Ok so, according to my family, the doctors here literally can't tell what stage (just using…read morenumbers) lung cancer is that has metastasized to the ribs and spine. They have proof of that through multiple forms of imaging including PET. My grandma is 88 years old with a trapped lung and they not only don't know the stage but told her she's not dying any time soon, not any more than I'm dying (I'm a 38 year old without cancer and my only medical conditions are PCOS and mild hypertension). Christ, I better cancel my plans for the upcoming year if that's the case. DO NOT COME HERE. GO TO A REAL HOSPITAL.

My stomach was in knots. I was a ball of stress after speaking with my Dad about my Mom's upcoming…read morebiopsy results. I couldn't sleep as anxiety clenched my heart, and consumed my thoughts. Out of no where, with no family history, my family's life came to a screeching halt. The unthinkable happened, and my Mom was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma - Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymohoma. It aggressively appeared in a short 4 weeks time, and flipped our world upside down. Her health was rapidly deteriorating, and we were grasping at straws for our next move as the news sunk in. She was diagnosed locally in South Bend, IN. My Mom remained firm on maintaining some sense of normalcy, as we prepared for her treatment plan. I did some serious research on my sleepless nights awaiting for her diagnosis to be confirmed. My Dad and I had spoken to CTCA-Zion and wanted her to come here for a second opinion. At that time, she wanted to stay home, and although we didn't like it, we honored her wishes. She thought cancer was cancer and the treatment would be the same anywhere (oh, how wrong that thinking is..). Fast-forward 6 months of local chemo treatment in South Bend. Mom's cancer was still there after her last PET scan after 6 rounds of harsh, grueling chemo. Our only option was presented to us. We were on our way to stem cell transplant (not to be taken lightly) and more, harsher chemo treatment. It was then, when my Mom was done with treatment. She refused to endure any more treatment at the South Bend hospital, and went home to, in her words, "let nature run its course." The small light of hope was diminishing, and I knew we had to turn this ship around. Her local South Bend Oncologist at that time was giving us a 3-6 month life span estimate for refusing more chemo with my Mom's aggressive cancer. The South Bend Oncologist was hardly present throughout her formal treatments that I returned home for. Overall, my family was not pleased at all with her care in South Bend. Many things were missed under the South Bend Hospital care. Cancer is not just a "cut and paste" repeat process that they were offering. I knew there was more for us. There HAD to be more. There must be better, patient centric care somewhere, right? My family wasn't done fighting, and I for one, wasn't going to accept this grim news without a fight for a second opinion. I rapidly shifted my focus to back CTCA Zion, and my Dad and I prepared for a second opinion. We completed the paperwork and I flew across the country for an emergency 48 hour visit back home to get my Mom onboard with a 2nd opinion. She finally agreed (hallelujah), and we landed here at CTCA in August 2019 with NOTHING to lose. We cleared our schedules and attended the 3 day orientation appointment, in which all accommodations were made for us. They also arranged for us to meet here team of STEM Cell unit team for their final opinion. They decided on a watch a wait method (a far cry from stem cell treatment plan the original doctor was pushing) and felt comfortable taking a cautionary monitoring period. I understand our fight is not over. I'm not so sure, it will ever "be officially over." It's our new normal we are still adjusting to. We are still in active treatment, and we hope to close this "active cancer" chapter of our life in 2020. Our decision is firm that we will receive on-going care here. The CTCA hospital and professional team take the time to know you, and your family by name. They're ready with tissues and hugs as the roller coaster of emotions ensue. They cheer for us when we get good news, and try to make us smile through the pain. They take time to know your family's story. They absolutely pour love into their treatment plan, and we feel it and see it every time we are there. The facility does not feel like a hospital. In fact, it has a warmer, dare I say "welcoming" and peaceful ambience. The caring treatment we received, to the upscale testing facilities (we get results on the spot or next day compared to having to wait a week for answers), and their whole body holistic approach; it's everything you could hope for. They understand cancer is very personal. It's full of anger, pain, helplessness, and heartache. It takes so much from your family and their team understands that. Cancer is ALL they treat here. They go above and beyond to take the stress away, so you and your family can focus on healing. Here, we have dignity through our journey. CTCA truly makes it the best possible experience that they can. They're heart is in the fight with you. They hold themselves to "the mother standard of care" -- as in they provide care as if they themselves are treating their own mother. Thank you to their phenomenal STEM Cell Unit Doctors, NPs, case mangers, hospital nurses, nutritionist, pastors, therapists, and naturopaths. CTCA has given my Mom a second chance on life. We finally have hope.

American Cntr for Spine & Neuro. 716 S MILWAUKEE AVE…read more LIBERTYVILLE, IL. 600048. June 23, 2023 8am. I am a Retired Army Veteran. I was OutSourced by the LOVELL Veterans Hospital for my excruciating, debilitating Lower Back Pain, to Dr. Alzate. This Doctor is one of the most PROFESSIONAL, and EFFECTIVE Doctors that I have ever met. His Staff is also very professional. His office location and decor is very nice. Doctor Alzate, is a doctor that does not waste your time! He gets to the point and explains what is going on with your body and then tells you .... These are the options! When you are in pain, you crave relief and TRUTH! As a 61 year old woman, he is "VERY EASY ON THE EYES", which helped me forget my pain for a few minutes! I am truly grateful for this experience with Dr. Juan Alzate.