Jane Jernigan - “You Have to Ask Yourself”

(Continued)

She was particularly impressed by UNC's multidisciplinary cancer clinic. It's organized so patients see all of their doctors at the same place on the same day. "It's wonderful that you don't have to go to the hospital a number of times to see the different doctors and have the various tests. They have it set up so that it's all done on one day. And you don't have to wait several days to find out test results or treatment options. They talk to you about it before you leave. Then, they assign you a nurse you can call 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

Based on her own experience, Jane knows that a positive attitude is a powerful tool in fighting cancer. "When you are diagnosed, you go through several stages: You're overwhelmed, you're mad, you're sad, you rebel, and finally you accept. Then you have to ask yourself what you're going to do about it. Are you going to sit back and give up or work hard to fight it?"

She says the doctors and staff at UNC help patients to stay optimistic and fight. "They're so positive themselves, and that's what you need as a patient. They give you so much support. And you can call them at any time. I just can't say enough about them."

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