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Better Health D
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| SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021
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I was immensely
relieved, as I began to comprehend that I might be able to see this treatment through. The entire staff of the Cancer Center, including the counseling team,
contributed to my emerging confidence, beginning with the receptionist’s welcome, the attendant nurses or my meetings with Dr. Malcolm or one of her physician’s assistants.
By CORI URBAN
SPECIAL TO THE REPUBLICAN
As a child in Eastern Europe during WWII, Gertraud Gutzmann experienced the reality of death and annihilation. To have survived war and violence in her childhood and youth to reach the age of 82 is a miracle to her. Then she was diagnosed with cancer. “I was in denial for a few days until my older daughter, a nurse, explained to me the aggressive nature of this cancer. I decided then to seek treatment,” said the Whately resident. Her primary care team at the Northampton Family Practice, friends and acquaintances recommended the Mass General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. So she visited the home page of the center, gathered information about doctors, staff and procedures, and concluded that she would receive very good care from distinguished specialists who collaborate or consult with colleagues at Mass General Hospital in Boston. A former professor of German Studies at Smith College in Northampton, she described herself as “a retired professor of languages and literatures, but one illiterate in the medical field and its language.” She praised Dr. Alys Malcolm, “one of the truly outstanding medical professionals I have had the privilege to encounter in my long life,” who, from the day of their first meeting and consultation, spoke to her about her diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and the potential treatment in a way she could understand. At the same time, the doctor was subtle in her exhortations
that Gutzmann would be a major player in the treatment and healing process. “The clear instructions, personally and in writing … helped remind me of my part in the treatment,” she said. “I began to look forward to my meetings with Dr. Malcolm for her passion for her field of expertise and her dedication to her work are as infectious as they are inspiring.” Malcolm, medical director at Mass General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, specializes in medical oncology and sees most often patients with solid tumors such as gastrointestinal (hepatobiliary, pancreas, colorectal) cancers as well as those of the prostate, lung, head and neck and breast. “These are generally challenging-to-treat cancers, though variability in behavior of different cancers may be expected,” she said. Nearly every type of cancer can be treated at Cooley Dickinson. “However, our philosophy is to provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time,” said Caitlyn R. Lundberg, director of the Mass General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. “Therefore, there are situations where we feel that certain care is best delivered at Mass General Hospital in Boston.” Mass General Hospital, a top ranked hospital and cancer facility, has chosen to place one of its network sites in Northampton. “That means that providers at Cooley Dickinson Hospital can provide expert care, access to cutting-edge research and consultations with physicians leading the field in research
and development of new cancer treatment, right here in our patients’ back yards,” Lundberg said. Patients in Northampton have access to chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and certain surgical treatments with brachytherapy coming soon. The benefits of the hospital’s association with Mass General “are endless,” she continued. “Having a large academic center located in a community setting is the best of both worlds. Access to the best of the best in terms of physicians, treatment protocols and research, but in a
ence. “First, and above all: the expertise of the medical team, their professionalism and personal attention,” made a strong impact on her. “I felt encouraged during my days of treatment, but also in between infusions, to review difficulties I had in coping with effects of medications, with moments of discouragement. My messages on the Patient Gateway, or any phone calls, received prompt attention and useful responses,” she said. “To be sitting in the waiting room with many other cancer patients, all of whom were eventually greeted by their attending nurses in a warm,
journey,” said Malcolm, the medical director. “And they will see, feel and experience this every time they are at our center. They will be enveloped by very dedicated staff that take pride in helping and supporting them.” And while patients are able to get their chemotherapy and radiation therapy locally, closer to their home, they are still able to have the “eyes of Boston’s best” on their care process, she said. An additional benefit is access to clinical trials for the newest therapy options. There are many complex factors that affect cancer,
Malcolm urges people who think “something is not right” with their health not to ignore the feeling: “Reach out and see your provider; be your own advocate.” As for Gutzmann, a PET scan performed in March showed that the cancer is now in remission. At the recommendation of her doctors, she was to undergo a 3-week radiation treatment (April 27 to May 17) to eradicate any “lingering remnants” of the cancer. “I come from a culture where criticism is generally expressed more readily than praise,” she explained, offering context for the following comment: “Throughout the chemo treatment, I have not had one negative experience. After the first two infusions, I was immensely relieved, as I began to comprehend that I might be able to see this treatment through. The entire staff of the Cancer Center, including the counseling team, contributed to my emerging confidence, beginning with the receptionist’s welcome, the attendant nurses or my meetings with Dr. Malcolm or one of her physician’s assistants. I gained the sense that the entire team was well informed, prepared and ready Left: Mass General Cancer Center Relay for Life Team photo. to support me and to enhance my treatment.” Right: Dr. Alys Malcolm, medical director at Mass General Cancer Center at Asked if she would recomCooley Dickinson Hospital. (SUBMITTED IMAGES) mend Mass General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson smaller, more intimate setting welcoming manner, gave me not only its development but Hospital to others for cancer without the need for extensive the sense that I was part of a also its process in one’s body. care, Gutzmann replied, “I travel.” community of healers.” “While being healthy and certainly would do so, without The close-to-home location Indeed, the patients at Mass maintaining a healthy lifestyle hesitation or reservation.” was part of what appealed to General Cancer Center at is very important, having a Gutzmann when she chose to Cooley Dickinson Hospital positive mindset and nurFor more information, go to have her care in Northampare not alone. “Our entire turing our mind-body-spirit cooleydickinson.org. ton. But that is just one small cancer center team will be connection is essential,” she part of her positive experiwith them as they walk this emphasized.