Top-Notch Cancer Care
Southeast Missouri Hospital: Committed to Cancer Care
Southeast Missouri Hospital’s new $33 million Regional Cancer Center is slated for a December 2010 opening on the Hospital’s West Campus near I-55.
“The new center will offer patients the most technologically advanced clinical services in a comfortable, inviting setting,” says Joseph P. Miller, MD, Chairman of Southeast’s Cancer Committee.
Southeast’s history of providing excellent care to cancer patients and their families goes back to 1967 when the Hospital installed the region’s first teletherapy unit for radiation therapy treatment. The new Regional Cancer Center will feature a fluid design, world class technology and highly trained and skilled staff of physicians and other healthcare personnel.
Each year, the dedicated clinicians at Southeast treat more than 700 cancer patients from throughout the region. Southeast’s cancer program is Accredited with Commendation by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer.
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Burnies and Wilma Dees of Brewer, MO have been through a lot together in the 55 years they’ve been married, but they never imagined they’d have to endure something as difficult as this.
In mid-February, a biopsy showed Burnies had lung cancer, and, just seven weeks later, Wanda was told she had throat cancer. As terrifying as this news was, they decided to “accept it and get through it” says Burnies.
In March, Burnies started six weeks of radiation therapy at Southeast Missouri Hospital’s Regional Cancer Center under the care of Joseph P. Miller, MD. Treatments were five days a week and lasted no more than 15 minutes, he says.
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Cancer survivor Burnies Dees stands outside his home |
“I didn’t feel any pain or discomfort,” he adds. After 30 treatments, his radiation therapy ended. In May, a CT scan performed by Dr. Miller showed that Burnies’ cancer was breaking up.
“Dr. Miller said he was pleased with the results, and if he’s pleased, I’m pleased,” says Burnies. “I’m very confident in what Southeast Hospital has done for me.”
Notes Dr. Miller, “With the addition of more accurate treatment planning technology, physicians can better optimize radiation dose distributions, which means a shorter treatment time for the patient. At Southeast Missouri Hospital, we are committed to providing quality care for patients with cancer.”
Burnies and Wilma have been coming to Southeast for more than 50 years. Both say the staff feel “like family” and are very thankful for the “good support” they have received. Wilma is still undergoing treatment.
“The healing process is as much our responsibility as it is theirs,” says Burnies. “We’re going to get through this with the help of the Lord.”