As nurse battles cancer, colleagues show support

• Co-workers Establish GoFundMe Page For Stricken Friend

Special to Today Magazine

Last fall, for 30 straight days, nurse Patricia Ferguson went for radiation therapy every morning to treat breast cancer before going to work to tend to her patients. Her co-workers at Stanislaw Facial Plastic Surgery Center in Avon supported her and celebrated when the treatment was successful.

Then came devastating news just six months later. Patty has been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer that requires aggressive treatment. This time, her friends at work have launched a GoFundMe page on Patty’s behalf.

“Those who know Patty know how caring and special she is to us and to our patients,” says Dr. Paul Stanislaw, owner of the center. “She fought hard and was incredibly brave throughout her first treatment. Very few of our patients even knew she was battling cancer. Her positive approach was key to such a remarkable recovery. Despite the overwhelming news, Patty remains positive and optimistic, and we believe she will beat this too.”

Patty is being treated for primary mediastinal (thymic) large B-cell lymphoma. She’s been told by the oncologist that her treatment will require 96 straight hours of in-patient IV chemotherapy called R-EPOCH every three weeks over an 18-week period.

The consummate professional, Patty had only taken a short leave of absence for surgeries to treat the breast cancer before returning to work.

Needless to say, Patty will not be able to work this time around while undergoing such an aggressive chemo regimen. While she is still trying to recover financially from last year’s medical bills, with more on the horizon, her co-workers decided to launch a fundraiser campaign. 

“Our goal is to ensure her family’s day-to-day needs are met and that they don’t have to worry about paying for basic expenses, putting food on the table or the medical bills,” explains Debra Kehoe, the practice administrator. “Her energy should be focused solely on getting better.” 

The team established this GoFundMe page so that friends and family can make donations. Dr. Stanislaw made the first contribution of $500 and more donations are coming in. The page description says people can also send contributions to her directly: Patty Ferguson c/o Stanislaw Facial Plastic Surgery Center, 35 Nod Rd., Ste. 204, Avon CT 06001. 

"If you are unable to donate," the GoFundMe page says, "your well-wishes and prayers will be deeply appreciated. We encourage you to share this page with as many people as possible. We will post periodic updates on how she’s doing. We thank you for your generosity, kindness and well-wishes.”

Patty lives in Wethersfield with her family. She has worked at Stanislaw Facial Plastic Surgery Center for 15 years, and her work includes tattoo removal, hair removal, vascular reduction and medical-grade skin rejuvenating services.

“Patty is our dear friend and we want to do anything we can to get her through this,” said Dr. Stanislaw. “We are a family practice in every sense of the word, and she has our full support.”

Stanislaw Facial Plastic Surgery Center specializes exclusively in the artistry of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. The practice is dedicated to cosmetic enhancement of the face, head and neck through the use of surgical and non-surgical procedures, injectables, spa treatments and medical grade skin-care products. For more info: 860-409-1515.

Source — Alliances by Alisa