Mary Bostic
Mary Bostic was diagnosed with breast cancer and had an unexpectedly positive reaction during a tour of the facility.
When Mary Bostic was given a tour of the treatment center where she would undergo six rounds of chemotherapy in the coming weeks, the newly diagnosed breast cancer patient had an unexpected reaction. Seeing mostly women patients chatting, reading, napping and being attended to in their line of lounge-chair-like recliners, Mary quipped: “This looks like the spa!”
From that day on, “The Spa” is what the talkative and upbeat psychology instructor and grandmother of three called the place she would spend hours in battling her Stage 3 cancer. Mary’s glass-half-full attitude, combined with the skill and compassion of the staff at HCA HealthONE Mountain Ridge, helped smooth her way through what can be a daunting process. “I told so many people: I’ve never felt so pampered in my life,” Mary says.
Facing chemotherapy, mastectomy, radiation and reconstruction, Mary had an overload of decisions and appointments ahead. But the Brighton resident rarely had to dial a number. “I didn’t set up any appointments. They just did it. Honest to goodness!” she says, adding that her main advocate was Stacey Gates, an oncology nurse navigator whose chief role involves guiding patients through the medical process. “She called me all the time and checked on me. She talked with the doctors, and made appointments,” Mary says. “She made sure I didn’t have to do anything. It was amazing.”
“I don’t know how you can be afraid with these amazing people. They were always there for me.” — Mary Bostic, HCA HealthONE Mountain Ridge Patient