Adventist Health Portland: Your Partner in Positivity Everett’s Story
A cancer diagnosis can be extremely challenging. Suddenly everything is turned upside-down and patients may feel very isolated, even when surrounded by family and friends.
At Adventist Health Portland, our caregivers strive to ensure that patients know that they’re not alone on their healthcare journey.
When a visit with his urologist raised concerns, Everett was referred to Adventist Health Portland oncologist Dr. Aaron Hicks. Despite how common prostate cancer is — one in eight men will be diagnosed with it — Everett’s diagnosis came as a shock to him.
Fortunately for Everett, our cancer care team members are no strangers to such news. The nurse navigator and other staff jumped to move Everett from diagnosis to treatment. “The services at Adventist Health Portland are super smooth,” Everett explains. “From the receptionist, Sue, to my oncologist, Dr. Hicks, the staff couldn’t have been better.”
Everett wanted to go into every part of his health journey with a positive mindset. He found the ideal partners in Adventist Health Portland’s mission-focused providers and staff, who aim to give patients hope when they need it most.
“I wanted to go in positive but the staff made it possible,” Everett says. “They were positive and kind. I was and am in very good hands.”
He especially remembers the high-quality, caring approach radiation therapist Alan took. Always curious, Everett asked Alan during a routine scan to show him how the machine worked. “Alan was always patient with me, answering all my questions and going above and beyond the standard of care,” Everett recalls. “When Alan showed me the MRI scanner, I was in awe. Those machines are bigger and more amazing than you can see!”
Everett also recognized the quality training that our staff receives. Each of the staff took great care in following the correct procedures and steps to ensure safe, clean and quality care. Everyone showed tremendous concern for Everett’s health and he knew he was never alone.
“They treated me like family,” Everett shares. He was so moved, he took the time to write thank-you notes to the staff and bring them treats.
And though Everett is still waiting for his post-treatment diagnosis, he knows his Adventist Health Portland team has his back, whenever he needs it.