Radiology And You - Patient Testimonials
Living with Cancer, Carol Trippe
In 2006, Carol Trippe had recently retired and moved to the Triangle to live near her adult children. Her world was suddenly turned upside down when she was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. “I was in a new community, had no insurance and was living on my retirement income,” explains Trippe. “Since I was uninsured, I felt completely hopeless.”
Fortunately for the 63-year-old Atlanta native, her physician connected her with a patient navigator who immediately began scheduling her appointments, and as Trippe says, “took the ball and ran with it.” At the same time, a local non-profit that provides financial assistance to help pay for breast cancer treatment for women without health insurance, was launched. The Pretty In Pink (PIP) Foundation, founded by Raleigh breast surgeon Lisa Tolnitch, MD, came to Trippe’s aid. Trippe says that the timing was perfect as she was Pretty In Pink’s first recipient. Trippe received her radiation therapy treatments and follow-up studies at Wake Radiology.
“Right off the bat, I was told to not worry about the bills, but I was panicked as I had lost my insurance coverage after my divorce,” explains Trippe. “The irony is that I was married for 30 years to an insurance executive.”
For more than a year, Trippe underwent rounds of chemotherapy, a mastectomy and radiation therapy. She says that finding Wake Radiology Oncology Services was another example of her good fortune during an exceptionally difficult time in her life. “I was referred to Dr. Andrew Kennedy, who explained everything perfectly. He was unbelievably complete and kind. As strange as it sounds, going to radiation treatments became my favorite place to go each day. I fell in love with everyone there as they all showed me such intense care and compassion. I have a sarcastic sense of humor and the staff jumped right in and joked with me. I ended up having a great time at each visit.” Trippe made the drive from Wake Forest to Cary for each five minute radiation treatment, but said it was worth every minute on the road.
Trippe, who has three children and two grandchildren, was cancer free for a year. Then in 2008 she began having back pain, which was diagnosed as metastatic cancer that had spread to her tail bone. “Dr. Kennedy developed a radiation treatment plan that took away the pain and at this time, the cancer has not progressed.”
She maintains on oral chemotherapy and a bone-building infusion that is administered through an IV each month. “My prognosis is stage IV metastatic cancer. That will never change. I will always have cancer and eventually, I will most likely die from cancer, unless I get hit by a bus first! However, it is under control. I look at my cancer as a chronic disease like someone who has diabetes or heart disease. You just keep on treating it as long as you can. I’m so fortunate as Pretty In Pink continues to help pay for my treatments and the drug companies supply my medications. I have a lot of angels that I thank each day!”