September 30, 2009

PERRYVILLE -- For the last two years, the Garden of Hope Oncology Clinic and Infusion Center has reached out and been a true asset to the community. Patients travel from surrounding areas (Poplar Bluff, Puxico, Ste. Genevieve, etc.) to get the quality care provided at Perry County Memorial Hospital’s Garden of Hope. The Garden of Hope is open Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm. Staff is available 24/7 for its patients and family members.

Expert hematology/oncology physicians come from St. Louis University to see patients in Perryville. The friendly staff at Garden of Hope also works with other physicians as well. They provide services to patients and receive orders from physicians from Cape Girardeau to St. Louis. They provide services so patients can stay close to home and get the treatments they need.

The Garden of Hope is a place a patient can feel perfectly at home when they must be away from their own. The staff gladly provides items such as movies, books, internet, massagers, games, snacks and drinks for their patients and families.

As the Garden of Hope celebrates it two year anniversary, it is proud to be able to touch the lives of so many and make a difference. Here are some stories about the lives they’ve touched.

When Larry Boxdorfer was diagnosed with cancer, his first thought was not to do chemotherapy. He went to see a holistic doctor, Dr. Glen Hyland, at Bright Spot in Kansas. Dr. Hyland ordered Vitamin C Therapy, but said that due to the severity of his cancer, he needed chemo, as well. He saw Dr. Paul Petruska at the Garden of Hope. Dr. Petruska agreed to order chemo at the same time that he was receiving the Vitamin C therapy. "When I met with Dr. Petruska, he explained the cancer and the chemo to me and let me make the decision about what I wanted to do," said Larry. Larry decided to go ahead with the chemo. Dr. Hyland told Larry that he was getting the best of both worlds by getting both treatments. "I feel like it, too," says Boxdorfer. "I have not been sick or lost my taste buds, and I have a good appetite. The staff here at the Garden of Hope took all the time needed to answer any questions that my family had. Lisa and Michelle are the greatest!"

Dr. Nancy Bartlett at the Siteman Cancer Center diagnosed Marian Geile with Stage 4 Lymphoma. Marian began her treatments in St. Louis. Due to complications, she had to be admitted to the hospital. While in the hospital, she faced multiple other health issues. She remained in the hospital for the remainder of her treatments. Once she was discharged from the hospital, she began going to the Garden of Hope for things such as: blood transfusions, hydration therapy, magnesium infusions, dressing changes, PICC flushes, and bloodwork. "These girls are wonderful! I wouldn’t go anyplace else," said Geile. "The girls at the Garden of Hope take care of me. When you don’t feel good, they make you feel good. Thank God for this place! I’m one of the lucky ones. This is my reward," as she points to her head, "I’m getting my hair back. God singled me out for some reason, I’m ready for it!"

When Joella Layton was diagnosed with cancer, she had Dr. Keith Naunheim perform her surgery at St. Louis University. After her surgery she came to the Garden of Hope for her chemo because "it was close to home". After completing her four months of chemo, she continues to come to Garden of Hope for regular checkups. When asked if she would come back again, her face lit up as she answered, "Oh, yes! They are very good here. They treat you like a queen. They are very good people and make you feel at home."

Susan King was in the middle of moving. She was busy so she almost cancelled her physical. When her husband urged her to keep her appointment neither one of them knew how that was going to change her life. When she saw Dr. Laurie Womack for her physical, Dr. Womack ordered a mammogram. The mammogram came back abnormal, so she was referred to Dr. Joseph Sharlow who performed a lumpectomy, removed lymph nodes, and referred her to Dr. Paul Petruska for cancer treatment and to Dr. Craig Frayer for an Oopherectomy. She underwent radiation in Cape Girardeau for about 6 weeks. She continues to follow-up with Dr. Petruska at the Garden of Hope. "The nurses are really nice, really sweet," said King. "They even sent me a Christmas card. It was so nice that all my doctors were right here."

"Some patients start with Garden of Hope while others come to us from other facilities," says Lisa McClure, RN and Oncology Supervisor, "but once our paths cross, we do all we can to help them on their journey."

For more information about the services offered at the Garden of Hope Oncology Clinic or to schedule an appointment with one of our Oncologists, call 768-3285.