12/28/2020

Patricia's Story: I would not be who I am or here today without Wentworth-Douglass Hospital

Patricia Endsley has a long history with Wentworth-Douglass Hospital from volunteering as a teen to working as nurse. In addition to giving birth to her children here, Patricia's most profound experiences at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital was her breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent bariatric surgery, addressing a risk factor for a recurrence of cancer.

As a teen volunteering at Wentworth-Douglass, Patricia was in constant awe of the nurses and decided to become one of them. She earned a spot in the Wentworth-Douglass graduate nurse program on the Douglass 3 orthopedic floor but never imagined she would be a patient in the bed.

When Patricia was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer, she was a full-time nursing student and caring for a family of five. The incredible team at the Seacoast Cancer Center quickly put her at ease. They listened to her concerns and went above and beyond to meet her needs, allowing her to continue to care for her family, work full-time, and start her doctoral program – all during cancer treatments.

After Patricia’s diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer, she proudly rang the Seacoast Cancer Center bell to celebrate her victory of being in remission. However, due to her life-long struggle with obesity, she knew she was not yet in the clear and needed to address all risk factors for recurrent breast cancer.

Patricia underwent bariatric surgery and knew she was in the best hands at the Wentworth-Douglass Center for Weight Management & Bariatric Surgery. She holds the distinct honor of being the fourth bariatric surgery performed at WDH by Dmytro M. Havaleshko, MD. At 18-months post-op Patricia had lost 90% of her excess weight and removed the risk factor for recurrent breast cancer.

She has witnessed first-hand the impact of the support that the Wentworth-Douglass Hospital Foundation and donor families provide. Now, when a patient under her care thanks her, she understands the gratitude they feel because she has experienced it herself.

Patricia is now truly living her best life! She is healthy, participates in our Seacoast Cancer 5K and recently completed a Ph.D. program at the University of Missouri – Kansas City, School of Nursing, all while working full-time and spending time with her family, including four grandchildren. You are a powerhouse, Patricia!