Kathy Wood - “Notebook of Questions”

Kathy Wood, Raleigh, NC

Rubbing her pectoral muscles after a strenuous hike, Kathy Wood found a lump. It was the first indication she had of a fast-growing breast cancer.

Wood chose UNC because of its reputation as a great women's hospital, but she was most impressed with the team approach. "I know from the business world that teams make better decisions, so I really liked the fact that they had all doctors and nurses looking at my pathology."

That was important to her. "I felt like I was getting a treatment plan that was just for me, not every other patient who walks through the door."

Unfortunately, Wood's cancer metastized and she returned to UNC for treatment in the Neuro-Oncology Program.

Again, she benefited from the team approach.

"I really appreciate that they work together with each other and with me to fight this cancer as hard as we can," Wood says. "I'm one of the patients who comes in with a notebook of questions," she says. "And Dr. (Matt) Ewend and his team go through them with me one by one patiently. They listen. They laugh if I make a joke. They give me time – and I need that. I want to know what's going on in my head. I’ve never felt rushed."

That, coupled with the team's cross-functional approach and depth of knowledge, is why she came back to UNC for her brain cancer treatments. "You can't get better care than what you get at UNC," she said.