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Most people would probably feel like giving up if they experienced half of what Stephanie McMurray has been through. In her life of a little more than 40 years, the Marion resident has faced and conquered two monumental health crises by trusting in her faith, reminding herself of her philosophy on life—that “this too shall pass”— and relying on the expertise, support and care of Marion General Hospital and its healing staff. Diagnosis and Treatment In November 2004, after performing her routine monthly breast self-exam, she found a lump in her left breast. She was 38. Not long after, a more aggressive form of cancer was diagnosed in her right breast through an MRI exam. “I can remember immediately thinking, I am going to die,” she says. “I think that is the first thing everyone thinks when they hear the word cancer.” A history of breast cancer runs in her family. “I knew the importance of completing my monthly self-exams and having an annual mammogram because my two aunts had breast cancer,” she says. “I think all women should do these two things to improve their chances of finding cancer at an earlier stage.” Uncommon Care Fortunately for McMurray, the cancer was found early and surgery was performed to remove it. McMurray then faced eight weeks of chemotherapy at MGH medical oncology, located within Progressive Cancer Care. “The treatment, doctors and staff were just wonderful,” she says. “They know their patients by name and cater to them like family.” McMurray was especially impressed with Jan Miller, R.N., Mike Backs, R.N., Gail Bireline, R.N., and Tylana Byrd, secretary. “They are all very caring individuals who provided impressive care,” she adds. In fact, McMurray was so comfortable with her chemotherapy and the medical oncology staff that once she finished the treatments and was scheduled to be seen only once a year she asked if she could be seen every six months. “I felt like I needed my safety net,” she says. “Initially, when I received the cancer diagnosis, others encouraged me to go out of town because they felt I would receive better care, but I don’t think I could have received better care anywhere.” A lighter moment during her treatment—which McMurray now can reflect back on with a smile and laugh—came when her then-8-year-old son, Daniel, informed her that he would be embarrassed if she lost her hair during chemotherapy. Her quick wit got the best of her: She told him he was losing his teeth, but she was not embarrassed of him. It’s a moment McMurray says they still laugh about today. Another Battle to Fight Unfortunately, cancer was not the last major health crisis McMurray would have to face. In December 2007, at age 41, she started to experience lower jaw pain that lasted throughout the night—sometimes from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. The pain, which she dismissed as a toothache, caused many sleepless nights. She tried in vain to treat the pain with over-the-counter Orajel®. “That was a little odd now that I look back on it,” she says. “It was something I shouldn’t have ignored.” Three months prior, she started to have pain in her arms, and her hands would go numb. She discharged the numbness as a flareup of her arthritis and fibromyalgia. There were other warning signs of a heart attack, too, but McMurray didn’t see them. She wrote off the chest pain as a result of her breast surgery, her night sweats as a symptom of the onset of menopause, and her thoughts of impending doom as just another panic attack. When the symptoms became unbearable, McMurray went to the MGH emergency room, where an EKG confirmed that she was experiencing a heart attack. “I think the immediate care I received there and prayers saved my life,” she says. McMurray’s road to recovery included care at MGH’s cardiac rehabilitation. “I really didn’t know what to expect,” she says. “My sister-inlaw had completed the program, but I knew nothing else about it.” McMurray liked the care she received in cardiac rehabilitation. “The staff was friendly, caring and very attentive,” she says. “They motivated me and made me feel safe and secure.” While many others would have felt hopeless, McMurray never did. “As long as there is life, there is hope,” she says. Wise words we all can commit to memory for our own time of need. go Call Today A yearly mammogram is one of the best ways to detect breast cancer early, in its most treatable stage. To schedule your screening, call 765-662-4144. vim & vigor · winter 2008 7
BridgingBy Randy Deffenbaugh the Gap An affordable new health plan is helping Hoosiers stay healthy In Grant County alone, there are nearly 8,000* uninsured residents who have no security or peace of mind when they lay their heads down at night. Without health insurance, an unexpected health emergency or even a routine visit to a hospital or physician will leave them unprotected from receiving a potentially huge medical bill they cannot afford to pay. Left with the decision to pay for healthcare or feed, clothe and shelter their families, many uninsured residents are forced to make the choice to not get the care they so desperately need. To provide insurance to those in need, Indiana and Gov. Mitch Daniels developed the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), an affordable health insurance program for uninsured Hoosiers. Marion General Hospital and MGH physicians and specialties support the HIP program. With their commitment to become HIP providers, they give those who choose to become HIP participants the much-needed security, peace of mind and independence associated with having health insurance coverage. To be eligible for the Healthy Indiana Plan, you must: • Be between the ages of 18 and 64. • Have an annual household income that does not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level (generally less than $20,400 for a single adult or $41,280 for a family of four). • Not be eligible for Hoosier Healthwise or Medicaid. • Not be pregnant (pregnancy is covered by Hoosier Healthwise). • Be ineligible for health insurance coverage through your employer. • Be uninsured for at least six months. All participants will have a personal wellness and responsibility account, or POWER Account. Your account contains your required monthly contributions, as well as the state’s contributions for a combined total of $1,100. Your POWER Account will be used to pay for the first $1,100 of services, not including $500 of free preventive services. This means you can manage and control the money you contribute. After your POWER Account is used, the HIP plan will cover all medical expenses up to $300,000 a year or $1 million over the course of your lifetime. Stay healthy—and give yourself and your family the security, peace of mind and independence you deserve by applying today. Every Hoosier deserves to rest easier. *2005-2006 Taylor University Commission study We’ll Get You Covered To apply for the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), download an application at www.hip. in.gov or have one mailed to you by calling toll-free 877-GET-HIP-9 (438-4479). Applications and assistance also are available at Marion General Hospital. Please call 765-662-4864 or 765-671-3080. MGH representatives are happy to assist you. To apply for HIP, you’ll need the following items: • Valid driver’s license or state or student ID, to prove identity • Legal birth certificate or other legal documents, to prove U.S. citizenship •Alien registration card or permanent resident card, if you are not a U.S. citizen •Most current employer pay stub or paycheck, to verify income; if self-employed, bring last year’s signed tax return 8 vim & vigor • winter 2008
Page 1 and 2: vim&vigor HEALTHY LIVING FOR OUR RE
Page 3 and 4: Opening Thoughts Business as Usual
Page 5 and 6: Tested and proven experience is a c
Page 7: One woman battles breast cancer and
Page 11 and 12: Radical Radiology By New equipment
Page 13 and 14: 52 Stop Suffering By Randy Deffenba
Page 15 and 16: Volunteer Services Your Support Ben
Page 17 and 18: Community Connections November 2008

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