News/Media
To The Editor:
I would like to give a very personal thank you to Dr. Hank Ford and staff at Northern Maine Oral & Facial Surgery, PA for their compassion and love during the most difficult trial of my life. I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue in February 2009. The surgery ended up with removal of two-thirds of my tongue and a neck resection to remove lymph nodes, tissue, etc.
The word cancer in not a word anyone wants to hear, but Dr.Ford is a straight shooter, tells you like it is, and doesn't leave anything out. His encouraging words spoke of life and a positive attitude. He and his staff hugged and comforted me and they didn't rush out of the room to see the next patient. It was more important to spend the extra time with me. From the moment of diagnosis, Dr. Ford and his staff treated me, not just medically, but also from the heart with such love, kindess and compassion that words cannot express my gratitude.
So if you have been sitting in Dr. Ford's waing room and he's late in seeing you, keep in mind the patient he and his staff are with, might have just gotten the same devastating news I did.
Because of their awesome care, I decided to have the surgery done locally and be able to be home to recover. To some this may not be a big deal, but to me it was the only option. God truly answers prayers. This was the second cancer surgery for me. The first time, I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma and was nine months pregnant with my daughter, Ashley. When i got the news from the doctor, there was no compassion, no hugs, no comforting, no tissues, no staff. A compassionate doctor and staff make a big difference in patient treatment. I know it did for me.
It has been a long road but each day gets better and better. I am once again a cancer survivor. I thank God for putting Dr.Ford and his staff in my path and pray God's blessing everyday on each one of them. I want Aroostook County to know that you have a champion in medicine in Dr. Hank Ford.