HASTINGS — York resident Mary Thoman, a patient at the Mary Lanning Healthcare Wound Center, remembers the days when she was unsure of what lay ahead.
“I kind of had a little meltdown,” she said. “The staff just surrounded me and said, ‘we’re your family here.’ They’ve been my little family. How do you thank them for that kind of thing?”
For the past year, Thoman has been fighting complications from breast cancer surgery. Her treatment started with daily visits to see Casey Brader, APRN at the MLH Wound Center.
“She’s wonderful,” Thoman said. “She made sure I had accommodations at the Home Away From Home (hospitality house) so I didn’t have to drive every day. That would have been totally impossible due to the expense and the amount of pain.”
Because of the difficulty of her wound, Thoman has received numerous types of treatment, including time in the hyperbaric chamber. Today, Thoman is down to weekly visits. And even though her wound has not yet completely healed, she said she is in far less pain.
She also is happy to spread the word about the wonderful care she has received.
The entire staff — including Brader, Lorri Davison, APRN, and Dr. Shaw Tang — have been supportive, Thoman said. And, they do a good job at explaining the processes and changes in treatment so patients are not afraid.
“They don’t get upset with you when you don’t understand something,” she said. “They are good at explaining. It’s kind of a learning experience as you go through this.”