Helen Quinn, a 74 year-old St. Marys resident, wasn't too concerned
when she found a lump in her breast in July 2012, because she previously
had fibrocystic breasts, a common condition that produces benign lumps
in many women. However, she went to her gynecologist anyway, and James
Gowen, M.D., of Southeast Georgia Physician Associates-Obstetrics &
Gynecology, a strategic associate of Southeast Georgia Health System,
immediately sent her in for a mammogram and breast ultrasound. Shortly
after that, she had a breast biopsy, and it came back positive for cancer.
"Everything happened so fast that I didn't really have time to
get scared. But then, I have my faith and my family and friends to depend
on," she says.
Helen had a right mastectomy at the Southeast Georgia Health System Brunswick
Campus, performed by Stephen Barrett, M.D., of Southeast Georgia Physician
Associates-Glynn General & Vascular Surgery, a strategic affiliate
of the Health System. Afterward, she began six months of chemotherapy
treatment at the Cancer Care Center on the Health System's Camden
Campus. This was followed by six weeks of radiation therapy at the Camden Campus.
Helen's treatments were overseen by Abraham Cheong, M.D., of Southeast
Georgia Physician Associates-Hematology & Oncology, and Timothy Jamieson,
M.D., Ph.D., of Southeast Georgia Physician Associates-Radiation Oncology.
Both physicians maintain office hours at the Camden Campus.
"After talking with my physician, I felt very comfortable having my
cancer treatments in St. Marys, and so did my family. It was much more
convenient, she says. "Dr. Cheong was marvelous and so was Dr. Jamieson.
The Cancer Care Center nurses Jennifer Clarke, R.N., and Allison Kelley,
R.N., BSN, OCN, and Dr. Cheong's nurse Donna Mistisshen, LPN, were
very helpful. The radiation therapists Brent Higgins and Jason Yates were
great. Mary Parrot and Pam O'Connor in the front office were also
very kind, supportive and compassionate."
Helen finished her treatments in April 2013, and other than feeling a little
tired, says she's doing great. "I would not hesitate to recommend
the Cancer Care Center and oncology physicians here in Camden to anyone
who needs cancer treatment."