Every year, around her birthday in December, Marilyn Starman schedules her mammogram. Last year, a friend of hers was diagnosed with breast cancer and encouraged her to go early for her mammogram. So in October 2019, Marilyn scheduled her mammogram and the results indicated something suspicious. After a biopsy, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer.
“Dr. Smith made me feel like I was the important one at that time. Whatever I needed, whatever questions I had, whatever questions my family had, it didn’t matter what his schedule was, he was going to take care of me. I felt a connection with him. I felt comfortable talking to him. It just felt right.”
After several rounds of chemotherapy and 32 rounds of radiation treatment at the QMG Cancer Institute, Marilyn reflected on her journey that included Oncologist Dr. Raymond Smith and Radiation Oncologist Dr. Michael Fallon. She says after meeting them, she knew she was in the best of hands for her care.
She felt that same connection with Dr. Fallon and the radiation therapy team.
“The first time my husband and I met with Dr. Fallon, I think we were with him for an hour and a half, as he was explaining things to me. I felt like he was going to help me kick this. I just felt like I wanted to stay right there and continue on with my treatment.”
Now that she’s completed her treatment, Marilyn will continue with follow-ups with both Dr. Smith and Dr. Fallon.