Bobbie Fisher and Judy Baker

Judy: When we found out the diagnosis was cancer, there was never any discussion about sending mom to anyone other than Dr. Stark. We knew mom would love him. We felt so confident about the way he and his staff embraced mother. We knew this was going to be difficult, but we knew he was going to take us through it.

Bobbie: I absolutely believe we had an extra year with her. The care that Judy and I got was just as big a part of the care plan for mom. He made us feel like we were her advocates.

Judy: He was such a champion for her. She had a great personality and we didn’t want her to lose that. Jim and his staff were great at allowing mom to be herself and instill in her the idea that she was living with this, not dying from cancer. He told us, “I am never going to let your mom have any pain, ever.” It was easier for us because of the care that she received and it wasn’t just clinical – there were hugs and candy. He didn’t allow her to give up.

Bobbie: I don’t do tunnels. Mom lives close to DePaul. I’m close to Norfolk General. It would have been very east to take her someone else, but that was my mom and you give her the best. I’ll go through tunnels for my mom.

Bobbie: How to you thank them? They gave her to us for another year. They allowed us to have a good final year with mom.

Judy: We didn’t let mother’s condition get in the way of that year, and neither did she.