Finding
THE RIGHT WORDS TO LIVE BY
IN ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LETTERS TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS, CONCETTA
DILEO CHOOSES ONE WORD TO SUM UP THE YEAR. IN 2014, THAT WORD
WAS “PRESERVATION” BECAUSE SHE SPENT A LOT OF TIME TAKING CARE
But the personal touches were what
lifted Concetta’s spirits the most.
“My friend and I had lymphoma at
the same time,” she said. “After two
OF HERSELF WITH CANCER. SHE NEVER THOUGHT OF LYMPHOMA, AS A
years, she got hers back. When I was
PERMANENT PART OF HER, IT WAS SOMETHING SHE NEEDED TO ATTEND
feeling fatigued, I wondered if it were
the same for me. I shared my concern
TO, NURTURE, AND GET PAST.
One thing that comforted Concetta
with my oncologist. Because of my
were her experiences with competent,
concern, right after the blood results
caring doctors at Straub Medical Center.
came back, Dr. Ian Okazaki had his
When they diagnosed a growth on her
assistant Gemma call me to say
nose, they detected a tumor on her
everything was OK. I really appreciated
optic nerve. Treating it saved her
his sensitivity and the results made
eyesight. Concetta also loved being
me very happy.”
able to dance a couple of weeks after
Concetta has always given to Straub
her hip surgeries. She has a tremendous
as a way of showing appreciation
amount of confidence in the
for her wonderful care. Recently she
physicians at Straub.
donated money for a new training and
conference room for the bone and
joint center in honor of orthopedic
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