Marilyn Lobsinger is ready to travel again, now that she completed cancer treatment.
The 78-year-old rang the bell at Jamestown Regional Medical Center (JRMC). She is the 20th graduate of the JRMC Cancer Center.
JRMC partnered with Sanford Health’s Roger Maris Cancer Center in 2019. Since opening, the cancer center has saved more than 500,000 miles of travel.
Lobsinger’s journey began in 2016, when she experienced pain in her abdomen. Doctors diagnosed her with cancer of the colon. Surgeries and oral chemotherapy followed.
The retired nurse said she felt support immediately, especially from her friends, neighbors and two grown children.
“I really believe there’s help in prayer,” she said. “And I’ve had lots of those.”
In 2020, Lobsinger thought treatment was complete and she could move forward with life. She remembers feeling good.
That’s when the cancer returned. She needed treatment every three weeks.
Doctors performed surgery on her ovaries, fallopian tubes and abdomen in January 2021. A year later, surgeons operated on her small intestine and abdomen.
Chemotherapy treatments began in March 2022 and occurred every other week. Lobsinger’s treatment allowed her to receive chemo through a Computerized Ambulatory Delivery Device (CADD pump).
CADD pumps contain a person’s chemotherapy. The pump fits inside a fanny-pack-like bag worn around a patient’s waist. These pumps help individuals like Lobsigner to receive controlled amounts of chemo slowly, over a longer amount of time. CADD pumps also allow individuals to complete much of their infusions at home.
For Lobsinger, that meant 24 appointments at the JRMC Cancer Center. Half on Mondays to get the pump put in, and half on Wednesdays to get the pump taken out. Registered Nurse Garret Hillius removed the CADD pump for the final time Thursday. He joked with her, asking if she’d like to keep the bag as a souvenir.
“I want to be rid of that thing,” she said with a smile. “I don’t ever want to see it again.”
2,400 miles of travel
In all, the 24 visits to JRMC saved Lobsinger about 2,400 miles of travel. Lobsinger said she prefers not to ask family and friends for help. However, after her first diagnosis and before the cancer center opened, she did request rides to Fargo. The chemo made her too sick to drive.
Receiving care in Jamestown meant she could often drive herself. Plus, she enjoyed the comforts of the healing space, like naturally-lit rooms, SMART TVs and simple snacks. Over time, she even built relationships with the cancer care team.
“Everyone here has been wonderful,” she said. “They become your friends.”
The community of Jamestown also offers care and resources. In addition to raising the $1.7 million to build the cancer center, residents of Jamestown and the surrounding region continue to support the cancer center and the patients within it.
Lobsinger remembers receiving a gas card in the mail.
It was from the Jamestown Cancer Support group. The Jamestown Cancer Support group fundraises each year to provide gas cards and items of comfort to people like Lobsinger.
“I’m totally grateful,” she said.
On her final visit, Lobsinger brought her dear friend, Shirley Labor.
“I marvel at Marilyn – that she went through this the way she did,” Labor said. “She has a strong faith and I admire that. She’s a trooper.”
The two got lunch together after the bell-ringing.
“You have lots to celebrate and look forward to now,” said Oncology Nurse Practitioner Laura Bond.
Moving forward, Lobsigner said she hopes to travel again. She has a two-month trip to Florida planned for later this year.
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