Methodist Charlton Medical Center
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Summer 2014
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Discovering a diagnosis
“I believe women facing breast cancer need to be empowered,”
Hallum says. “Knowledge is power, so the more knowledge
I can give them, the more successful they’ll be in their
treatment process.”
Hallum begins imparting that knowledge — and a decent
dose of empowerment — from early on in a patient’s cancer
journey, making herself available to patients as a resource, a
guide, and support.
“Some patients are young and working; some are single
moms; some are in low-income situations,” Hallum says.
“We discuss everything — medical allergies, family issues,
transportation concerns, child care, finances. I try to assess
all those factors and connect women with the support and
assistance they need.”
Such was the case for Shilling, who was ultimately
diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer that had spread to both
her lymph nodes and lungs — a devastating diagnosis with a
discouraging prognosis.
“My husband, Richard, and I believe God put Vicki in
our lives,” Shilling says. “She was with us every step of the
way, from my mammogram through the biopsy and surgeries.
She answered questions we had about procedures, next steps,
and the whole process. Most important, she was there for us
as a friend.”
Charting a course for treatment
That “whole process” can be overwhelming and intimidating. To
streamline care, a roundtable of oncology specialists from Texas
Oncology – Methodist Charlton Cancer Center and Methodist
Charlton gathers semimonthly to create individualized care
plans for each patient.
Hallum helps women understand these care plans and
incorporate them into their busy lives as moms, wives, and
professionals. She is there for their surgeries and their first
chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
“The fear of not knowing what’s going on is the worst fear
they can experience, so all patients have my direct line to call me
and ask questions,” Hallum says.
“I can tell them we have a plan, that we can treat breast
cancer. I can help decompress their fears and give them direction
and hope.”
Life after cancer
Shilling has been cancer-free since October
2012. Looking back on her journey, she
knows that God used Hallum and the nurse
navigation program in her healing process.
The experience even inspired her to become
a pastor and start Pampering and Hope
Women’s Ministry for women facing cancer,
crisis, and other illness.
“God used many people in my healing
process: my husband, my church family at
Crossroads of Life Assembly of God, the
doctors and nurses, the Methodist Charlton
medical staff, and Vicki,” she says. “God
still works miracles today, and I am the
living proof.”
“I believe God put
Vicki in our lives.
She was with us
every step of the
way.”
— Marsha Shilling
