It was confirmed that I had stage 4 lung cancer. It was shocking news that my wife and I were not prepared for. I would be turning 65 in December and would have health insurance, but at the time of this news, that was not the case.

Sara Bond, who was also fairly new to the Joliet hospital system, immediately went to work as our nurse navigator, helping us figure out where to go for help. She put us in touch with Illinois State agencies and other agencies that could help us in this dilemma.

Shortly after that, I was diagnosed with bone cancer in my left shoulder, which made the situation worse. Sarah was with us every step of the way. She contacted doctors for medications and tests, and gave us direction in which way to turn and what bridge to cross.

Sarah's quick work and extensive knowledge of the situation, both medically and financially, gave me the opportunity to start radiation on my shoulder in November. My first chemotherapy was shortly after.

On many occasions Sarah was only a phone call away for help with situations arising from those first sessions. She listened and advised, and eased the fear a bit.

My wife and I are indebted to the wonderful staff of Ascension Cancer Care. We have had a wonderful oncologist, great technicians, superb nurses, too numerous to mention, and a terrific nurse practitioner. In all of this, the one person that we could count on to answer every question was Sarah, our navigator.

I will likely have to receive some form of cancer treatment for the rest of my life. As of October, 2024 I have had my 46th treatment, and Sarah is still smoothing out bumpy roads.