hillary had been receiving. “I heard about the Seacoast Cancer Walk and I knew that if I was feeling well enough to participate that I was going to be OK.” Last year, Hillary proved to herself that she was going to be just fine and participated in the inaugural event calling it a “personal best”.
Thanks to Hillary’s new lease on life, she has become a partner to Wentworth-Douglass’s Seacoast Cancer Center. “I knew that I wanted to do something big, something more than just writing a check,” Hillary says. “Being able to help more people access care here and to help celebrate survivorship means the world to me.”
This year, Hillary has joined forces with our many community volunteers, including Wentworth-Douglass Foundation Board and MDRT Member Tom Levasseur. Between the two of them, Tom and Hillary have already raised over $10,000 and recruited more than 50 participants for the Seacoast Cancer 5k, set for this September. “I love this event,” Tom says. “We are doing so much more than fundraising. The Seacoast Cancer 5k brings together our entire community, patients, and survivors in a celebration of life.”
Thankfully, Hillary’s story of survival is not uncommon at Wentworth-Douglass’s Seacoast Cancer Center. She, along with approximately 1,100 patients come to our cancer center each year at a time of great stress. The Seacoast Cancer Center is here for them — connecting patients to great physicians, care givers and services to improve their quality life when it is needed most.