In honor of Dr. Fran Collichio
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2004. My entire team, Dr. David Ollilia, Dr. Fran Collichio, and Dr. Carolyn Sartor saved my life with surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation.
But Dr. Collichio will always have a special place in my heart because she touched it. She gave me comfort when I needed it most. I would see her in clinic just prior to my infusion. I was feeling weary, scared and so emotional. When she walked into the examination room that day and asked how I was, I just broke down crying. She sat down, patted my hand and said “Sounds to me you just need a little TLC.” And that is exactly what she gave me.
There are some things, medicine just can’t provide. Thank you Fran.
I also remember having to have my 1st infusion in the basement of Gravely. It was an awful setting for people going through something equally awful, in a situation you never wanted to be.
I hope never to go through it again, but thank you for this wonderful place in case I do and for everyone else who will.