In Their Words – 2006
Patients share their Dana-Farber experience
Dear Dr. Nathan:
I want to thank you for putting my sister, Judy Palfrey, and me in touch with the wonderful doctors who treated my prostate cancer with brachytherapy last month.
I was naturally terrified by the initial diagnosis that was made by a local urologist here in rural western New Jersey, where I live. But I was greatly comforted to come to Dana-Farber, where I felt entirely confident that I would receive the best care available anywhere. The whole experience, both at Dana-Farber and at Brigham and Women's, has been extremely positive. Throughout I had the clear sense that everything that could be done for me was being done, and done extremely well. Dr. D'Angelo, who performed the procedure, carries himself with such a fine air of assurance that he managed to inspire absolute trust in me. He was just terrific, as were all the other doctors, and residents, nurses, and technicians I encountered. I have an enormous sense of gratitude to them all.
My wife and I stayed at my sister's lovely home in Cambridge before the procedure and for a week afterward, surrounded by her big, lively family and their great excitement over the birth of Judy's new granddaughter, (my grand niece) Emeline. Also, my sons arrived in a strong show of support, so there was a lot going on, and all quite jolly. Now, oddly, I find myself looking back at the experience of being a cancer patient, not as a dreadful or dreary passage, but as a time when we had a delightful family get together with, simultaneously, a very positive visit to a wonderful hospital.
I can't thank you enough for your help.
With my sincere gratitude,
St. Clair Sullivan
