Sue Burns worked as a registered nurse in Exeter Hospital’s Progressive Care Unit (PCU) since it opened. In addition to serving as an employee at Exeter for 33 years, she is also a grateful patient. When Sue came down with an illness that she initially thought was the flu, she sought care at Exeter. She credits her nurse practitioner, Laura Dhima, APRN, for getting the chest x-rays that revealed the mass in her lungs. After undergoing surgery in Boston, Sue received radiation and chemotherapy at Exeter’s Center for Cancer Care.
“I always knew Exeter Hospital was a great place, with great people,” she reflects. “But it wasn’t until I became a patient that I experienced the amazing care that everyone there provided. Not just the clinical staff, but from the receptionists to the housekeepers, everyone went out of their way to make sure I was comfortable and supported, whether it was bringing me a warm blanket or giving me a hug in the hallway. I felt very blessed that I didn’t have to travel to Boston for my radiation and chemotherapy treatments.”
Sue is very grateful for her physicians, including her pulmonologist John Brennan, MD, medical oncologist YongLi Ji, MD, PhD, and radiation oncologist Gary Proulx, MD. She appreciates all the support from her PCU and ICU family, who sent her more than 100 cards, as well as numerous texts and other encouraging messages during treatment. Sue’s co-worker Sam Cunha, RN, came up with the idea to create a team to participate in the United in Wellness Cancer Walk and Trick or Treat Trot 5K to support her. The team, which included staff from the PCU, ICU, and more, walked in Sue’s honor.
“I knew they were forming a team, and of course, I joined it, but I only later realized they did it in honor of me. I was so moved by this!” said Sue, tearing up. “The Cancer Walk was just a few days before my last chemo treatment.”
“I am so grateful for all the people who signed up to walk in my honor,” she continues, “and above all, I want to thank everyone for the wonderful care.”
