In honor of Jane Jernigan
Jane Jernigan substitute teaches at two elementary schools in Fayetteville. But her biggest job is trying to keep up with her 3-year-old twin grandsons who live nearby. It scares her to think that she might never have known them. But in 1997, before the twins were born, Jane was diagnosed with lung cancer. That’s when her doctor referred her to the cancer specialists at UNC.
Because of the location of the tumor, surgery wasn’t an option. So her doctors at UNC enrolled her in a nationwide clinical trial for an experimental course of treatment. Over the next five months, she had more than a dozen chemotherapy treatments and 37 rounds of radiation.
Seven years later, Jane’s doing great. She continues to be in awe of the team of doctors, nurses and technicians involved in her care. “The whole group up there is just absolutely, tee-totally unbelievable. They are the most professional and caring people I have ever seen. And it doesn’t matter who you are; they treat everybody the same way, like you’re part of their family.”
She was particularly impressed by UNC’s multidisciplinary cancer clinic. It’s organized so patients see all of their doctors at the same place on the same day. “It’s wonderful that you don’t have to go to the hospital a number of times to see the different doctors and have the various tests. They have it set up so that it’s all done on one day. And you don’t have to wait several days to find out test results or treatment options. They talk to you about it before you leave. Then, they assign you a nurse you can call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Based on her own experience, Jane knows that a positive attitude is a powerful tool in fighting cancer. “When you are diagnosed, you go through several stages: You’re overwhelmed, you’re mad, you’re sad, you rebel, and finally you accept. Then you have to ask yourself what you’re going to do about it. Are you going to sit back and give up or work hard to fight it?”
She says the doctors and staff at UNC help patients to stay optimistic and fight. “They’re so positive themselves, and that’s what you need as a patient. They give you so much support. And you can call them at any time. I just can’t say enough about them.”