Patient Stories: Karen

Fighting with a Team

When Karen was diagnosed with colon cancer, she was shocked and numb—but not for very long. She knew there was only one thing she could do: fight. She also knew she couldn’t fight her best battle alone, so she made it her mission to find the right team to be on her side.

“Family, friends, doctors and nurses,” Karen said. “It was really just about gathering those people together and making health, nutrition and treatment a priority.”

Karen found her cancer-fighting team of professionals at Memorial Cancer Institute, led by Dr. Atif Hussein, hematologist/oncologist and Memorial Cancer Institute’s medical director.

“Memorial was like a family to me,” she said. “Coming here was very much like coming home. Everybody here was very warm and caring. If I couldn’t be home, this was the next best place.”

Karen’s cancer journey gave her a new sense of appreciation and patience, she said. But most of all, it gave her strength.

“Karen is an amazing woman who gives a lot to her daughters and to her community,” said Dr. Hussein. “She’s very determined and very strong.”

After six months of chemotherapy, Karen beat colon cancer.

“It was very comforting and strengthening to be surrounded by people who believed I was stronger than this disease,” she said. “I had a sense of knowing I could win the battle.”

Please call Memorial Cancer Institute to schedule an appointment: 954-265-4325, or email us.

The appropriateness of a course of treatment for a patient may vary due to individual conditions and/or complications. Always ask your physician about all treatment options, as well as the risks and benefits.