Healthy, happy and in control after cancer
Check-Up: We're checking in on a patient whose story we shared in 2022.
At 73 years old, Diane Wills feels younger than ever.
“I could do cartwheels,” said Diane. “I will forever celebrate the words, ‘you’re in remission.’”
In early 2022, Diane began having trouble swallowing. Pills were also getting wedged in her throat.
Diane quickly made an appointment with her doctor.
She learned in April 2022 that she had non-Hodgkin’s diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Partners in care
Diane soon met with her Genesis Cancer Care team, including Shyamal Bastola, M.D., Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Hematologist/Oncologist at the Genesis Cancer Care Center.
“Dr. Bastola shared the best news that the cancer would respond well to chemotherapy,” said Diane.
Diane also worked with Genesis Cancer Care Center Nurse Navigator Annette Barr, B.S.N.
Shyamal Bastola, M.D.
Fellowship-trained and Board-certified
Genesis Cancer Care Center
Nurse Navigators support patients from diagnosis through treatment. They check in regularly, help schedule appointments, manage side effects and connect patients and their families with the support they need.
Diane said with the help of her care team, she and her family could focus on what mattered most, her health.
After three of the six planned rounds of chemotherapy, Diane’s PET (positron emission tomography) scan showed no cancer cells.
“Dr. Bastola wanted to do one more treatment to be sure the cancer was gone,” said Diane.
Two months after her diagnosis, Diane was in remission.
“When Dr. Bastola told me that there were no more signs of cancer, I hugged him tightly and cried,” said Diane. “We beat this together.”
“I went in with a positive attitude and deep faith and came out with so much more. I remain healthy and have a stronger outlook on life.”
Embracing second chances
Diane and her husband, Dave, enjoy an active lifestyle, taking every opportunity to celebrate life’s moments. They visit their local gym a few days a week.
“I love exercising,” said Diane. “I feel healthier now than I did before having cancer.”
Diane’s family has also grown over the last four years. Along with their two children, she and Dave now have four grandchildren, three great-granddaughters and several step and bonus grandchildren.
Diane meets with Dr. Bastola for routine follow-up appointments. She remains in remission on surveillance, continuing ongoing imaging and labs to be sure there isn’t a recurrence of cancer.
Diane said that she no longer worries about the small things. She’s grateful every day for her second chance.
“Every time I pass the Genesis Cancer Care Center, I thank God for my care team,” Diane said. “I went in with a positive attitude and deep faith and came out with so much more. I remain healthy and have a stronger outlook on life.”
Read Diane's original story here.
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We're checking in on a patient whose story we shared in 2022.