| by Michelle Holmgren | April 15, 2009 |
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WARE - When Ann Marie Stratton of Belchertown learned that her strong independent mother, who had never been sick a day in her life, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer she prayed for strength, mercy and time. Moving her mom from Maine to Massachusetts was just the beginning of a journey that led her to the Baystate Regional Cancer Program in Springfield and then to Baystate Mary Lane Hospital for her cancer care.
The initial phone call was met by a reassuring voice that not only understood the many unasked questions in Ann Marie’s heart but also offered the promise that her mother’s care would be exceptional. “Little did I know how exceptional the care would be” said Ann Marie Stratton. So began the journey, on August 11, 2008, as they met their oncologist, Dr. Donald Higby, for the first time.
After a consultation in Springfield, Dr Higby had suggested that Mrs. Papi receive her care at the Baystate Regional Cancer Program in Ware, closer to home, where he cares for patients with cancer and certain blood diseases.
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Donald Higby, MD
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“Dr Higby’s presence alone was comforting, his knowledge was apparent, yet most important was how this brilliant physician made my mother feel,” said Ann Marie Stratton. “During our consultation, my mother not only choose a treatment that she initially had no intention of doing, but she left Baystate Mary Lane Hospital with something even more important: Dr. Higby had put my mother at ease, given her hope and a reason for us all to look forward.”
According to Nancy Price, clinical supervisor, The Baystate Regional Cancer Program at Mary Lane Hospital in Ware offers a home-away-from-home setting for patients with cancer and their families. Patients can register, have their blood work done, and receive their cancer treatment, all in this one area. Dr. Higby, who cares for patients at both the Springfield and Ware locations, offers patient access to the most current cancer care, including evaluation, diagnostics, therapeutic intervention, chemotherapy. Also available to patients are cancer support groups, community-based public education programs, and counseling. The health care team members include nurses who specialize in cancer care, social workers and support staff who partner with Dr Higby to provide a treatment plan that is specifically tailored to meet each patient’s needs.
Donald Higby, MD, who served as Chief of Hematology and Oncology at Baystate now dedicates much of his time providing patient care at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital. In 2008, Dr. Higby attended to 1180 patient visits. “While it is our primary goal to treat cancer, it is only part of the focus of our program,” said Dr. Higby. “There are also the very human issues to deal with as part of cancer treatment of any kind, including the distress over loss of health and independence, financial and family concerns, as well quality of life issues. At Baystate Mary Lane Hospital we work together to help meet the medical and social challenges that patients face with a cancer diagnosis.”
“I marvel at Dr. Higby’s approach to my mother care. He cares for the whole patient, not only the complicated medical case in front of him, and I continue to watch in awe as he balances aggressive care with the utmost regard for my mother’s comfort,” said Ann Marie Stratton.
“Dr. Higby has enriched our lives; his medical expertise in cancer care and brilliance is surpassed only by his heart.”
For more information, link to Dr. Higby's online clinical bio or the Baystate Regional Cancer Program. You can also call 413-967-2241. |
