Our Testimonials

There’s never a good time to have cancer, but for Kristen Randol, her diagnosis couldn’t have come at a worse time. Dealing with the unexpected loss of her brother, Kristen first ignored symptoms, blaming them on grief. Eventually she did seek treatment, first from her family doctor, then a proctologist who ordered a colonoscopy. It was just days before Christmas when she got the news that they found two tumors. But even then, she stayed positive because the doctor believed it was Stage I and the extent of treatment was a re-sectioning surgery.

Following surgery, she felt amazing and was anxious to get back home. She was dressed and waiting to check-out when Dr. Sadiq from Fort Wayne Medical Oncology came in with a new game plan. Post-surgery tests revealed that Kristen was facing Stage III colon rectal cancer that had spread to two of her lymph nodes, something that was very unusual for a person her age. And now this new doctor was telling her they had to start making plans for chemotherapy and radiation right away.

It was a lot to take it, but Kristen kept a positive outlook throughout the whole process. “I wanted my family to see that I could beat the scariest thing out there, cancer,” she says. It was important for her to stay strong and upbeat, which made Fort Wayne Medical Oncology and Hematology a perfect fit. She describes everyone as “phenomenal” and says that they way they treat patients makes a huge difference. “They make real connections here. Everyone was so positive and supportive. “

It took an entire year to complete Kristen’s treatment of radiation and chemotherapy. It was a tough road at times, but she says her journey made her stronger and more faithful. She gets a little choked up when talking about what Dr. Sadiq and Fort Wayne Medical Oncology means to her, “This place is on my heart. I built such a trust with the people here – they saved my life.”

Karen Schroeder was six months pregnant when she noticed a small knot in her breast. She casually mentioned it to her doctor, thinking it was simply part of her pregnancy. Her doctor was concerned, but decided to simply keep an eye on it until after the baby arrived. A post-pregnancy ultra sound was inconclusive, but three months later, the lump was still there. Even though Karen was breastfeeding, her doctor couldn’t wait any longer and ordered a biopsy.

When Karen was told she had stage three breast cancer, she was in disbelief. She was young and had an infant to care for, along with a four-year-old son and a school-aged step daughter. Once the shock wore off, Karen quickly shifted gears. “I drew strength from my kids. I knew I needed to be there for them.” So when she came to Fort Wayne Medical Oncology and Hematology, she was ready to start treatment. She explains, “I sounds strange, but I was excited to start chemo, I just knew I had to do this.”

Her oncologist was eager to get started, as well. She ordered three tests, one right after another, with visits the following day for each one so they wouldn’t waste any time. Once they knew exactly they were facing, treatment began immediately.

“I connected with my doctor right away. She wasn’t much older than I was and also had small children, so I think she understood my state of mind,” says Karen. “She, and everyone else there, let me know that I wasn’t in this alone. They definitely shared my fighting spirit.”

After four months of chemotherapy, two surgeries and 36 radiation treatments, Karen was cancer-free. “I am grateful to Fort Wayne Medical Oncology for saving my life. I have a lot of life to live yet.”