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Victors Stories: Patient Stories

Amy and Suzie

When Amy heard the word "leukemia" from her sister, her heart sank. Her mind raced in all sorts of directions. It was the heartbreaking news that Amy's 4 year-old niece, Suzie, had been diagnosed with the disease. What they thought was a simple visit to the pediatrician for Suzie's stomach pains and fatigue had revealed itself to be something much more serious.

What would the treatments be like for someone this age? What were the alternatives available to her? What could Amy do for Suzie, if anything? Being that something like this had never happened to anyone close to Amy before, there were many questions she had.

Fortunately, Amy had heard about the Cancer AnswerLine™ at U-M.

"They helped calm me and my family down about the diagnosis," said Amy. "When I called, they were very reassuring and compassionate about Suzie's situation and what we all were going through."

"The people at the Cancer AnswerLine™ had good, clear information for me," Amy continued. "They were very helpful, both over the phone and online. I got prompt answers to my specific questions. They also emailed me links to where we could find additional information, and they sent me a packet of literature in the mail."

At U-M, we set up the Cancer AnswerLine™ for people just like Amy. It's for anyone-patients, family, friends- with questions about anything cancer-related. And it's staffed by a team of experienced oncology nurses who can cover topics on everything ranging from treatment options and risk reduction to clinical trials and support services.

"We are a comprehensive resource for our callers," said RN Becky Eggleston, Program Manager of the Cancer AnswerLine™. "There's no recorded or canned responses-we're real nurses, responding to your particular issue. It's helpful, hopeful information that comes from people who truly care."

"The Cancer AnswerLine™ had the information I was looking for, and they were so very sympathetic," said Amy. "It's just what we needed at the time."

Suzie is currently going through chemotherapy and is adored by her nurses at Mott. Suzie says she particularly likes Nurse Emma, Jessica from Child Life and Judy, her nurse practitioner. Suzie looks forward to going back to preschool soon.

Amy has since had to deal with her father being diagnosed with urothelial cancer and has again turned to the Cancer AnswerLine™ for help.

"They had given us good information before," said Amy, "so it made sense to call again."

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