When Cheryl George began coughing and feeling chest pains, she knew something was wrong. She went to the emergency department when she found it hard to breathe. Even her career as a nurse manager could not prepare her for the diagnosis of stage 4 metastatic lung cancer.
Her husband, Noble, was amazed that during this crisis that turned their whole family’s world upside down, the medical professionals at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center exuded kindness and compassion.
“We have been married for 35 years and have been through a lot together,” said Noble. “I have never experienced so much love and compassion in my entire life. Every person expressed love and consideration in every bit of care they gave to my wife.”
They were encouraged by doctors who set out to treat her cancer until it went away. Cheryl underwent radiation and chemotherapy to eliminate her tumor, and she is now getting immunotherapy to make sure the cancer does not come back. She continues to work as a nurse during her treatment to give others the compassionate care she herself is receiving.
The couple lives in Southern Maryland, and despite some of these experts working out of hospitals in other regions, Cheryl has been able to receive treatment in her community. Noble expressed his gratitude, “I feel so blessed and overwhelmed. I wish I could give every person who cared for her a basket of fruit.” Noble has inspired his Shriners chapter to make a philanthropic investment, and he is also referring his friends to MedStar Health for oncology care.