By P. Kim Bui, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
May 19–For seven years, Cindy Wittstrom fought breast cancer. These days, she’s still going to treatment, but she’s driving someone else.
Wittstrom of Paso Robles has been driving cancer patient Maria Garcia to her treatments for two years as part of the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery.
The program offers cancer patients a ride to clinic, hospital and doctor’s appointments when they do not have someone else. In Garcia’s case, her son is at school and her husband is at work. In the seven years Garcia has been a cancer patient, the cancer has traveled from her bones to her brain, she said.
Rita Curry, volunteer coordinator for Road to Recovery, said the simple act of a ride to the doctor’s can be a huge relief for the patient and for family and friends.
“It becomes very difficult for their family and friends to get them there every day,” she said.
Wittstrom said she remembers times when she drove herself to appointments and shouldn’t have. It was just too difficult to tell anyone she needed help.
“I think it’s just, for independent people, it’s hard for them to say (it),” she said, “but for the most part, people do need help.”
On a recent day, Garcia was quiet after her son helped her into Wittstrom’s SUV. The two chatted briefly about the day’s treatment and other simple things: how long the visit would be, how Garcia likes her doctor, nurses they both know.
Garcia speaks limited English, but talking about her illness comes more naturally. After the short drive from Paso Robles to Templeton, Wittstrom helped Garcia up to the office.
Usually, she’ll wait in the car during Garcia’s appointments, reading and listening to the radio, Wittstrom said.
Wittstrom said there’s a comfort level between herself and Garcia because of her own history. It was years ago, but she has not forgotten how she felt when she was a patient.
The drive back is usually silent, Wittstrom said. She understands. Chemotherapy is tiring.
“If they don’t want to talk, I won’t talk to them,” she said.
She remembers wanting to hide after treatments. She would feel horrible for a week.
“By the time you’re feeling pretty good, the treatment comes again,” she said. “There’s a dread.”
It’s just a ride, but Wittstrom said it means something. It’s a small piece of the puzzle that patients don’t have to worry about.
“I’ve been so lucky that I ought to pass it on,” she said.
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Copyright (c) 2007, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
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