A FIGHTING
SYSTEM NEWS
Temple oncology program recognized for excellence
or the fourth consecutive
review cycle, the Commisson
on Cancer (CoC), a Quality
Porgram of the American College of
Surgeons, awarded the Outstanding
Achievement Award (OAA) to the Glenda
Tanner Vasicek Cancer Treatment
Center at Baylor Scott & White Medical
Center - Temple. Temple is one of just
four medical centers in Texas who were
recognized at this elite level in 2019.
“The OAA recognizes the outstanding
effort and commitment by your entire
cancer program, including both the
clinical and administrative staff, for
providing high-quality cancer care to
your patients,” said the CoC award letter.
“The CoC is proud of your achievements
and applauds you and your staff for your
outstanding efforts.”
PATIENT PROFILE
Sometimes, laughter is the best medicine
ike many other members of
her family, Linda Frick is no
stranger to cancer. Within six
years, she underwent treatment for three
separate cancers.
In 2006, Mrs. Frick had a
hysterectomy to treat endometrial
cancer. Four years later, a routine
colonoscopy revealed Stage I colorectal
cancer. Unfortunately, Linda’s body did
not respond well after surgery to remove
the tumor. For the next year, she battled
a wound infection that required almost
daily visits to the hospital.
This pattern of complications
resurfaced in 2012 when doctors
discovered a larger Stage III tumor, with
a different cell structure, on the opposite
side of her colon. Again, Mrs. Frick’s body
did not respond well to surgery. With a
surgical wound that was slow to heal,
she began chemotherapy. While under
treatment, she battled an infection at a
previous surgical site as well as a blood
clot in her lung. “They say it takes a village
to raise a child—well, it took the whole
hospital to put me back together,” Mrs.
Frick jokes.
Through multiple surgeries, lifethreatening
complications, and grueling
chemotherapy, Mrs. Frick found a way to
smile. She laughed at herself and teased
her doctors and nurses. In fact, Mrs. Frick
was known for her playful pranks on her
caregivers. “One of my favorites involved
a motion-activated cackling witch that
I kept hidden in my bed. It would go off
every time they came near me,” she says.
Though her cancer journey was
difficult, Mrs. Frick says her husband and
her care team kept her positive. “Our
cancer care is unique because the people
are so upbeat; it just rubs off on you,” she
says. “The cancer was a terrible experience,
but my care was a wonderful experience.”
Click here to read more about Linda’s story.
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THE COMPASS / BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE CENTRAL TEXAS FOUNDATION NEWS / SUMMER 2020