Marriage is a journey filled with many ups and downs. For Thomas and Patricia Puerling, their 57 year marriage has taken the couple through their own share of both good and difficult times, such as when Patricia was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2012. It was a time filled with uncertainty but the couple drew on their faith and credits the Mission Hope Cancer Center team for Patricia’s treatments. After two surgeries and months of radiation therapy, Patricia is now cancer free.
Unfortunately, this was not the only time the Puerlings would face cancer. Just a few short years after Patricia’s treatment, Thomas was diagnosed with rectal cancer. After seeing the quality of care his wife received at Mission Hope Cancer Center, Thomas felt compelled to also seek care, treatment, and support services at Mission Hope Cancer Center. Thomas underwent concurrent chemotherapy and radiation plus two surgeries, and he too is now in remission.
The Puerlings understand how fortunate they are to have a comprehensive state-of-the-art cancer center in their own community. Their message as the 2017 ambassadors for Day of Hope is simple – hope. Thomas notes, “We want other people to know that they can have a positive outcome to a cancer diagnosis. If we can just give one person hope, it’s worth it.”