Helen Dandurand (Host): Welcome back to the Well Within Reach podcast. I'm your host, Helen Dandurand. And today, I'm joined by a grateful patient, Beverly Stein, who's here to tell her story. Welcome. Thank you for being here today.

Beverly Stein: Thank you.

Host: Of course. So Beverly, can you tell us a little bit about yourself, and then what was going on when you first realized that something didn't really quite seem right?

Beverly Stein: Well, I'm married and got three children and got some grandchildren. And I'm 91 years old. I enjoy life, and I want to keep going. And I was not feeling well, different side effects, and I came to Katie Van Hoveln, who's my primary. And I would talk to her, and she would listen. And we would take one project at a time, and she would have things checked out, and figured out there's something wrong. And she had some tests done, and it turned out that I had colon cancer. And she referred me to another doctor, Dr. Basha, and they started running tests. I mean, they didn't hesitate. I was very thankful that I didn't have to wait long. He investigated different things, and then he told me I had three choices.

One was to do nothing. Two, he said he wouldn't do chemo because I was my age. And three, have surgery. Well, he also said, "Then with your age..." he didn't know if they could find somebody that would do it. And he said he would get back to Kate, and they discussed it and I said, "I feel I have no other choice but to have surgery."

If they gave me a time that they said I probably wouldn't live for another year, what choice did I have? So, I said surgery, and he said, "Do you have a surgeon in mind?" And I said, "No." He says, "Well, I'll get with Kate again, and we'll find one." And he found Dr. Dang. She said that I was a young, at the time, 89, and they did surgery. And it worked out real good.

Host: Good. Well, that's a really good overview. It sounds like you had a really good relationship with Katie Van Hoveln, and you were able to just be comfortable kind of talking with her. Like you said, tackling projects kind of one at a time. And kind of when you came in at that time at the beginning of all of this, what were your kind of symptoms, or what prompted you to say, "Hey, something isn't right here"?

Beverly Stein: Well, I just felt I had trouble with my bowels. I was tired And just uncomfortable with my lower body part. So, they said, you know, that's what they did. They went in, ran the test. I was very low on iron, which made me so tired and that. And we just proceeded on and very happy with the results.

Host: Good. So, how would you say that having an established relationship with Katie, your primary care provider, help you in a scary and uncertain time?

Beverly Stein: I trusted them. And they all listened to me. And you got to be able to go into an office and sit down and talk to them and know that they're listening. To me, that's the big word, listening to you when you go in and talk to them. And I felt very confident with them. I had very good care, and I'm really happy about the results.

Host: Good. Good. At one point, you said you were too old for surgery, or that's what they told you, that you might be. And kind of what was that experience like, and how did you feel comfortable with the Riverside care team and how they gave you your options and told you, "No, you're able to do this." Kind of how were you feeling in all of that?

Beverly Stein: Well, when they said I was too old, I thought, "I'm old, but I'm not that old, and we can get through it." It sort of shook me up at first. I thought, "I'm not ready. I'm going to keep moving on." And you stop and think about it, it sort of scares you a little bit, but I was confident in the people that I was working with. And I knew we'd get through it. I just had faith that we'd get through it.

Host: Yeah. And those providers here at Riverside said, "You know what? No, you're not. We'll make this happen. Here are your options." So, it probably felt good just to hear that from a group.

Beverly Stein: Oh, yes. I trusted them, and they kept giving me confidence that they could do it, they could handle it, and I thought I can too then.

Host: Good. Good. So from your oncologist to your surgeon and these other specialties, there were a number of Riverside providers throughout the journey. What stood out about your care that you received from these teams and that were involved in your treatment? I know you said listening was a big thing, but what else kind of stood out, in your care?

Beverly Stein: Besides listening, they cared. They showed they cared. And in Dr. Patel's office, I got to know another lady, Carla. And she, you know, wished me well and encouraged me and that meant a lot. Sometimes you just talk to them and have a good day, but she really encouraged and I'm very thankful to know these people.

Host: You've got a whole group of people on your side, different providers trying to coordinate your care and be sure that you know that they care about you, for you, and that's a really good feeling.

Beverly Stein: Yes.

Host: And so, today, you're enjoying life. Looking back, how do you feel about your decision to speak up to your primary care provider when you said, "This isn't right"?

Beverly Stein: I couldn't do some things because I didn't feel good. And, like I said, I went and saw Kate, and we'd talk. And well, we'd work on this and very confident and satisfied with the people. I knew I'd be okay.

Host: Yeah. And so, you're glad when something was wrong, that you had that conversation. And now, you can keep doing the things that you love to do, what are some of those things that you love to do?

Beverly Stein: Well, I'm an outside person. I like to do things outside. I like to just go and relax and I like to be with my friends and family. I got a good family and everything. So, it's very satisfying.

Host: Yeah. All the important things you're able to do, because you were able to take those first steps and feel comfortable. That's great. So, what message would you like to share with others, especially older adults, about paying attention to your body and your symptoms and maintaining that healthy relationship with your providers?

Beverly Stein: Yes. If you don't feel good, don't say, "That's old age. That's just a pain I got that it'll go away." Check it out. Talk to your provider, and I'm sure that they would help you and find the reason and keep moving. I say keep moving.

Host: Awesome. Well, thank you so much for being here today and sharing your story.

Beverly Stein: You're welcome. I appreciate you having me.

Host: Yeah. And thank you listeners for tuning into the Well Within Reach podcast, brought to you by Riverside Healthcare. Be sure to rate and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. And for more information, visit riversidehealthcare.org.