Christiana Adams

Christiana had sporadic pain in her lower abdomen for months. “I had taken care of many people, but had not been taking care of myself,” she says.

After eight days of bad pain, Christiana went to the Emergency Department. Alice Suchomel, MD examined her swollen belly and called in surgeon Katya Ericson, MD for a consult.

A CAT scan showed a bowel obstruction. “Dr. Ericson said, ‘You need surgery immediately,’” Christiana recalls.

Christiana emerged from the 3-hour surgery with a preliminary diagnosis of colon cancer – and a stoma, a surgically made opening in the abdomen.  She spent three days in the hospital, with follow up stoma care scheduled in the Wound Healing Center. On her first visit there, Christiana pointed out leakage from the surgical incision to wound healing expert Jillian Simon, APRN, FNP-BC, CWON. Jillian sent Christiana immediately to the ED, where Dr. Suchomel diagnosed sepsis, a life-threatening infection. Christiana needed surgery again.

Surgeon Ashley Marek, MD performed surgery to clean out debris that had built up in Christiana’s abdomen after her first surgery. Dr. Marek then recommended a wound vac, a vacuum device with a tube attached at the wound site that constantly, gently suctions out debris to clean and close the wound.

“The wound healed much more quickly than anyone expected, including the surgeons,” Christiana says. Weekly appointments (sometimes twice a week) at the Wound Healing Center provided care for the surgical wound and the stoma. That gave Christiana two reasons to ring the celebration bell in the Wound Healing Center when her wounds were healed.

Now, she needed a plan to treat her cancer. Christiana met with cancer nurse navigator Juliana Sayner, MA, BSN, OCN and oncologist Henry Pitot, MD at the Cancer Care & Infusion Center to discuss chemotherapy and other options, factoring in Christiana’s weakened state. Cancer treatment plans are individualized, taking into account many factors. For Christiana, that included monitoring via blood tests, CAT scans, and annual colonoscopies.

Christiana continues to go to the Wound Healing Center for ostomy care. “I am forever grateful to this marvelous team for their expertise and compassion,” Christiana says. “Not only did they treat my physical wounds, but they lifted my spirits as well. I simply cannot praise them highly enough.

“The care I have received has been magnificent, at every step, in every department.”

Christiana’s advice to others: “Get yourself checked. Don’t put it off!”

“The marvelous thing about NH+C is that everyone is an expert, and they are so kind and non-judgmental. They just want to help. And kindness can be just as important as expertise.”

Luckily, NH+C offers both. As many times as needed.