Sherry Selfe moved to Licking County in 2001 to be closer to her aging parents who live in Buckeye Lake.  She had been living in Massachusetts with her husband, Robert, and four children, Theresa, Andrew, Kathryn and Elizabeth Erin.  As the family settled in, they formed strong bonds within the Newark community.

After emergency surgery to remove a kidney stone, Sherry visited her primary care physician, Charles L. Geiger, D.O., of Licking Memorial Family Practice.  During the visit, she told Dr. Geiger she would like to schedule her follow-up thyroid ultrasound.  During the ultrasound, the technician noted several enlarged lymph nodes in the right side of Sherry’s neck.  After a needle biopsy was performed, Sherry was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in May 2019.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system that helps fight infections.  The lymphatic system also assists in controlling the flow of fluids in the body and is made up mainly of cells called lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.  Hodgkin’s lymphoma causes cells in the lymphatic system to grow abnormally and can start almost anywhere in the body.  The abnormal cells are most often discovered in lymph nodes in the upper part of the body.  The most common sites include the chest, neck or under the arms.  Hodgkin’s lymphoma typically spreads through the lymph vessels between lymph nodes. 

Sherry’s cancer had been detected in the early stages of the disease, and she was hopeful that treatment would be successful.  She began visiting Aruna C. Gowda, M.D., at the Licking Memorial Hematology/Oncology clinic.  “At first, the treatments seemed easy and everything went well,” Sherry said.  “Dr. Gowda was amazing to me.  She explained the process and was very kind and encouraging.”  However, after six months of ABVD chemotherapy, the cancer remained.  “Dr. Gowda felt I needed a stem cell transplant.  She contacted The Ohio State University (OSU) Comprehensive Cancer Center and collaborated with their staff to schedule the procedure.”  

Sherry was admitted to OSU on March 27, 2020, just after stay-at-home orders were issued.  At that time, many hospitals changed visitation policies to stop the spread of COVID-19; therefore, she had to undergo the entire transplant process without a support person or visitors.  “Dr. Gowda and many of the staff members from the Oncology Department called regularly to check on me and get updates on my progress.  Even though it was difficult being isolated, I felt the support of the people who had been so integral in my care,” Sherry said.  “Dr. Gowda worked hand-in-hand with the healthcare professionals at OSU, and I was able to return to Licking Memorial Hospital for follow-up care and laboratory tests.”  
During a maintenance chemotherapy treatment in August, Sherry became extremely ill.  She was admitted to the LMH Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where they discovered she was having a toxic reaction to the medication.  “The Oncology Department staff are an absolutely remarkable team.  They were always by my side, checking on me and visiting me in the ICU.  I know they saved my life.”
Sherry is working part-time now and continuing her recovery.  “I have hair again and am feeling better,” she said.  She had to wait until December to receive a scan to determine the results of the stem cell transplant and maintenance chemotherapy.  At that time, Sherry was told the cancer was not progressing, but she was not in remission.  Dr. Gowda and the Oncology team continue monitoring Sherry’s health.

Sherry’s friends, Megan Weaver and Amy Gartner, understood that medical bills could quickly become overwhelming to Sherry as she continued to receive care for cancer.  Adding to the financial concerns of the family, three of Sherry and Robert’s children are attending college in different states.  Megan and Amy rallied the Licking Valley community to host a virtual cake auction due to the pandemic as a fundraiser to pay for insurance premiums and other expenses.  The women also obtained assistance for Sherry thorough Volley for the Cure – a volleyball-based fundraising organization that focuses on local families fighting cancer.  “My friends and the Licking Valley community have been incredibly supportive.  I was overwhelmed and grateful for the outpouring of support and generosity,” Sherry said.

LMH, through a relationship with the Columbus NCI Community Oncology Program (NCORP), offers a comprehensive cancer treatment program and long-term follow-up care for adults with cancer which is unique for a community hospital.  The Hematology/Oncology Department has been continuously accredited by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer (CoC) since 2000.  In 2018, the CoC granted a three-year approval with commendations to the program, indicating that LMH demonstrates compliance with all mandatory standards for organizational and operational elements. The Department also is a proud recipient of the Commission on Cancer’s Outstanding Achievement Award.