Finding the Place You Trust for Your Cancer Treatment

Having discovered I had melanoma 2 years ago, the memories of my experience with cancer are still very fresh. Everything was a whirlwind. Every doctor visit, follow up, procedure, set back, checkup brought a rush of emotions. To this day, I still have to do my full body skin exams with my dermatologist! I find myself anxious before each appointment, hoping they don’t find a new mole or spot that looks cancerous.

One thing I am most adamant about after my own experience is finding doctors and a care team that you trust. It is so important to feel like you’re being heard and that you’re being treated like a human. I can’t stress that enough. Having had few experiences with doctors and major surgeries before my recovery, I didn’t feel like I had that even when I tried to speak up. I constantly think to myself, what if I had had a better plastic surgeon? One who actually listened? From the moment I decided to change doctors, it took 3 weeks for my wound to heal – something my previous doctor couldn’t do in 5 months of weekly follow ups! This is why I always advocate for finding a doctor that you trust and makes you feel like family.

After moving back to Southern California, I’ve had the privilege of discovering City of Hope Orange County and learning more about the care they provide to patients. I wrote a blog post About their cancer centers last year and am so impressed by their dedication to their patients. Recovering from any kind of cancer is a lengthy process, full of follow ups and appointments. You need a good support network! Once that feels like family! If you’re located in Southern California, I highly recommend considering City of Hope Orange County for their personalized approach to cancer treatment. What I found most meaningful was the quotes from the staff and patients. You can really tell they have the best interest of the patient in mind! I’ve linked various articles on each quote to discover more about how City of Hope Orange County makes feeling like family a priority for its patients.

Nicole Beltran, project manager at City of Hope Orange County and among the first ten hires, agrees with this testament. “It is no understatement to say that hope becomes a reality here,” said Beltran. “As someone who has personally experienced the impact that cancer has, I understand what it means to truly feel supported by an organization like City of Hope. The holistic level of care and dedication to excellence is what sets City of Hope apart and has inspired my work since day one.”
Surgery scheduler Lupe Esquivel finds fulfillment in personalizing her patient interactions at our Newport Beach location. “I love working at City of Hope because I’m able to help patients from the beginning, from the time that they enter our doors to the time that they finish with all their treatment. And we’re all very family-oriented here, so even our patients feel like our family here.”
Melissa Sadikoff, LCSW, a Social Work Program Specialist at City of Hope’s Newport Beach Fashion Island “We want to understand your values, goals, and who you are as a person; from there, we can know how to best support you in your journey. We see you as much more than someone who has cancer—we see you as a whole person.” …”Compassion is woven into our heart and soul. We’re here for you to make life better and more manageable for you and your family.”
“[Dr. Smith] represents everything City of Hope stands for.” Now thriving in breast cancer survivorship, Sarah is grateful for City of Hope’s highly specialized physicians and the breakthroughs they deliver to patients like her. “I have peace of mind knowing my care is with the institution that’s going to always have the most cutting-edge technology and advanced medical science.”
“It’s so reassuring and advantageous that Dr. Karimi is experienced in my specific type of cancer,” McAllise “I’ve found the three major issues in dealing with cancer are the physical, mental, and emotional needs, and Dr. Karimi and the extraordinary nursing team work extremely well together to provide the personalized care and support that I and others need in each of those areas.”
“I needed the security that comes with an organization that has a great reputation for both exceptional science and clinical care; I was looking for trust,” he said. “I wanted the expertise of a cancer center like City of Hope, which is renowned for its research and focuses on nothing but cancer every hour of every day. And while I am truthful to the science of treatment, I also want to feel like I’m part of the discussion — that the doctors see what I’m experiencing and determine the best treatment to help me.” …They value me and my time. There’s a respect for the patients, and I respect them as a health care facility.”