Patient Stories
Sutter Health Cancer Services
Norma – Second Opinion Saved Her Life
Norma (Jean) was in her Golden Years, but had no signs of slowing down. She worked for the State of California and also cared for her ranch and livestock in Wilton.
Norma was one of the thousands of people who were affected when CalPers decided to discontinue access to the Sutter Health Network and was faced with discontinuing her long-term relationship with her Sutter primary care physician, Katie Askew, M.D.
"Dr. Askew knew my history and was a compassionate and effective doctor," said Norma. "I had to choose a new physician who didn’t know anything about me."
Norma’s care along with results from a recent blood test was transitioned to the new provider. The test showed that Norma had a low blood count, but the doctor didn’t look into it any further. After a year of illnesses, Norma went to the doctor for a round of new tests. Without explanation, Norma was referred to an oncologist. She was diagnosed with Leukemia and immediately admitted into the hospital.
Over the next few months Norma’s condition worsened. She spent months in the hospital. Aggressive chemotherapy took a toll on her health, and she developed pneumonia, a staph infection and painful skin conditions.
"At one point my family was told that I wasn’t going to live through the night and they said their goodbyes to me," Norma said. "I made it through, but my family started getting more curious about my care and what was best for me after the doctor wanted to perform the aggressive treatment regime again."
Norma’s daughter started researching her condition, second opinions, and her health care choices. Since Norma wasn’t expected to make it back to work, her daughter helped process her retirement paperwork. During the change, they found out how Norma could again have access to her Sutter physician, Dr. Katie Askew, and to seek a second opinion with the Sutter network.
"I went in to see Dr. Askew and she just started crying," said Norma. "She remembered me as a strong rancher and couldn’t believe the change in my health as I rolled in on my wheelchair, in a great deal of pain, and unable to get out of the wheelchair alone. She told me she would send me to the best cancer doctor."
Norma began seeing a new oncologist, John J. Fisher, M.D., FACP, with Sutter Cancer Center in Sacramento. Dr. Fisher explained to Norma that the aggressive chemotherapy she had endured over the previous months was the old form of treatment and there were new options. He changed her medications and instead of invasive chemotherapy, she was prescribed oral chemotherapy and allowed to receive treatment and be in the comfort of her home with home care. Immediately she was on the road to recovery.
"In September of 2006, Dr. Fisher told me that I was in remission and September 2008, he said that he didn’t think the cancer would ever return," said Norma. "Dr. Fisher saved my life."
Over the period of time since her remission, Norma has been gaining back her strength. She is back caring for her ranch, able to do pretty much everything she could do before her illness. And she will always be grateful, and thankful for second opinions and her team at Sutter.
Learn more about Sutter Cancer Centers.
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