"After going to many different doctors, they finally told me that I would have to live with the condition I was battling.  Apparently, there was nothing they could do to help, said Lyman. "I got depressed, and I got to the point where I couldnt even last a whole trip to the market with my wife without becoming short of breath.

It was then that he was referred to Dr. Subrato Deb, a cardiothoracic surgeon at the Western Maryland Health System. Just days after his initial appointment, he was in surgery to repair his paralyzed diaphragm.

"Dr. Deb spent lots of time explaining every step of the way.  My wife and I would recommend him to anyone, he said.

"Just seven months after my surgery I was back to doing 30 mile bike rides. he said.  "Now, a year later, Im feeling much better and back to kayaking and up to 35 miles on my bike.

"Thanks to the care I receivedI am back to the life I love.

Lyman Allen
Cumberland, Maryland

When Don Corwell was diagnosed with cancer, he didnt hesitate coming to the Western Maryland Health System for care. Why? His wife Tammy had already been a patient at the WMHS Schwab Family Cancer Center.

"Once I got to know the doctors there, I knew I wasnt going anywhere else. I trusted my life with them, said Don.

"Ive had both radiation and chemotherapy. You only see these people 15 minutes a day; but when you see them on the street, they know you by name. Staying in the community means a lot to us, and I think the care that you get here is just as good as you can get anywhere.

The Corwells were so impressed that they started an annual fundraiser that benefits other patients at the WMHS Schwab Family Cancer Center. The proceeds from their Redneck Float go the Cancer Patient Assistance Fund at WMHS. This fund provides patients with financial assistance for some of the things that insurance doesnt coveror even the necessities of life.

Tammy explained, "Even with insurance, people were lagging behind on their bills because they lost their jobs to cancer. There were so many people who couldnt afford their medications or even a wig. Thats when I had the idea for the Redneck Float. There are so many wonderful people receiving care. Even though theyre sick and getting treatments and blood transfusions, they smile and say hi. Its just a wonderful place to be.

Tammy added,I know cancer can reoccur anytime, and I wouldnt want to be any other place than here. This is our comfort zone.

"Were comfortable with everyone here - not only the oncology doctors but the surgeons and the radiologists, concluded Don

Don and Tammy Corwell
Ridgeley, West Virginia

Having experienced many complications with the delivery of their daughter in 2008, Ken and Amy Cowgill were feeling very anxious when it was time for their second child to be born.

However, upon arriving at the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center on June 25 for her scheduled caesarean section, the feelings of anxiousness seemed to go away. Amy says that she received some of the most attentive and genuine care she has ever experienced.

"From the moment I was admitted to Labor and Delivery to the time I was wheeled to our car, I received nothing but first-rate care, she said.

"Every nurse who took care of me and my son made sure to check on every need we might have, even bringing me snacks and drinks without my request for them, Amy said.

They also mention that the nursing students from Allegany College who assisted in Amys care were "very professional and eager to learn.

Ken and Amy couldnt be happier with the care they received at the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center.

"They (the caregivers) all seemed genuinely concerned for my recovery and my transition to becoming a new mom again, and I truly appreciated their willingness to listen and provide support and suggestions when necessary, she added.

Ken and Amy Cowgill
Keyser, WV

Fort Ashby's Dean Wasson say the Care he Received was Tremendous

With his many years of EMS experience, Dean Wasson knew the signs of a stroke. But when those same signs began happening to him, he was in denial.

"I thought, Ill go back to bed and sleep it off. Well it didnt happen. By noon I could hold my arm straight out. By evening time I couldnt lift my left arm or left leg. Dean said.

It was then that his family called for an ambulance to get him to the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center.
 
After a 5-day stay in acute care, Dean turned to the Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit to begin his road to recovery.

"Here I am, 70 years old, trying to learn how to dress myself when I only have use of one side. I couldnt stand up without holding on to something. Now I dont need to hold on to something. That is all from the care that Ive received from not only occupational therapy, but from physical therapy.
 
"The team in the CIRU couldn't have been any better. They know how to motivate you to do things you need to do to get back on your feet.  From the Emergency Room to my stay in the CIRU the care I have received has been tremendous, said Dean.
 
"I would recommend both the inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services to anyone.

Dean Wasson
Fort Ashby, WV

Cumberland Local Katie Murray says "Why go anywhere else?

Having battled cancer before, Katie Murray was no stranger to the excellent care that is provided by the medical and radiation oncologists and staff at the Western Maryland Health System. 

Just last year, Katies abdomen was enlarged and causing her pain.  Doctors at WMHS quickly diagnosed that her previous breast cancer had returned.

Without a second thought, Katie took the advice of Dr. Blanche Mavromatis, a medical oncologist here at WMHS, and began her road to recovery.  Katie found the care from Dr. Mavromatis to be nothing short of incredible.

"Dr. Mavromatis is wonderful.  I just have such total confidence in her.  I really feel like she is so up on the newest treatments, she said.

"I get my treatment every Tuesday and everyone says, I bet you hate Tuesdays. And, actually, no I dont because I come in and I see all my friends.  The doctors and staff at the WMHS Schwab Family Cancer Center are my friends.  Actually, I consider them family, she explained.

"You know they care about you. You hear tons of laughter.  Its never a sad place. For the most part, the patients are all smiling and in a good mood and they know this is a good place to be, she noted.

One thing in particular that impressed her was the fact that the staff knows your name and is happy to go above and beyond what they have to do in order to make it a positive experience for each patient.

"I never dread coming here at all. Ive met some people who are also having chemo.  There is one woman in particular that I have become close friends with.  I went to visit her when I wasnt having chemo and sat with her during her treatment.  Then the other day when she wasnt having it, she came and sat with me.  Its just a really warm, comfortable place to be.

Katie finds every aspect of care she has received at the WMHS Schwab Family Cancer Center to be top-notch and cannot imagine going anywhere else.

"I have total confidence in the doctors here.  The staff is just incredible and has made my whole experience, which is something nobody wants to go through, delightful, she said.

"I just cannot say enough.  Its a beautiful, lovely place to be.  I just cant imagine going out of this area for treatment when we have such excellent physicians, as well as such a beautiful facility and great staff right here in Cumberland, concluded Katie.

Katie Murray
Cumberland, MD

Patient Jerry Goodwin Says Quick Action Saved His Life

Jerry Goodwin was experiencing circulations problems in his left leg that were hindering his everyday way of life.  Moving south for the winter and trying to avoid surgery, he tried a strenuous exercise program but to his disappointment it was of no help.

It was then that he went to a well known university hospital for a procedure where they inserted a stint in his left leg.  Much to his dismay, the results from the procedure lasted about a month and then failed.

At the end of winter, he made his way back to Cumberland and into the office of Dr. Subrato Deb.

During his initial examination, the staff in Dr. Debs office not only found what was causing his leg pain but also discovered that he had a carotid artery in his neck with an 85% blockage.  The carotid artery had not been discovered by any of the other doctors or specialists he had seen and this life-threatening blockage required immediate surgery.

About three weeks later, after the immediate surgery on his neck, Dr. Subrato Deb performed a surgery on his thigh for the circulation problem he had been having.

"I had two problems solved -- one that no one even knew I had which was life threatening, he said.

"I couldnt be happier with the medical care Ive gotten at WMHS. On a personal note, Dr. Deb and his staff are some of the greatest people I have ever met.  I walk in here and they know me by my first name. I don't think that you can get better care anywhere else.

Jerry Goodwin
Cumberland

Patient Satisfaction: Rave Review of WMHS by Dr. Cindy Herzog

After one successful bout with cancer, Dr. Cindy Herzog was faced with another possible diagnosis of cancer at age 49. She turned to the Western Maryland Health System and was impressed with every aspect of her care from diagnosis to surgery to discharge.  She credits her physician, Dr. Maureen Conroy, and the outstanding staff at WMHS for helping her reach her 50th birthday.

"Im relieved and happy to get to my 50th birthday, and for a lot of that Im grateful to Western Maryland Health System. Last year I had pre-cancer.  I had outpatient diagnostic surgery biopsies in November 2010 and then I had a full hysterectomy a month later, said Dr. Herzog.

She was very impressed with the amenities that WMHS has to offer its patients.  From valet parking to discharge, each and every step of the way was efficient, easy, and comfortable thanks to a wonderful staff.

"The warm blankets and everything before surgery relieved a lot of my anxiety.  My dad loved the waiting room because it had the screen that lets him know when I was going into surgery, and when I was coming out.  Hed never seen anything like that before and that kind of relieved his anxieties, she said.

She also noted that her father, who has gone through many surgery at many different facilities, "had never seen such nurses that will bend over backwards to help you.

"They made me laugh.. A lot of times they were laughing with me, and kept my spirits up and I think that helps with healing, she said.  Having dealt with the stress of a health scare before, she added, "nobody wants to go into a hospital but every experience at the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center has been wonderful and very positive.

With all of this available here, she doesnt find the need to have to go downstate for anything.  In fact, she has heard of patients who have traveled for healthcare that have been referred back to the Western Maryland Health System.

"This year since I turned 50 there are certain diagnostic tests you take.  Ill be coming back to Western Maryland Health System, but I dont have any anxiety about it because I know the doctors and nurses there will take good care of me, Dr. Herzog concluded with confidence.

Dr. Cindy Herzog
Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Frostburg State University

Patient Jeff Stump Recommends WMHS in a Heartbeat  

When Jeff Stump became short of breath doing everyday things around the house, he assumed it was just part of getting older.  Once simple tasks like carrying baskets of laundry now required him to take breaks and catch his breath.

When the time came for him to go overseas with his National Guard Unit, he was startled to find that he did not pass his physical.

"I was supposed to go to Iraq with my National Guard unit and thats when they found it.  I failed my physical and they sent me for more tests.  They sent me to Dr. Kullkarni and he told me I wasnt going anywhere, he said.

"Dr. Kullkarni really sat me down and took me step by step with what was going on.  He showed me everything and thats what really woke me up.  He wanted Dr. Nelson to look at me.  He told me I had severe regurgitation of my mitrovalve.  I saw Dr. Nelson in August and had the surgery in October.

Mr. Stump holds Dr. Nelson in a high regard and said that if he ever needs cardiac surgery again, he would come to Dr. Nelson in a heartbeat.

During his stay in the Cardiovascular Unit, he never experienced a problem or wanted for anything.  He stated that the nurses were always checking on him and were very responsive to the call button. 

Mr. Stump recommends WMHS to anyone.  He said that over the years he has been with several family members as they received cardiac care at other facilities.

"Ive seen other Heart Units around the region and state and WMHS is top notch compared to them, he said.  When asked what advice he would give to people facing heart surgery, Stump recommends first and foremost to listen and follow the instructions that the doctors and nurses give you.  He also said watching what you eat and taking care of yourself is crucial.

Since the surgery, Mr. Stump has been able to get back to his old activities like coaching middle school basketball and working out. 

"Im running up and down the basketball court coaching 8th graders.  I work out 2-3 days a week.  I have a gym in my garage, he noted.

"I come back about 4-5 months to see the nurses.  They tell me to walk in anytime I want to.  Its been over a year and they still remember me.  Theyre awesome people.  They saved my life.

Jeff Stump
Cumberland, MD

Share your WMHS success story with us!  Contact Tracey Clark, Marketing Specialist in the Community Relations Department, at 240-964-8023 or by e-mail at tclark@wmhs.com.