        November of 1996 was a horrible time for my husband and myself. On the Monday before Thanksgiving my husband was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Nasopharnex Stage IV. We traveled to San Antonio, Texas to Brooke Army Hospital for his treatment. We both were very frightened and unsure of the road that lay before us. We arrived that first day into the Radiation Oncology office to be greeted by truly one of God's Angels. Janell Ortiz sat behind the desk that morning with a smile that we would come to know and love. I have never met a more friendly, helpful, sweet, person as Janell. God surely put her in this job for a reason. Janell would come to brighten many days for us as my husband went through his long months of treatment. We would learn to love her as a person and a surrogate daughter and think of her often. Rich was the next person we met there. Rich is a R.N. and another of God's Angels unaware. He was so kind to us and so readily available when we were frightened or unsure. He took us under his wing and made sure we knew where everything was that we needed, from other clinics to where the best Spaghetti in town was. Rich was a very meticulous and informed nurse. He too became a trusted friend and ally against this Dragon called Cancer. Dr. Michael Beat...What can I say? God worked miracles through your hands and heart. We will forever be indebted to you for the long sessions of endless questions and the days I know we drove you crazy with calls and interruptions. Dr. Beat was and is one of the most wonderful people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. He is such a kind and warm-hearted individual. He has the patience of Job, the sense of humor of Robin William's, the intellect of Einstein, and the heart of a true friend. With out your knowledge and patience I don't know if I would have Jay. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. To Flash, Juan, and all the others in the Radiation Dept. who kept Jay's spirits up with your sense of humor and your instinct of when to use it and when not to. For the dedication that you have shown to us and others we witnessed while there, you are the BEST. To the wonderful Ladies up in the Chemo Clinic who made Jay tow the line and refused to put up with his ego...just kidding, you guys were fantastic and he loved you all. I have never known of anyone who looked forward to having his port flushed as much as Jay did, simply because you were the greatest bunch of gals around. I am sure I am forgetting someone, and I apologize to you here. There were so many people who helped us in those six months that it is hard to recall all your names, but your faces are imprinted on Jay's heart and mine. From the great guys in the mail room who saw to it that we received the hundreds of cards sent, to the staff in the cafeteria for the delicious meals you prepared every day. From all the nurses whose names now escape me, to the R.N. who saw to it that I had a bed next to Jay when he was at his worse. To Dr. Mahoney and the ENT staff for your kindness and consideration and time spent answering questions. You are a dear, sweet lady and I think Jay had a crush on you. I will never forget your warmth and concern on the day you told me the news of his biopsy. You have no idea how much your words meant to me. To the Security Guards who took care of me when I had to leave the hospital late at night, and made sure I got to my car safely. The staff at Randolph Air Force Base Guesthouse for all the time spent making sure I had all the amenities I needed. To the Audiology Dept. for reassuring Jay that he wasn't getting old, it was the chemo making his hearing not what it should be. There are so many people to thank and no way to do it properly, I hope somehow this will serve as a small indication of how much you all helped us and how much we appreciate it. Last, but not least, to Dr., Balbeuna, at Baynes Jones Community Hospital at Fort Polk, LA. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! For being the through Doctor that you were. If not for you, Jay would not be alive. After five different Doctors told him it was sinus infection, you took the time, and energy to LOOK closely at him and discover the tumor invading his head and neck. We will forever be grateful to all of you. We are coming up on the 6 year anniversary of Jason's victory and he is fit and healthy and ALIVE! He is healthy enough to work every day and enjoy life and our grandchildren and his beloved Harley's. THANK YOU ALL FOR GIVING ME BACK MY HUSBAND. Jason and Kathalise |