Beating Breast Cancer

Karon Weems felt afraid when she learned she had carcinoma in her breast. A nursing assistant at Greene Oaks, an assisted living facility affiliated with Greene Memorial Hospital (GMH), Karon´s family doctor referred her to the Ruth G. McMillan Cancer Center at GMH.

"Nervous, full of fear and uncertainty" is how she describes her state when she walked into the Cancer Center for the first time.

"I was so nervous," recalls Karon about that first trip. "Nobody teaches you about cancer, what to expect if it happens to you. I didn´t know if I was going to live or die, or how far along the cancer was."

However, before Karon even met with her oncologist, Dr. Mark Collins, she was put at ease by the kind and caring reception staff.

"They sensed my fear, and they immediately put me at ease by sharing their own experiences with cancer," said Karon.

After talking to Dr. Collins, Karon and her family felt significantly relieved when they left that day. "Talking to the staff and Dr. Collins made me feel 100 percent better and made my family feel 100 percent better," said Karon.

Having grown up in Xenia, and working for GMH for eight years, Karon is no stranger to the services at GMH. However, before she was diagnosed, she had no idea that the cancer center´s services were so comprehensive.

"I thought that the cancer center was just a place you go to see your doctor, who then refers you to services somewhere else," said Karon. In fact, from the initial mammogram, her biopsy, two lumpectomy surgeries, and then thirty-three radiation treatments, Karon received all her care at GMH.

While it´s hard to believe, Karon never dreaded going to regular treatment appointments with her radiation oncologist, Dr. Justin Mills. "Dr. Mills is such a jolly guy. I found him very comforting. You truly know that both he and his staff care."

Karon didn´t just find compassionate care in the cancer center, she was put at ease by the kind and caring attitudes in radiology during her mammogram, and she was blown away by the attentiveness and excellent care in surgery.

"It was like they were angels," Karon said of her time working with the cancer center staff. "It´s got to be a hard job, and I know they´re here for a reason. They took the fear out of it, and they pulled me through."

Now, almost a year later, the cancer has stayed away, and Karon is back at work. "Everyone was so supportive," said Karon. "We´re like a big family, and it really helped my recovery to know that I had their support."

Karon wants everyone to know about the wonderful experience she had at GMH. "People need to know that they don´t have to leave Xenia for care if they have cancer. The best care is available right here."

The staff of the Ruth G. McMillan Cancer Center at Greene Memorial Hospital sit with former patient and GMH employee, Karon Weems, in the Cancer Center Memorial Garden. Pictured from left: Anita Herrera, RN; Dee Mendenhall; Dr. Mark Collins, oncologist; Karon Weems, STNA at Greene Oaks; Lois Swank, RN (standing); Amy Price, MA. Karon calls the Cancer Center staff angels whose compassion helped her face her fears after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Back to Top