Cheering her on: Madison's palliative care journey
"It’s extra care, and an extra person on your team who wants to see you feel better. And it’s not just for cancer patients. This is someone who is going to look out for you and do anything possible to help you."
Madison Alderman Sentara palliative care patient
Madison Alderman’s bright blue eyes light up and her smile broadens when asked to describe her palliative care experience. "I like to think of them as another fan rooting for the team – and I’m the team!" she shares.
Alderman, a 26-year old dental assistant and self-professed “dog mom” of two Doberman Pinchers, was diagnosed with a rare ovarian cancer a month after her 24th birthday. "It was a real eye opener for me," she says, "But I felt I was in good hands, and that made me feel so much better. They went through step by step
with me about the care I would receive."
Starting palliative care
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses designed to improve their quality of life. A specially trained team of providers, nurses, and others working together provides an extra layer of support. This type of care is focused on relieving the symptoms and stress caused by severe illness, helping
plot out the future course of the illness and making complex medical problems easier to understand.
About a year and a half into her treatment, Alderman’s oncologist, Dr. Robert C. Squatrito, suggested she try palliative care. He felt it might benefit her as she sometimes struggled with day-to-day tasks such as eating and showering.
"I never know what the day will be like until I wake up. Some days, I get up feeling great and full of energy. Other days, I’m run down with little energy and I’m hurting. And that’s where palliative care comes in – it has helped improve my day to day living.”
She credits palliative care with making a difference in her quality of life. Alderman says, “Palliative care pinpointed each problem and what to do about it. Whatever symptoms I was having, they were able to help with that. I’ve had more good days than bad days since starting palliative care.”
"Bonus care"
Palliative care is sometimes confused with hospice care and may be scary for patients who are not familiar with it. But Alderman wants others to know that it isn’t scary, instead it’s helpful.
"This isn’t end of life care," explains Alderman. "I don’t want people to think 'I’ve hit rock bottom’ if it’s suggested for them. No, you can get this care anytime during your illness."
More than an appointment
Catherine Emerick, NP-C, is Alderman’s provider at Sentara Palliative Care Services located in the Sentara Brock Cancer Center.
"She supports me. She wants to do whatever she can to see me succeed. Anytime I have doubts or questions, she’s very comforting. She doesn’t just give me an answer but breaks it down, so I really understand. She’s been wonderful," says Alderman of her interactions with Emerick.
And when she’s not feeling up to an in-person office visit, Alderman makes telehealth appointments with Emerick.
Members of the Sentara Palliative Care team take the time to get to know their patients on a deeper level. Alderman says as a result, Emerick really understands the ups and downs of her health journey.
"It’s so much more than just an appointment. She has the time to figure out what she can do to make me feel better. if I need to get something off my chest or if I have something I want to talk about, she’s all ears."
Alderman has struggled with depression at times since her diagnosis. She appreciates Emerick checking in with her often on the topic of her mental health.
"She’ll ask me… 'Are you getting out of bed, showering, etc.' Asks what I’m doing to keep myself busy. She’s a friend in this," adds Alderman. Sentara Palliative Care specialists also offer Licensed Clinical Social Workers for additional therapy if desired.
Currently taking part in a clinical trial, Alderman says she has high hopes of returning to her job in a couple of months. "For now, I’m spending a lot of time with my family and my animals - including my farm cats and ducks," she laughs.
She hopes anyone considering palliative care will be open to the benefits she’s experienced, saying, "It’s extra care, and an extra person on your team who wants to see you do better. And it's not just for cancer patients. This is someone who is going to look out for you and do anything possible to help you."