I don't know how people feel about miracles, but it's a miracle.

By Christine Strovink

New York

May 2024

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From video transcript:

It started with an emergency. I had to have emergency surgery.  They discovered that stage four colon cancer that had spread to um my peritoneal cavity and the doctor that did the surgery knew Dr Georgakis.  [The surgeon] said, “I'll call Dr Georgakis.  He's a colleague of mine; a friend of mine and I want you to see him” and that's where my story began.

Dr. Georgakis: So we treated her with chemotherapy first and then we did a surgery for her to remove all the cancer that was left inside the abdominal cavity and give chemotherapy during the surgery she did very well after that and she continued her treatment.

Even though my case was pretty significant he was still willing to try to help me and do a surgery called a HIPEC which is a surgery that's not available in every Cancer Center, every hospital I'm so lucky anybody that knows what a HIPEC procedure is knows that it's a  serious surgery and I don't know how people feel about miracles but it's a  miracle that's available on Long Island, in Suffolk County, with a man who's done it countless times and we weren't afraid.  We weren't afraid to trust him, we just knew we were in good hands and even in our darkest times he made us laugh and gave us hope.

Dr. Georgakis: When a patient gets bad news they have cancer that is difficult to treat they feel hopeless.  You can perform any type of surgery, but what it matters is that what you perform is going to be meaningful for a patient when you fight you need to fight a good fight.  You cannot, you know, just give up you should never give up.  You can have a good team here that can help everybody not to give up.

My son was engaged at the time and I didn't know if I would be here to see him get married.  My daughter was still in late teens and I think as a mom you want to be there for your children.  My other son was still in college and Dr Georgakis has given me quality years and I wouldn't have had these opportunities without him.

I would highly recommend Stony Brook Cancer Center Dr Georgakis is part of an incredible team. I know his team loves him and trusts him and that makes the process better for us.  You really want to be confident that your surgeon is somebody like Dr Georgakis.

 So, I wrote this letter to Dr. Georgakis.  I probably should have written it sooner but I said:

Dear Dr. Georgakis,

I want to take a moment to thank you.  It has been almost 3 years that I've been blessed by you on this cancer journey. I never have the right words to express how grateful I am for your time, talent, knowledge, kindness, and brilliance.

Thank you for all the sacrifices you and your family make to give such extraordinary care to me and all of your patients.  The time you take to really listen and care is an immeasurable gift.  On my most difficult days, you have given me hope.

I heard someone say that an individual doesn't get cancer an entire family does. I believe that is true.  My family has been on this journey as well and so much has happened during this time.  Among other things, you bless me with the time to see my son Brennan marry Stephanie; my son Kyle graduate college; my daughter Katie graduated from flight attendance school.  [My husband] Eric and I celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary and so many other special memories I wouldn't have had these experiences without you.  Not only are my husband and children grateful, so is my entire family.  You have been a miracle for us I don't know what I did to deserve you as my doctor but I'm forever thankful.

Sincerely,

Chrissie