Marcy Smith, of Glendive, Mont. is busy. From her work as a speech paraprofessional in Glendive public schools and following her son\u2019s many sporting activities, to caring for two young foster children, she has just enough time to make sure she is caring for her own health. Her normal routine took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.<\/p>\n
Her medical provider insisted on a screening mammogram last February. \u201cI remember thinking, \u2018I don\u2019t have time for this,\u2019 but my doctor didn\u2019t give me a choice,\u201d Smith joked. The mammogram revealed a lump, and further tests confirmed it was cancer. By May, Smith had undergone surgery to remove the lump and was advised to start chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy.<\/p>\n
Living in rural eastern Montana, Smith faced the prospect of traveling long distances for her treatments. If she chose to travel more than 200 miles to Billings, the daily radiation treatments would require her to potentially spend weeks away from her family. \u00a0These barriers made her uneasy. Fortunately, Smith\u2019s provider informed her about the new Intermountain Health Holy Rosary Cancer Center<\/a> in Miles City that was now providing radiation oncology treatments.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the very moment I spoke with my radiation doctor in Miles City, I was wowed. The facility was brand new and very comfortable. Cancer stuff is scary, but this place made it a really good experience,\u201d Smith shared.<\/p>\n The convenience of the cancer center was \u201ca game-changer\u201d for Smith. An hour drive from Glendive, she was able to work her radiation treatments into her work and family schedules. \u201cThey fit me in during the afternoon. I was able to leave my last student at 3, make it to Miles City by 4, and be back home by dinner time,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are incredibly proud of the strides we\u2019ve made in expanding our cancer services,\u201d said Katie Donnelly,\u201d director of Oncology Care at Intermountain Holy Rosary Hospital<\/a>. \u201cBeing able to offer comprehensive cancer care at Holy Rosary means patients like Marcy no longer have to travel hours for these treatments. Seeing the difference it makes, in the lives of our patients and their families, is what inspires us every day.\u201d<\/p>\n It was harder on my family than it was on me. They didn\u2019t have any control over what happened; they just sort of watched it go on. When they knew I was going to Miles City for radiation, they felt much better.<\/p>\n Marcy Smith<\/strong><\/p>\n In September, Holy Rosary opened the new cancer center, made possible with a $6-million grant from Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.\u00a0 The new state-of-the-art facility now provides radiation oncology care in addition to the medical oncology, surgical oncology, and support services that Holy Rosary has provided for several decades. It is the only comprehensive cancer center in a 125-mile radius. Annually, Holy Rosary provides more than 1,500 infusion treatments and has more than 500 provider visits with patients.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the opening of the new cancer center and now offering radiation oncology services at Holy Rosary, we will be able to serve even more patients, creating equitable cancer care for the region and our rural communities.\u201d shared Ben Uhlich, president and chief nursing officer of Holy Rosary Hospital.<\/p>\n Smith\u2019s commitment to her family was evident throughout her treatment journey. Despite the challenges, she made sure to be there for her children and grandchildren. Her foster daughter, 5 and in kindergarten, often accompanied her to the cancer center, providing company and support.<\/p>\n The support from her community also played a crucial role. \u201cI have a very supportive community. People offered to help, sent letters of support, and provided words of encouragement,\u201d Smith says. This support network, combined with the accessible care at the Holy Rosary cancer center, made a significant difference in her journey.<\/p>\n Smith\u2019s story highlights the importance of having access to critical cancer care in rural areas. Care close to home eases the economic and physical burden of travel and stress for patients like Smith. \u201cIt\u2019s such a relief to have a new center, new equipment, and very knowledgeable doctors from a great group,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Smith acknowledges the profound impact her cancer has had on her family. \u201cIt was harder on my family than it was on me. They didn\u2019t have any control over what happened; they just sort of watched it go on. When they knew I was going to Miles City for radiation, they felt much better,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n As Smith looks forward to the future with determination, she remains committed to her family and community. \u201cI\u2019m going to watch my foster son graduate, my grandson start as quarterback, and all the big things my family will do,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Now finished with her treatment, Smith starts a new year with gratitude and cautious optimism, caring for her family and students.\u00a0 She also wants women to understand and prioritize the importance of accessing preventative care, even during the busyness and commitments of daily life.\t\t<\/p>\n \n About Intermountain Health<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health<\/a><\/b> is a not-for-profit system of 34 hospitals, approximately 400 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a health plans division called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For up-to-date information and announcements, please see the Intermountain Health newsroom at https:\/\/intermountainhealthcare.org\/news<\/a>.<\/p>\n
![\"Print](\"https:\/\/cdn.printfriendly.com\/buttons\/printfriendly-pdf-button-nobg.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n