Fighting Cancer…15 Minutes From Home
Barry has called Central Nebraska home for over 50 years.
He and his wife, Colleen, worked and raised their family in the tri-cities and have resided in Grand Island for the past 37 years.
Last spring, routine tests revealed highly abnormal counts in Barry’s blood.
“My local primary care doctor referred me to a nephrologist – a kidney doctor. I was pleased one was located in Grand Island. I met with her, and the tests she ran indicated possible cancer,” remembers Barry.
“The nephrologist referred me to Dr. David Crockett at Nebraska Cancer Specialists – again, right here in Grand Island. At our first meeting, Dr. Crockett also suspected cancer based on my lab work. However, I needed a bone marrow biopsy to be sure. I was scheduled the next day for that procedure – right here in Grand Island,” reflects Barry.
The waiting in between results and appointments is one of the most difficult parts of a cancer journey. Being so close to home for doctor’s visits, appointments, and procedures allowed Barry and his family to get results and answers quickly.
The bone marrow biopsy revealed Barry had cancer. Barry was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma – a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. His type of cancer required immediate treatment.
“My first meeting with Dr. Crockett, biopsy, and results all occurred within the last week of May. Dr. Crockett knew exactly what treatment was needed, and I began June 6, 2023,” says Barry. All of these things were accessible within 15 minutes of his home.
Beginning treatment close to home meant his wife and his family could be there every step of the way. Barry began weekly visits to the infusion center for eight weeks. Immediately, his numbers improved. His treatments then decreased to every other week, and now Barry only goes once a month.
“This cancer is not curable, but it is highly treatable,” says Barry.
“I walked out of there feeling positive,” says Barry. “The Nebraska Cancer Specialists have the tools to keep the cancer under control for many years to come.”
Nebraska Cancer Specialists offered the Schochenmaier’s more than just first-rate medical care. “Lisa Montanez came to us the first day we were at NCS. Lisa is a patient financial advocate and helped us receive a grant from the Healthwell Foundation to go towards our medical expenses,” says Barry. “Lisa took care of it all – and continues to check up on us to make sure we’re okay financially.”
Looking back on this past year, Barry is profoundly grateful for the treatment he’s received at NCS.
“If I could advise anyone who is diagnosed with cancer, it would be to trust your doctors. The NCS doctors in Central Nebraska are all on top of it.”
“Rebecca, Dr. Crockett’s nurse, gave us a printout after our first appointment with everything the doctor went over. We also received a printed calendar with every appointment on it, so we didn’t have to keep track of it all on our own,” says Colleen. The Schochenmaiers also have access to NCS’s patient portal to see lab results and appointment summaries quickly.
“I’ve learned because of this that I’m not afraid of the word cancer anymore because it’s just there,” says Barry.
“I would recommend NCS to anyone – not only because they have access to the best and latest treatments, but also because they truly care about you. From the front desk to the nurses and of course, the doctors, they make you feel like family.”
Barry will continue his treatments to keep his cancer under control. Right now it is a once a month injection that’s easy to fit in since NCS is minutes from his home.
“I still check in with Dr. Crockett, too, so he can monitor my lab work,” says Barry. “But now, at these appointments, Dr. Crockett says, ‘Well, Barry, we don’t’ have anything to talk about today.’”
