To the editor:
I recently moved to the Pittsburgh area after having spent most of my life in Steubenville. They always say that it is hardest to appreciate the things that you have in your own back yard, and I just want to give credit and acknowledgment to the Teramana Cancer Center and the Trinity Health System and staff.
Late last summer I was diagnosed with lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's disease at the Teramana Cancer center by my oncologist, Dr. Mohammed Rahman. Like anyone would be, I was devastated and traumatized by the news. I have a wife and a 4-year-old son that I could not help but be concerned about, not to mention that I had been in remission from lymphoma for close to 12 years and really thought cancer was behind me.
After my family and I got over the shock of the cancer diagnosis, we had to make some hard decisions about treatment. I could have decided to pursue treatment in Pittsburgh at one of its world-class medical hospitals, but after being treated by Dr. Rahman, I came to trust and respect him. Don't get me wrong, I got a second opinion and diagnosis from one of the most well-known oncologist in the country at Sloan Kettering in New York City and another at the James Cancer Center at Ohio State University in Columbus.
They all agreed with the diagnosis and contributed to my treatment plan, led by Rahman at the Teramana center. Rahman was more than willing to work with a team of doctors in three different states and was willing to do any and everything to ensure my confidence. Rahman is a phenomenal oncologist, and he did not pay me to say this.
I also chose to be treated in at Trinity Medical Center. My in-patient treatment cycle was for four days every three weeks. The nursing staff at Trinity, coupled with the first-class facilities, made my decision to come home to be treated a great one. If you have never seen the new wing at Trinity, is it worth a visit. The facility and treatment far exceeds that of major cities like Pittsburgh and even New York City. It was great having my parents, family and friends close by. It was of tremendous assistance to my wife, who was managing work and a 4-year-old to know that if she was unable to be with me that I had a community that was always there.
I am pleased to say that as of Feb. 25 I am cancer-free again and I am so grateful to a team and community of people that made what could have been a horrible experience somewhat tolerable. Thanks to the doctors and staff at Teramana Cancer Center, thanks to my new Trinity family on the second and third floors and thanks to my family and home community that helped nurture me back to health.
Rex L. Crawley
Coraopolis
