FEATURE

Feature

Empowered By a Strong

In 1985, Connie Dunlap went in for her regular mammogram and doctors discovered a cancerous lump in her left breast. She had a modifi ed radical mastectomy, where her breast and lymph nodes were removed. However, according to Connie, everything she does, she does in twos or threes. This was just the beginning of her cancer journey.

After her mastectomy, Connie continued to get mammograms on her right breast, but the tissue was dense and doctors struggled to get a good image. She decided to get a preventative mastectomy just to be safe. During the operation, doctors discovered pre-cancer of a different type.

In 2002, doctors found another lump in her remaining breast tissue and biopsy results showed that this time it was lymphoma. A year later, Connie began Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatments at Central Care Cancer Center in Great Bend with Medical Oncologist Mark Fesen, MD, FACP.

IVIG treatments require an infusion of antibodies that help fi ght off infection. They are commonly used in cancer patients to keep infections and cancerous cells from spreading or reoccurring.

Since 2003, Connie has gone to Central Care t every other Friday to receive her IVIG treatments. Over the years, the staff have become like a second family to her. “They probably know me better than I know myself,” Connie says. “They are just that kind. They treat everyone like that too. Those nurses work so hard in the infusion room and I think Dr. Fesen and [Physician Assistant] Lori Williams walk on water.”

Central Care is dedicated to keeping expert cancer care close to home. With the latest technologies and treatment techniques, Central Care provides an unmatched level of quality care to the Great Bend area. “All of these people that go to Dallas or wherever to get extra care, I just can’t believe they get any better care than right

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here,” Connie explains. “I think it’s great that Great Bend has such a place here.”

However, Connie’s road has had its fair share of bumps. Between rotator cuff surgeries on both shoulders, cataract surgeries, sinus surgery, treatment for infl ammation of her gall bladder, and heart issues that required several stents to be surgically placed in her heart, Connie has had quite the journey. During one of Connie’s regular checkups with Dr. Fesen, she mentioned that she was experiencing heart pressure. Dr. Fesen immediately told Connie’s son, Jim, to take her to Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita, and he did. “Dr. Fesen saved my life again,” Connie says. “They had to put two more stents in, and that was a month after they put the fi rst one in.”

Connie’s spirit has remained strong throughout all of her battles, and she refuses to give up. “I would never give up,” she says. “That’s just not in my vocabulary – giving up.”

Without her family and friends, she says she wouldn’t have made it. Connie and her husband of 58 years, David, have two sons and three grandchildren. According to Connie, they are a very close-knit family. “I have a fantastic family,” she explains. “I’ve really, really been blessed. If you have that backing, you can make it through anything.”

In her free time, Connie spends a lot of time with her son, Jim. They like to play bingo together, but also really enjoy traveling, because they share an adventurous spirit.

“I have been very fortunate because when Jim travels, I am in his hip pocket.” Connie goes on, “I’ve been to Thailand, India and all over Europe.”

She is also extremely grateful for her son, Ron, and his wife, Juli, who make it possible for her to stay in Great Bend and continue to receive care from Dr. Fesen.

As active members of Heartland Community Church, Connie and David also became close friends with their minister and his wife, Carrie. According to Connie, Carrie became a huge part of her journey. “It was hard to meet people, because I was still working, but I met Carrie and she’s wonderful,” says Connie. “She’s a Godsend.”

Within the past few months, Connie was also diagnosed with glaucoma, macular degeneration and giant cell arteritis. Treatment for this will include a yearlong cycle of steroids. “I really believe in the power of prayer,” she says. “Between that and the family and friends I have, that’s what’s getting me through this.”

Connie will receive IVIG treatments for the rest of her life, but she knows the treatments are keeping her antibodies at a healthy level. She plans on staying strong with the help of her family, friends and the physicians and staff of Central Care. “I love the staff there,” Connie says. “I hope Great Bend realizes how fortunate they are to have this facility. It has saved many lives, including mine.”