Yes, I know it gets old waiting. But this last surgery will have two surgeons present. Dr. Rod Flynn, and Dr. Timothy Sherwood. Now, how easy do you think it is to get two specialist in the same OR at the same time? Yeah, I thought so. But they better hurry up, I have a wedding cake and grooms cake to do and I need to be healed up to do them. May have to get Gweedo after them. LOL! Just kidding folks.
I got to thinking it may be nice to "introduce" my Virginia Dream Team. A great group of doctors who planned and executed my treatment. Their individual support staffs are just as talented as they are, from the receptionists to the nurses. Top notch treatment. (I'll introduce you to the Cleveland Clinic Team in another post, they are from my 2003 dance with cancer).
Meet the dream team, in order as I met them:
Doctor Rod Flynn, surgical oncologist.
He is a hoot, quick with an infectious smile. Great doctor, great bedside manner. Takes his time to actually talk to you and explain things. If you don't understand, ask questions, he answers them, and not in terms that are over your head.
He will laugh and joke with you, but when it is time to get serious, he does. When I first met him I told him that I didn't want to shit or piss in a bag. He tilted his head and said "Oh, girls from Cleveland are a bit earthy." But he took it in stride.
He has the cutest two year old!! Ask him to show you the picture!!
The staff is wonderful. His PA, Kevin is a sweetheart. Caring, concerned for the patients well being. Just wonderful.
And the staff that works with them are fantastic. Quick with a smile, if you have a problem with something they are quick to help find the answer. Amazing staff. Here is a link to learn a bit more: Dr. Rod Flynn and staff They need to put a picture of Kevin in there and info on him.
Dr. Christopher Vaughn, Medical Oncologist
Through Dr. Flynn, I was given an appointment with Dr. Christopher Vaughn, oncologist (my chemo doctor).
Kind, sort of soft spoken, a bit reserved, kind of reminds me of Wilson from House MD. Great smile, and his expressions tell all. When he is serious, serious, his face shows it. Not in a bad way though, so it doesn't cause you to worry. He is another doctor that explains what the treatment plans are, what the possible side effects will be, he listens to your concerns.
All the doctors at Hematology Oncology Associates of Fredricksburg are great.
The staff of nurses and office staff are wonderful. Right there when you need a question answered, helping to find a solution to a problem. And trust me the nurses can handle emergencies in a calm, cool, collected manner. My second day of chemo proved that, and I got an ambulance ride out of it. LOL! Here is a link to learn a bit more (well they don't have a huge site, but a few pictures of the building that looks like a ski lodge where I went for chemo) Hematology Oncology Associates of Fredricksburg
Dr. John Chinault. Radiation Oncology.
Part of the Cancer Center of Virginia. Unfortunately I can't find a web address for them other than the list of doctors that is on the Mary Washing site.
Dr. Chinault has a touch of a southern drawl. Not much at all, really. It is just a couple of words that have the faintest of faint drawls. Really nice. Easy going, explains things that will happen. Someone you feel comfortable with.
In 2003 I had radiation, and I had a huge radiation burn, purple and red, burned like a bitch (by the way NEVER put Solarcane on a radiation burn), and oozed. Really disgusting. This time? No burn, no pain from a burn, no oozing. Fantastic!!!
The staff there is awesome too. The folks that do the treatments rock. They are caring, they will laugh with you, and cry with you. The nursing staff is just as caring, and the office staff is stellar.
Dr. Timothy Sherwood, Thoracic Surgeon
Dr. Sherwood is talented, and you can't help but smile when he is. He makes sure you feel comfortable and tells you up front what to expect. He will listen to your concerns, and addresses them. And he has a beautiful wife, and some great looking kids, four of them!! He is a family man lots of pictures in his office, and I think that helps when a patient is sitting there discussing treatment. You see he has a family, and he understands that you are worried for your family.
The staff is another example of a great staff. Both office and nursing. Need something, they do their best to handle it as quickly as humanly possible.
Meet Dr. Sherwood. Dr. Sherwood
If you click on the links on this page there are youtube videos of Dr. Sherwood and Dr. Flynn. Mary Washington - Dr. Flynn & Dr. Sherwood video links Oh yeah, there is a picture of Dr. Flynn and Dr. Sherwood in the title bar, one of the sliders, who ever did the photoshop work of putting Dr. Flynn next to Dr. Sherwood did a great job. The OR pic is the same one that is on the Thoracic Surgery Program page. Yes, I notice things like that.
I have said this before, the nursing staff at Mary Washington Hospital is top notch. Caring, concerned, can handle anything. Every nurse I met is a 100% A plus plus sweetheart of a nurse.
From the cleaning staff, to the food staff, to the volunteers. Polite, caring, do their jobs efficiently, and well. Always taking the time to be sure the patient is first.
Going through the cancer for a second time, I am glad I was here in Stafford, and had my "Dream Team" and their staffs treating me, and if I had to be hospitalized (and I did so many times people accused me of confusing Mary Washington in Fredricksburg with a vacation home. LOL!)
I don't think I could have been in better hands.
