Breast Cancer Survivor Writes Children’s Book about Coping with Cancer
Written by: Kelli Koch
Marketing/Communications Specialist
Southeastern Med
kjkoch@seormc.org
During her breast cancer treatments in 2009, Phyllis Knight Bachtel wrote and illustrated a book to help her 5-year-old son, Ben, cope and understand how cancer was affecting his mommy. Pictured above is Phyllis with her son, Ben, during her treatments in 2009.
CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, Feb. 11, 2011 – Cancer treatments are a scary experience, especially for a mother witnessing the traumatic effects her cancer has on her young children. Phyllis Knight Bachtel, a patient care tech at Southeastern Med and breast cancer survivor, knows that feeling firsthand. During her breast cancer treatments in 2009, she wrote and illustrated a book to help her son, Ben, cope and understand how cancer was affecting his mommy.
The nonfiction children’s book, Mommy’s Hair, was written from Phyllis son’s perspective. He was 5 when Phyllis was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 44. The idea for the book came about when Phyllis couldn’t find a suitable children’s book that could help explain to kids what happens when a parent is battling cancer. “Right then the seed was planted to write this book,” Phyllis said. “Together, I knew our story would help not only Ben, but other families going through similar situations.”
After months of treatment summoned all of her physical strength and hair, it didn’t take her long to realize there was no keeping anything from her young son. “After each surgery, he saw the bandages and soon understood the seriousness of it all,” she said, “but the reality of didn’t hit until he saw my bald head. Suddenly, this experience wasn’t just about me – it was about the whole family. I knew my husband, Kevin, and oldest son, Corey, who was 25 at the time, could deal with the morality issues. I just couldn’t wrap myself around the thought of leaving a 5-year-old boy without his mommy. This book became not only therapy for him, but also for me.”
As Phyllis started putting pictures with her words, she could see both her and Ben beginning to heal. He would ask her numerous times a day to read him the story, and it brought them both comfort. She began showing others copies of the book, but had no idea how to get it published.
“Then, one day it happened,” Phyllis said. “We were at a local winery with my sister and her husband. I commented to Lisa, the server behind the counter, about a help wanted sign she had posted. She was looking for someone to help her serve wine to 50 women who were coming on a bus tour to raise money for Wine for Wigs. I then began telling her my story and showed her a copy of the book. Here is how I know God was working in my life. She turns to me after reading it and says “I used to work for a publishing company.”
Then, after a couple meetings and Lisa asking for a few favors from her former employer, the book was published. Mommy’s Hair is now available for a $5 donation to help cover the book’s printing costs by calling Phyllis at 330-204-1743.
“This is the something good that came from my journey with cancer, and that to me is worthwhile,” she said. “I could have given in, but I didn’t. And for that, I am stronger in my heart and soul now, and so is Ben.”
Patient Benefits from Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement Surgery at Southeastern Med
Written by: Kelli Koch
Marketing/Communications Specialist
Southeastern Med
kjkoch@seormc.org
Five days after receiving minimally invasive hip replacement surgery at Southeastern Med, Roy Allen, pictured above with Corey A. Jackson, D.O., walked across his living room and back to his resting place without any assistance.
CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, Feb. 2, 2011 – At age 70, Roy Allen began suffering from joint pain in his hip and spent months not being able to walk without a crutch. The pain quickly began affecting every aspect of his life.
“Every morning I would get up, run to the post office and check on my mom,” Roy said. “But after the pain started, I was barely able to walk across the room. I knew I had to do something to fix the pain, so my family physician recommended I see an orthopedic surgeon.”
After non-surgical treatments for Roy’s hip arthritis were unsuccessful, Corey Jackson, D.O., orthopedic surgeon with Southeastern Ohio Orthopedics, performed direct anterior joint replacement surgery on Roy at Southeastern Med on Mon., Dec. 20. This minimally invasive technique approaches the hip from the front without detaching muscles or tendons, rather than by removing and then reattaching a muscle through the traditional approach. With this approach, rehabilitation can usually begin more quickly by not having to allow the reattached muscle to heal, and the incision size is minimized in an effort to help limit post-operative discomfort.
“I went into the surgery using a crutch and woke up without arthritis pain,” Roy said. “The pain had been so severe. It was hard to believe it was gone.” The next morning, he received physical therapy and was able to walk using a walker. “It felt so good to be able to walk without the arthritis pain,” Roy said.
That Wednesday afternoon after only two days in the hospital, Roy headed home from Southeastern Med, where he continued to receive physical therapy two times a week. Five days after surgery on Christmas Day, he walked across his living room and back to his resting place without any assistance. “I told my wife that was her Christmas present,” he joked. “We are both extremely happy with the results.”
Roy has been so impressed with the direct anterior approach to hip replacement surgery that he called many of his friends and family touting its benefits and the wonderful care he received at the medical center. “Dr. Jackson is a great surgeon,” he said. “I would highly recommend him to anyone. He and his assistant, Sara Saft, have extremely nice personalities and take excellent care of their patients. I thank him for helping me get back to my life and the things I love. It’s reassuring to know that this procedure can be performed with such a wonderful physician locally at Southeastern Med.”
Now, a little more than a month after surgery, Roy has completed three of his prescribed four weeks of physical therapy and is able to walk without a crutch or cane. “Dr. Jackson told me to carry the cane as a safety measure and to let those around me know to use caution,” he said. “But I do walk without it here at home.”
Though the direct anterior approach has many benefits, recovery time does vary from patient to patient, and not everyone is a candidate for the procedure. Your physician will determine if direct anterior hip replacement surgery is right for you.
“This approach to hip replacement surgery is being done all around the world, and I am glad to be able to bring these newer techniques to the Cambridge area,” said Dr. Jackson. “There are advantages to the approach but patient selection is very important for a successful outcome, not all patients are candidates. By not detaching a portion of tendon, patients can typically get back to normal activity faster and with less incidence of limping. When patients are getting out of bed sooner there is also a decreased risk of blood clots.”
If you currently suffer from hip joint pain and would like to schedule a consultation with Corey A. Jackson, D.O., please call 740-435-2340.
